Chirp Sheet
Singing the praises of our DCS students and staff 9-15/23
High School Teacher of the Year
Davison High School teacher Caleb Goncz was named as the 2026-27 High School Teacher of the Year.
Caleb is the Instrumental Music Director at Davison High School. He received several nominations from parents and students. One wrote:
"I recently joined a band class at the beginning of the school year after starting playing trumpet in May 2025 for marching band. Joining the marching band, where members are generally expected to have prior musical experience, was slightly frightening since I was a completely new player. Despite my lack of experience, Mr. Goncz immediately welcomed me into band and really sparked my passion for music. Mr. Goncz has continued to immensely help and support me since the marching band season. Joining band was definitely the best decision I have ever made, and Mr. Goncz facilitating such a comfortable environment in which I thrive and demonstrating amazing teaching truly contributed to that."
Nominees for this year's High School Teacher of the Year award included:
- Jodi Aboneeaj
- Shane Alderson
- Amanda Bailey
- Jody Baldridge
- Kasey Baryo
- Rob Belprez
- Thomas Budds
- Leslie Clark
- Brett Coron
- Lauren Crongeyer
- Katie Davis
- Zachary Evans
- Ruth Friske
- Lindsey Gokey
- Caleb Goncz
- Christine Harrison
- Laurie Heath
- Tammy Heavner
- Mary Ignatowski
- Jennifer Johnson
- Emily Judd
- Ryan Kelsey
- Janey McGlashen
- Andrew Michalik
- Amanda Mobley
- Katie Naves
- Raina Palso
- Mark Ragnone
- Helen Rowe
- Pam Ruggiero
- Joan Rusinek
- Alaina Schultz
- Nancy Shultz-Speck
- Amy Sherlock
- Raven Springsteen
- Sarah Somers
- Garth Starr
- Ryan Suchy
- Daniyle Weir
- Colene Wilcox
- James Wilcox
- Mike Williams
- Turina Zimmer
Middle Level Teacher of the Year
Davison Middle School teacher Nate Clark was selected as the Davison Educational Foundation Middle Level Teacher of the Year. Nate teaches special education He received two nominations, one from a parent who wrote:
"Nate has been nothing short of amazing with my son who struggles significantly with his anxiety and ASD. The transition for him to middle school has been, well in layman's terms, very rough. For someone who is a walking ball of anxiety, needs a solid routine, struggles in a crowd, and when worked up is not able to communicate what is wrong, the change to how the middle school operates is quite the challenge. At the beginning of the year we only had Mr. Clark for the last hour of the day. Mr Clark quickly realized that one of the few hours my son was able to physically attend each day was his classroom. He suggested a schedule change to where my son would be with him for pretty much the whole day taking out the need to move around the building to his classes. As the year has progressed and new challenges have surfaced, Mr Clark is always willing to jump in and help find a solution. He helps my son feel safe and secure while also having a deep understanding of the help we need. He is very accommodating and always willing to change up what we need to change to make things better. I honestly don't know how we would have made it through this school year without him!"
Those nominated for Middle Level Teacher of the Year include:
- Jenny Balabon
- Jenna Blake
- Dee Callan
- Jennifer Carnell
- Cody Carson
- Nate Clark
- Joni Clemons
- David Clifford
- Erica Clifford
- Brad Davis
- Sarah DuCap
- Nicholas Eashoo
- Christopher Fahr
- Laura Ferguson
- Janet Green
- Jenifer Green
- Brooke Hamilton
- Gabrielle Hartley
- Shelli Hester-Hyde
- Tiffany Hopper
- Heather Janiga
- Brook Johnson
- Nancy Kerr
- Lisa Knopf
- McKenzie Lange
- Kim Lawrence
- Kerri Major
- Russell Matthews
- Eric Monroe
- Julie Naughton
- Julie Pattee
- Amber Rogers
- Chelsea Saintmarie
- Shawnna Shorkey
- Julie Simonsen
- Sarah Smith-Clark
- Tisha Torres
- Amy Tysick
- Jennifer VanDerMaas
- Matthew Wasson
- Crystal Weekley
- Michelle Wilson
Elementary Teacher of the Year
The Davison Educational Foundation Elementary Teacher of the Year for the 2025-26 school year is Mrs. Kristine White.
Kristine teaches fourth grade at Hill Elementary. She received four nominations. One parent wrote:
"She has a remarkable ability to make every student feel valued, tailoring her teaching so each child can learn in the way that suits them best. Her commitment doesn’t stop at the classroom door—when my daughter asked her to attend a volleyball game as her favorite teacher this year, she showed up, even leaving her own son’s football game to support her student. Teachers like Kristine White are the heart of the Davison school district, and in our household, she will always be Teacher of the Year."
