Okemos Education Foundation

2005 RECIPIENTS OF "COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE" AWARD

Kelly Carrier has taught physical science and biology at Okemos High School for seven years. During this time he has also served as an assistant junior varsity and varsity football coach. He has been a member of the National Teachers Association, the Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning, and the Michigan Science Teachers Association, from whom he received the Teacher of Promise award in 2002. The award is given to outstanding educators in the field of science who are in the first three years of their career. He also provides technology instruction for teachers and
students at the Ingham Intermediate School District.

Kelly received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Michigan State University.He also served 12 years in the Michigan Army National Guard.

Kelly lives with his wife Mary and three children in Okemos.

Jennifer Eddy is in her seventh year with the Okemos Public Schools and is currently teaching third grade at Cornell Elementary. Previously, she taught at Edgewood Elementary after teaching in the Holt Public School district.

Jennifer has been involved with various school committees and currently serves on the School Improvement Committee and the District Assessment Learning Committee. She was also involved with developing the BIG History and BIG Zoo lessons that are utilized by classrooms throughout the Mid-Michigan area. Jennifer is involved with mentoring interns from CMU and MSU.

Jennifer earned her B.S. in Elementary Education from Ball State University and her M.A. in Education from Marygrove College. She resides in Okemos with her husband, Joel, and their two children.

Bob Greenhoe has been principal of Central Elementary School for the past six years. Previously, he taught technology education at both middle schools and served as assistant principal at Kinawa. Bob began his career with
Okemos Schools as a student teacher in 1989.

During the past two years, Bob has provided leadership both to the district’s growing Montessori program and to Central’s excellent traditional education program. He also provides direction and oversight of district level professional development in the area of technology.

In 1989, Bob earned his bachelor’s degree in Technology Education from Eastern Michigan University and was president of the Technology Education Collegiate Association. He completed his master’s degree in K-12 Educational Administration at Michigan State University in 1999.

Bob and his wife, Heidi, a Chippewa Middle School teacher, reside in DeWitt and have three wonderful children. Bob enjoys spending time with his family and exercising outdoors.

Donna Kregelka has taught at Kinawa Middle School for 21 years. She has taught special education, sixth grade, and for the last nine years has had the privilege of teaching U.S. history. Donna is grateful for the opportunity to teach what she loves and about which she feels passionate.

An active faculty member, Donna’s involvement with student council has been especially dear to her heart. She feels fortunate to work with students who lead the school in numerous community service activities, including Valentines for Veterans, holiday activities for families and seniors, and food drives.

Donna’s husband, Garry, is a former Michigan State Police commander and is now an attorney with Bodwin and Fuzak in East Lansing.

Maureen McKelvey has been teaching in Okemos since 1985 when she joined the staff at Cornell Elementary School, teaching kindergarten. In 1989 she became part of the original Hiawatha staff, where she continues to teach kindergarten.

Maureen obtained her bachelor’s degree in Humanities from the University of Detroit, where she was awarded the Dean’s Key in 1967. She earned her master’s degree in early Elementary Education from Eastern Michigan University.

Maureen has served on many curriculum committees and is currently chair of Hiawatha’s School Improvement Committee. She has mentored numerous interns and kindergarten teachers while teaching in Okemos.

Maureen and her husband Dan have resided in Okemos for 30 years. They were active in many parent organizations while their four children, attended Okemos schools. They enjoy traveling to Colorado, Boston, Flagstaff, and Charleston to visit their children and their granddaughter.

Ivy Schmidt is currently teaching first through third grade students at Edgewood. She joined the Montessori program after teaching fifth grade at Wardcliff and attaining her accreditation from Midwest Montessori Teacher Training Center in Chicago. Additionally, Ivy has earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Michigan State University.

Ivy has served the Okemos educational community by mentoring new teachers, participating in numerous activities and committees, as well as starting an environmental club for students. She enjoys creating links between the school and the community through many mediums. Ivy’s involvement in education extends beyond the Okemos community. She is active in both state and national organizations.

Ivy and her husband, Larry, share many interests outside of school. They enjoy a plethora of animals at home and like to travel when time permits. They have served as foster parents and hope to adopt a child in the future.

