Okemos Education Foundation

2003 RECIPIENTS OF "COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE" AWARD

Rachel Freeman taught in West Bloomfield for a year before being lured home in 1999 to teach at her alma mater, Okemos High School. Rachel is currently teaching Literature and Composition, Expository Writing, and The Impact of Nonfiction, an innovative course that combines reading and community service learning.
An active participant in the Okemos High School community, Rachel serves as the ACTION (All Connecting to Improve Our Neighborhoods) advisor, encouraging and mentoring students who volunteer at soup kitchens and nursing homes, assist elderly residents with yard work, and coach special education children.
Rachel received her B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Michigan, and an M.A. in Educational Administration from Michigan State University. Rachel resides in Okemos with her dog.

Barb Kissling has taught 6th grade math and science at Kinawa since 1988. Previously, she taught math and science in Warren, and substituted in the East Lansing and Okemos school districts. Barb earned her bachelor’s degree from Valparaiso University, and her master’s equivalency from Michigan State University.
Barb also mentors new teachers, holds in-service programs, and supervises student interns. She has been a valuable member of OPS committees and teams including the Okemos Core Team, and the Kinawa Building Planning Team. Active in state and national math and science organizations, Barb received a grant from Toyota in 2002 to integrate the Ingham County Home Cemetery into her 6th grade team curriculum.
Barb and her husband, Tom, live in Okemos, where their three children were educated.

Linda Gregorian has taught 5th Grade Strings in the Okemos Public Schools since 1994. Linda earned her Bachelor of Music degree from Michigan State University and her Master of Music degree from the University of Evansville. She has also taught for the Okemos Suzuki program, the New England Music Camp, and the Blue Lake Suzuki Family Camp. Two years ago Linda instituted the Spartan Strings Buddy program and the OHS Strings Buddy program, pairing university and high school students with 5th graders for one-on-one tutoring sessions.
Linda is currently teaching one 6th grade Orchestra class at Chippewa Middle School in addition to the 5th grade strings program. Linda and her husband, Leon Gregorian, have three grown children, all musicians.

Charles Meddaugh teaches technology at Kinawa Middle School. He received his B.S. from Western Michigan University and completed advanced course work at Eastern Michigan University, Central Michigan University, and Grand Valley State University. Prior to teaching in Okemos, Chuck taught in Mason and at Lansing Community College.
Chuck is a long-time member of the Michigan Industrial/Technology Education Society. He is active in the Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) and has presented workshops on technology use in the classroom at the MACUL convention.
Mr. Meddaugh is Kinawa’s yearbook advisor, technical director of the school play, and serves on the Okemos District Technology Committee.

Sue Hallman is a fifth grade teacher at Bennett Woods Elementary School. She taught first in Detroit, and joined the Okemos Public Schools as a fourth grade teacher in 1995. Sue has served on a variety of committees including the School Improvement Team, and both the school and District Technology Committees. For the past seven years Sue has served as a co-adviser of the student group, Caring Leaders, fourth and fifth grade students who do the morning news as well as community/school projects.
Sue earned her B.A. and M.A. from Michigan State University and is a faithful Spartan fan. She and her husband, Dave, have lived in Okemos for 19 years. They have three children, all of whom have gone through Okemos Schools.

Dianna Long is a fifth grade teacher at Bennett Woods Elementary School. She has taught fourth and fifth grade at Bennett Woods, and fourth grade at Central. This is her thirteenth year with the Okemos Public Schools. Dianna has been on several curriculum committees, and is currently serving on the School Improvement Team. She is the teacher liaison for MSU’s Education Department, and is the OEA Building Representative. Dianna was a finalist for the Science Teacher of the Year award during the 2001 - 2002 school year. She earned a B.S. in Psychology, and her Teacher Education Certification from Michigan State University.
Dianna and her husband, Dave, live in Okemos. They have two sons, both of whom graduated from OHS.

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	*Rachel Freeman* taught in West Bloomfield for a year before being lured home in 1999 to teach at her alma mater, Okemos High School. Rachel is currently teaching Literature and Composition, Expository Writing, and The Impact of Nonfiction, an innovative course that combines reading and community service learning. An active participant in the Okemos High School community, Rachel serves as the ACTION (All Connecting to Improve Our Neighborhoods) advisor, encouraging and mentoring students who volunteer at soup kitchens and nursing homes, assist elderly residents with yard work, and coach special education children. Rachel received her B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Michigan, and an M.A. in Educational Administration from Michigan State University. Rachel resides in Okemos with her dog.		*Barb Kissling* has taught 6th grade math and science at Kinawa since 1988. Previously, she taught math and science in Warren, and substituted in the East Lansing and Okemos school districts. Barb earned her bachelor’s degree from Valparaiso University, and her master’s equivalency from Michigan State University. Barb also mentors new teachers, holds in-service programs, and supervises student interns. She has been a valuable member of OPS committees and teams including the Okemos Core Team, and the Kinawa Building Planning Team. Active in state and national math and science organizations, Barb received a grant from Toyota in 2002 to integrate the Ingham County Home Cemetery into her 6th grade team curriculum. Barb and her husband, Tom, live in Okemos, where their three children were educated.

	*Linda Gregorian* has taught 5th Grade Strings in the Okemos Public Schools since 1994. Linda earned her Bachelor of Music degree from Michigan State University and her Master of Music degree from the University of Evansville. She has also taught for the Okemos Suzuki program, the New England Music Camp, and the Blue Lake Suzuki Family Camp. Two years ago Linda instituted the Spartan Strings Buddy program and the OHS Strings Buddy program, pairing university and high school students with 5th graders for one-on-one tutoring sessions. Linda is currently teaching one 6th grade Orchestra class at Chippewa Middle School in addition to the 5th grade strings program. Linda and her husband, Leon Gregorian, have three grown children, all musicians.		*Charles Meddaugh* teaches technology at Kinawa Middle School. He received his B.S. from Western Michigan University and completed advanced course work at Eastern Michigan University, Central Michigan University, and Grand Valley State University. Prior to teaching in Okemos, Chuck taught in Mason and at Lansing Community College. Chuck is a long-time member of the Michigan Industrial/Technology Education Society. He is active in the Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) and has presented workshops on technology use in the classroom at the MACUL convention. Mr. Meddaugh is Kinawa’s yearbook advisor, technical director of the school play, and serves on the Okemos District Technology Committee.

	*Sue Hallman* is a fifth grade teacher at Bennett Woods Elementary School. She taught first in Detroit, and joined the Okemos Public Schools as a fourth grade teacher in 1995. Sue has served on a variety of committees including the School Improvement Team, and both the school and District Technology Committees. For the past seven years Sue has served as a co-adviser of the student group, Caring Leaders, fourth and fifth grade students who do the morning news as well as community/school projects. Sue earned her B.A. and M.A. from Michigan State University and is a faithful Spartan fan. She and her husband, Dave, have lived in Okemos for 19 years. They have three children, all of whom have gone through Okemos Schools.		Dianna Long is a fifth grade teacher at Bennett Woods Elementary School. She has taught fourth and fifth grade at Bennett Woods, and fourth grade at Central. This is her thirteenth year with the Okemos Public Schools. Dianna has been on several curriculum committees, and is currently serving on the School Improvement Team. She is the teacher liaison for MSU’s Education Department, and is the OEA Building Representative. Dianna was a finalist for the Science Teacher of the Year award during the 2001 - 2002 school year. She earned a B.S. in Psychology, and her Teacher Education Certification from Michigan State University. Dianna and her husband, Dave, live in Okemos. They have two sons, both of whom graduated from OHS.