MEET OUR INCREDIBLE STAFF
GARY STUTZMAN: School Leader / CAO
Gary Stutzman was born and raised in Charlevoix. he graduated from Charlevoix High School and received his Bachelor and Master of Music Education degrees from Northern Michigan University.
His first teaching job was at Flint Northern High School where he directed the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, and was the director of the orchestra for two musicals. He then became the assistant Director of Bands for the Charlevoix Public Schools along with his mentor and former teacher C.A. Odmark. While working as the assistant director of bands, he also became the head Track & Field coach for the Charlevoix Rayders. After six years as the assistant to Mr. Odmark, Gary took on the position of Director of Bands at CHS. The Charlevoix Bands had a rich tradition and a history of high honors for all aspects of their program. In the fall of 1979, an opportunity in professional fundraising presented itself and Gary took the opportunity to move west to Colorado and start up a brand new territory in schools across southeast Colorado. The sales position took Gary to hundreds of schools throughout southeastern Colorado and then after six years, the company relocated him back to Michigan.
While he lived in Grand Haven, Gary found that schools in Northern Michigan seemed to hunger more for the type of programs he offered so he found himself working more in Northern Michigan and eventually a job in Harbor Springs for his wife brought the couple full circle back to Northern Michigan.
After ten years in the fundraising industry, Gary was looking to get back into the teaching rands when a member of the board of Northwest Academy called and asked if he would be interested in teaching again. That is all it took and the rest is history.
The Northwest Academy bands are regarded as some of the finest small bands to grace the stage in Northern Michigan. The bands have traveled to England, Colorado, and throughout the midwest. The NWA Jazz Band is hired on a regular basis to perform at private parties, weddings, concerts and benefits of all kinds. For the past ten years, several individual band members have qualified for State Solo & Ensemble Competition and the large groups have qualified for seven years for the State Band and Orchestra Festival.
In fall 2006, Gary took on Co-Administrative duties at NWA and this past summer was named by the board of directors as Chief Administrative Officer and School Leader.
There are many new and exciting things taking place at NWA as we continue to grow and begin to work on our long range goals and plans for the next five years. Our staff is eager to serve the youth of our communities and our small size and our personal commitment to each student's needs, keeps our bar raised high.
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CINDY ROMERO: Dean of Academics & Spanish/Art Teacher
Cindy Romero was born and raised in Charlevoix County. She graduated from East Jordan High School. She has a bachelor's degree with a major in Spanish and a minor in art, as well as a Master's degree in Administration from Grand Valley State University. Cindy also had the opportunity to live in Mexico and attend the Universidad de las Americas, studying Spanish and Art.
Cindy taught high school Spanish in Harbor Springs for two years before joining Northwest Academy as Spanish and Art teacher for six years and for the last three years in administrative work.
During summer vacation, Cindy likes to sail on Lake Charlevoix. You can find her on her Catalina 22.
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MICHELLE UTLEY: Middle Elementary Teacher
Michelle Utley is an elementary certified teacher with a ZA endorsement and a minor in Language Arts and an emphasis in reading. She is currently enrolled in a Special Education program to become certified to work with cognitively impaired / Early Childhood developmentally delayed students. This will be her ninth year at Northwest Academy.
She is a mother of four: Murial, Seth, Christopher, and Jeremiah, and has one granddaughter, Adrianna.
Michelle is always looking for every opportunity to integrate curriculum with hands-on projects, and this has allowed her to help every student succed academically.
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PHOEBE GOHS: Early Elementary Teacher
Phoebe graduated from Spring Arbor University with a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree, and is currently enrolled in CMU's Master of Arts in Reading and Literacy K-12 program.
Her early elementary program is designed to focus on individual children. Students are active participants in their education, and are encouraged to explore ideas and concepts through guided, hands-on lessons. Our literacy program includes skills-based practice and a whole language approach to literacy development. We build on prior experience to engage students in literacy activities throughout the curriculum.
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MATT SAUNDERS: Upper Elementary Teacher
[Biography coming soon...]
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SUE KISSINGER: School To Work Coordinator & Resource Teacher
Sue has a Bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and a Master's degree from the University of Michigan and has taught for many, many years. The last nine have been at Northwest Academy. She and her husband, an architect, live nearby in Norwood Township. All four of their children are grown, have married and have blessed them with seven grandchildren. All that experience, her listening ability and her patience are personal strengths that help her in her job. She loves to see the untapped potential in her students blossom as they grow in confidence. She works with the children K-12 and enjoys each and every student.