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	Kelly Carrier has taught physical science and biology at Okemos High School for seven years. During this time he has also served as an assistant junior varsity and varsity football coach. He has been a member of the National Teachers Association, the Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning, and the Michigan Science Teachers Association, from whom he received the Teacher of Promise award in 2002. The award is given to outstanding educators in the field of science who are in the first three years of their career. He also provides technology instruction for teachers and students at the Ingham Intermediate School District. Kelly received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Michigan State University.He also served 12 years in the Michigan Army National Guard. Kelly lives with his wife Mary and three children in Okemos.		Jennifer Eddy is in her seventh year with the Okemos Public Schools and is currently teaching third grade at Cornell Elementary. Previously, she taught at Edgewood Elementary after teaching in the Holt Public School district. Jennifer has been involved with various school committees and currently serves on the School Improvement Committee and the District Assessment Learning Committee. She was also involved with developing the BIG History and BIG Zoo lessons that are utilized by classrooms throughout the Mid-Michigan area. Jennifer is involved with mentoring interns from CMU and MSU. Jennifer earned her B.S. in Elementary Education from Ball State University and her M.A. in Education from Marygrove College. She resides in Okemos with her husband, Joel, and their two children.

	Bob Greenhoe has been principal of Central Elementary School for the past six years. Previously, he taught technology education at both middle schools and served as assistant principal at Kinawa. Bob began his career with Okemos Schools as a student teacher in 1989. During the past two years, Bob has provided leadership both to the district’s growing Montessori program and to Central’s excellent traditional education program. He also provides direction and oversight of district level professional development in the area of technology. In 1989, Bob earned his bachelor’s degree in Technology Education from Eastern Michigan University and was president of the Technology Education Collegiate Association. He completed his master’s degree in K-12 Educational Administration at Michigan State University in 1999. Bob and his wife, Heidi, a Chippewa Middle School teacher, reside in DeWitt and have three wonderful children. Bob enjoys spending time with his family and exercising outdoors.		Donna Kregelka has taught at Kinawa Middle School for 21 years. She has taught special education, sixth grade, and for the last nine years has had the privilege of teaching U.S. history. Donna is grateful for the opportunity to teach what she loves and about which she feels passionate. An active faculty member, Donna’s involvement with student council has been especially dear to her heart. She feels fortunate to work with students who lead the school in numerous community service activities, including Valentines for Veterans, holiday activities for families and seniors, and food drives. Donna’s husband, Garry, is a former Michigan State Police commander and is now an attorney with Bodwin and Fuzak in East Lansing.

	Maureen McKelvey has been teaching in Okemos since 1985 when she joined the staff at Cornell Elementary School, teaching kindergarten. In 1989 she became part of the original Hiawatha staff, where she continues to teach kindergarten. Maureen obtained her bachelor’s degree in Humanities from the University of Detroit, where she was awarded the Dean’s Key in 1967. She earned her master’s degree in early Elementary Education from Eastern Michigan University. Maureen has served on many curriculum committees and is currently chair of Hiawatha’s School Improvement Committee. She has mentored numerous interns and kindergarten teachers while teaching in Okemos. Maureen and her husband Dan have resided in Okemos for 30 years. They were active in many parent organizations while their four children, attended Okemos schools. They enjoy traveling to Colorado, Boston, Flagstaff, and Charleston to visit their children and their granddaughter.		Ivy Schmidt is currently teaching first through third grade students at Edgewood. She joined the Montessori program after teaching fifth grade at Wardcliff and attaining her accreditation from Midwest Montessori Teacher Training Center in Chicago. Additionally, Ivy has earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Michigan State University. Ivy has served the Okemos educational community by mentoring new teachers, participating in numerous activities and committees, as well as starting an environmental club for students. She enjoys creating links between the school and the community through many mediums. Ivy’s involvement in education extends beyond the Okemos community. She is active in both state and national organizations. Ivy and her husband, Larry, share many interests outside of school. They enjoy a plethora of animals at home and like to travel when time permits. They have served as foster parents and hope to adopt a child in the future.