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Spring 2010:
2007 Commitment to Excellence Award Recipients
Kathy Ault, 2007 "Commitment to Excellence" Award Recipient
Kathy Ault is a special education teacher in the Resource Room of Central Elementary School. She also taught special needs students at Bennett Woods Elementary and Edgewood Montessori. She joined the Okemos district in 1994 and earlier taught for a year with the L’Anse Creuse District in Mt. Clemens and nine years at Greenwood Elementary School in Grand Ledge. She has served as a teacher on several committees including Central’s Social Committee, the Wellness Committee, and the OEA Public Relations Committee.Mrs. Ault received her Bachelor of Arts in elementary and special education in 1977 and Masters of Arts in education with an endorsement in learning disabilities, both from Michigan State University. Kathy performed community service with the Junior League of Lansing, the Hiawatha PTO, OHS Athletic Boosters, OHS Band Boosters and the Capital Area Literacy Coalition. Kathy and her husband Jim are the proud parents of three recent OHS graduates: Jenny (2001), Andrew (2003), and Julie (2006).
Christine Bielski, 2007 "Commitment to Excellence" Award Recipient
Christine Bielski has a passion for service and learning. She graduated with an Ohio and Montessori (6-9) Teaching degree from Xavier University in 1998 and lived in Nepal, Asia as a volunteer teacher for two years. As a volunteer through Jesuit Volunteer International (JVI), Christine quickly learned the importance of serving the needs of younger children. Christine taught in a private Montessori school in Ann Arbor and then came to Okemos in 2004. She received her Michigan and an additional Montessori (9-12) teaching certificate, and she began her exciting career at Okemos Public Montessori as our first upper elementary teacher. As the program moved to Edgewood, Christine moved to the lower elementary environment, where she now teaches in a 1st-3rd grade classroom. Christine is the supervisor for Edgewood Public Montessori's Student Council and serves on the School Improvement Team. Christine believes in teaching her students the value of community service and respecting those within our small and larger community.
Christine lives in DeWitt, near her fiancé, and volunteers within the community.
Sue Messé, 2007 "Commitment to Excellence" Award Recipient
Sue Messé is one of the several school psychologists that serve our district. She works as part of a team that gathers information about students' abilities and builds educational plans that best serve their needs. When she is not working directly with the students, she collaborates and consults with those who sustain more direct contact with them. Sue did her undergraduate work at Northwestern University. She worked as an elementary school teacher for 3 years before pausing to have her three incredible sons, who have since given her three delightful daughters-in-law and five delicious grandchildren. She returned to graduate school at Michigan State University. She has worked as a school psychologist, and in private practice, since 1977. She feels incredibly fortunate to have known so many wonderful colleagues, students and families. She wishes to say "Thank you for all of these blessings".
Teresa Olson, 2007 "Commitment to Excellence" Award Recipient
Teresa G. Olson is the Begindergarten/Young 5's teacher in the Okemos Public School District. This is a district-wide program that is housed at Bennett Woods. Mrs. Olson has been the Begindergarten teacher since the program began in the fall of 2001. Prior to that Mrs. Olson was a kindergarten and first grade teacher in the district. Before beginning her teaching career in Okemos she was a kindergarten and first grade teacher in Leslie for 13 years. This school year began her 31st year as an Early Elementary teacher.Mrs. Olson received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern Michigan University and a Masters of Arts from Michigan State University. Mrs. Olson is from a family of teachers. In fact- her inspiration to become a teacher came from her mother who was her kindergarten teacher.
Mrs. Olson is married to Gary S. Olson who is Director of the Senate Fiscal Agency.
Mrs. Olson's many interests include ‘school work', traveling, walking, running, hiking, cross-country skiing, reading and watching the sunsets from her 2nd home on Lake Michigan.
Colleen Palmer, 2007 "Commitment to Excellence" Award Recipient
Colleen Palmer teaches Biology and Advanced Placement Biology at Okemos High School. She has been at the high school since 1991. During this time Colleen has reached out in an attempt to encourage more students to pursue advanced study in science. She has coached Science Olympiad and is a presenter at the annual Girls Math and Science conference in Lansing. In the summer, she is a Genetics and Biotechnology instructor for a Math/Science/Technology program at Michigan State University. She is a member of Michigan Science Teachers Association and attends annual conferences for teachers of advanced placement classes. Colleen received her Bachelor of Science degree and teaching certificate from Central Michigan University. She resides in Okemos with her husband Paul and their three children, an 8th grader at Chippewa Middle School and twin 4th graders at Bennett Woods Elementary. Outside of teaching, Colleen enjoys attending her children's athletic events and training for 5K races.
Christena Sinila, 2007 "Commitment to Excellence" Award Recipient
Christena Sinila is a fourth grade teacher at Cornell Elementary School. This is her 10th year of teaching for Okemos Schools and her 12th year as an educator. She spent four years at Edgewood Elementary teaching 4th and 5th grade and has enjoyed the past 6 years at Cornell. Her passion is keeping children at the heart. She lives this by serving on numerous committees, providing professional development sessions, acting as a new teacher mentor, researching and implementing best educational practice, leading student council and most recently volunteering in her son's classroom as Picture Person, an art appreciation program generously supported by OEF grants. Christena has earned both her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Masters of Arts in Educational Leadership from Michigan State University. She and husband Mark are proud parents of two children. Their oldest attends kindergarten at Cornell, just like his dad did some thirty years ago. Their two year old daughter is anxious to become a Cornell Cougar like the rest of her family.
Tiffany Tuchek, 2007 "Commitment to Excellence" Award Recipient
Tiffany Tuchek is a fourth grade teacher at Cornell Elementary School. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Michigan State University, with minors in science and social studies. Tiffany began her teaching career 19 years ago, and has been a part of the Okemos School District for the past 16 years. Tiffany has taught kindergarten through fifth grade and has always been willing to embrace new approaches to educating students. She has taught two grade levels in one classroom, looped with her students from one grade level to the next, and is currently engaged in rotating academic instruction with her teammate.
Tiffany and her husband, Bob, consider themselves newly weds of four years and are the proud parents of a blended family with four children. Her favorite activities include yoga classes, bike riding, taking continuing education courses, attending Okemos High School band and sporting events, and enjoying relaxing trips with her family.