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KARL REDMER: Social Studies Teacher
As a resident of Northern Michigan for most of his life, Karl Redmer is excited to be making a difference in the lives of the youth at Northwest Academy. He has been teaching Social Studies and Art here for three years and during that time programs and curriculums have made great progress and enrollment has been climbing as a result.
Karl is a graduate of East Jordan High School, and attended Olivet College as an undergraduate and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan - Flint, as a part of his educational experience. In 2003, he returned to Northern Michigan and currently he lives in East Jordan with his wife of eight years, Becky and his three sons, Garett, Brady and Isaac.
His real passion for life right now is working with today's youth. Karl says the environment and overall experience here at Northwest Academy has been very rewarding. With our recent progress and the combination of quality staff and students, the future is looking bright!
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KRIS RASMUSSEN: English Teacher
Kris Rasmussen graduated from Michigan State University with a B.A. in Humanities and Masters degree from Ferris State University in Education. She was born and raised in northern Michigan and this will be her third year teaching at Northwest Academy. In addition to devoting her time to teaching, she is a published playwright, author, and freelance journalist.
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JOAN VINE: K-12 Spanish/German Teacher
Joan Vine lives in Charlevoix with her husband, a structural engineer, and their two dogs. She taught Foreign Languages in Indian River for five years and has been working with NWA for three years in various capacities. Her favorite is teaching Spanish and German. She keeps busy at night mentoring teens for the court system and learning French at NCMC.
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SUE METZGER: Math Teacher
After leaving Grand Haven High School with over twenty years of teaching in western Michigan, Sue considers herself very fortunate and blessed to be teaching mathematics in grades 7-12 at Northwest Academy. The courses offered range from pre-algebra to functions, statistics and trigonometry. The small class sizes enable students to learn concepts through hands-on experiences.
Graduating from Hope College with a B.A. and earning two masters in education (from Grand Valley State University and Western Michigan University), Sue has been a presenter at several national math conferences and department chairperson at the schools at which she has been employed. Presently, she is also test coordinator of Northwest Academy and a member of the school improvement team.
Sue would like to welcome you to Northwest Academy. She says it is an honor and privilege to teach here. "The school environment is one of learning and care."
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SHELLY BRYA: Science Teacher
"There is no better place for me than Northwest Academy," is what Shelly Brya said last fall when she accepted her first teaching position and she truly believes there is no better place for your child to learn and grow!
She has been a resident of Northern Michigan for 12 years and currently lives in Charlevoix with her husband, Denny, 3 year old daughter, Lily, and their pets.
Shelly and Denny will be parents for a second time this fall when they welcome their son Hayden home from Guatemala.
Her love of science took her from a 10+ year career in Public Health back to Ferris State University to complete her teaching certificate. Her teaching major is Biology and her minor is General Science.
Northwest Academy is proud to offer the following courses based on the most current high school content expectations mandated by the Michigan Department of Education: Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Health Science, Physical Science, Earth Science, Anatomy & Physiology, and Michigan Environmental Science.
Shelly is very excited about the 2007-2008 school year and welcomes you and your child to the Northwest Academy family!
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CHRIS WAY: Gym Teacher
Chris Way graduated from Central Michigan University with a physical education degree and a minor in art and coaching. While in college, Chris played basketball and softball. She worked with elementary students and directed a swimming program in Brighton, an experience enabling her to teach swimming and water safety to our students at Northwest Academy.
She has also had experience coaching basketball, volleyball and swimming at Michigan Tech University in the PE department. While there, she designed aerobic classes and was head volleyball coach.
This year, Chris plans to offer volleyball for sixth and seventh grade students.
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DON NEIDERT: Music Teacher
Don Neidert graduated from Central Michigan University in 1973 with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. He has taught music for 29 years at all grade levels in public schools in Michigan, including Caseville, Davison, Port Huron, East Jordan, and Charlevoix St. Mary's. All three of his Orff-Skulwek certification classes were completed through Western Michigan University. He has also done various movement workshops through High Scope Foundation and at Beaver Island.
Don has been director of music/organist for three local area churches. He is also the music director for the Spring Musical each year in East Jordn. He also plays professionally in the summer for the Belvedere Club and Chicago Club.
Don has worked during the 2002-2005 school years with Northwest Acadment. He assisted with solo and ensemble events and substituted for various teachers. He is truly excited to be working in an environment where he can utilize his Orff-Skulwerk background and working with elementary school children. He embraces the charter school concept and thinks it is especially effective using the performing arts as a basis for the curriculum.
Orff-Skulwerk is named after the 20th century German composer Carl Orff and the Skulwerk is German for school work. It incorporates children's games, various percussion instruments, Solfege, and a large emphasis on movement. It is very child-centered, with children often accompanying themselves in their singing.
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