Nominees for the Elementary Teacher of the Year included:
- Michele Alexander, Thomson Elementary
- Mariah Bailey, GSRP
- Amanda Barrett, Gates Elementary
- Mandy Barrett, Siple Elementary
- Alicia Bautista, GSRP
- Amy Baxter, Gates Elementary
- Andrea Bell, Thomson Elementary
- Kristen Bluhm, Siple Elementary
- Jacqueline Brisbin, Central Elementary
- Jacqueline Campbell, Siple Elementary
- Jodee Collick, Gates Elementary
- Megan Colmer, Siple Elementary
- Amanda Crowl, Central Elementary
- Stephen Culbert, Gates Elementary
- Rachel Cummings, Siple Elementary
- Kayla Driskell, Siple Elementary
- Sarah Driskill, Thomson Elementary
- Alicia Eaton, Siple Elementary
- Kelly Fritz, Siple Elementary
- Jeane Fulcher, Hill Elementary
- Brad Fuson, Gates Elementary
- Abigail Ganabathi, Thomson Elementary
- Marie Glenn, Central Elementary
- Michaela Graham, Central Elementary
- Jamie Hadding, Gates Elementary
- Jody Halverson, Hill Elementary
- Sara Harris, Thomson Elementary
- Crystal Hoganson, Central Elementary
- Dana Johnson, Gates Elementary
- Cami Jones, Cardinal’s Nest
- Gessica LaRocque, GSRP
- Melvina Lightfoot, Gates Elementary
- Rachel Lewandowski, GSRP
- Gwen Lindsey, Central Elementary
- Leandra Lints, Thomson Elementary
- Staci Maule, Hill Elementary
- Andrea McDunnah, Central Elementary
- Whitney McKenna, Siple Elementary
- Ben Montgomery, Central Elementary
- Mary Naranjo, Gates Elementary
- Katie Nowakowski, Gates Elementary
- Suzie Richards, Hill Elementary
- Angie Rogers, Cardinal's Nest
- Becky Romzek, Central Elementary
- Ashley Romine, Central Elementary
- Mrs. Becky Romzek, Central Elementary
- Kelly Ryckaert, Gates Elementary
- Alexis Schaepkens, Hill Elementary
- Kristy Schwabauer, Siple Elementary
- Jordan Seymour, Central Elementary
- Caitlin Smith, Thomson Elementary
- Jennifer Starr, Siple Elementary
- Teri Steinhaus, Gates Elementary
- Stephanie Sudz, Gates Elementary
- Amanda Tanner, GSRP
- Angelique Thompson, Siple Elementary
- Erica Thwing-Medbery, Gates Elementary
- Julie VanEvery, Hill Elementary
- Robin Waite, Thomson Elementary
- Meredith Wheatley, Thomson Elementary
- Sydney Wheeler, Thomson Elementary
- Kristine White, Hill Elementary
- Emily Williams, Thomson Elementary
- Carol Wilson, Gates Elementary
Support Person of the Year
The Davison Educational Foundation's Support Person of the Year award goes to Ms. Rebecca Holt.
Becky received an astounding 12 nominations! She works for three buildings in the district, not only playing piano (which would be enough), but building relationships with every student she comes in contact with, assisting teachers with auditions, group work, field trips, combined rehearsals, working with substitutes, and celebrations. Over and above the call of duty, she organizes the music library and performance robes and uniforms at both DMS and DHS (which is a TASK), accompanies band and orchestra students for Solo and Ensemble competitions, plays in the pit for the high school musical AND announces the high school soccer games.
One of the individuals who nominated Becky wrote:
"Ms. Holt’s extraordinary dedication to the music programs in Davison has positively influenced countless students and staff members over the years. From Hahn Vocal Music concerts to Davison Middle School choir performances throughout the greater Davison Community, as well as Davison High School concerts, festivals, musicals, and special performances, Ms. Holt is a constant and dependable presence in the lives of student musicians. She accompanies every vocal music concert for students in grades 5 through 12, dedicating countless hours to rehearsals, preparation, and performances. No matter how demanding the schedule may be, she approaches every event with enthusiasm and poise. Her dedication extends far beyond what is expected, demonstrating her deep passion for supporting student achievement in the arts. Ms. Holt is also deeply committed to helping students grow individually as musicians. She generously provides accompaniment for students participating in Solo & Ensemble Festival competitions, often spending extra time rehearsing with them to help them feel prepared and confident. Her encouragement helps students overcome nerves, refine their performance skills, and take pride in their accomplishments."
The nominees for Support Person of the Year included:
Melissa Allen
Stephanie Barnes
Arin Bennett
Christina Brady
Samantha Brantley
Amy Brewer
Cora Brewer
Taylor Brooks
Karie Bruce
Armand Carmona
Fay Carmona
Crystal Chambers
Jennifer Chambers
John Cheeney
Taylor Coffeen
Shiela Colley
Caroline Dahl
Denise Delay
Dave Desjardin
David Disney
Kim Dortman
Rene Duckworth
Dan Figgins
Desirae Flores
Barb Gagnon
Jennifer Gekeler
Ashley Gidcumb
Tracy Hackman
Hill Elementary RISE Team - Julie Buzzell, Kim Badger, Christine Phillips, Jennifer Wilson
Glenda Hipes
Jamie Hobbs
Tammy Hoffa
Rebecca Holt
Steve Howe
Lisa Hughes
Judy Humphrey-Bernard
Christen Kopp
Jenni Leask
Jerome LeFlore
Tracy Loomis
Kelsey Marino
Stephen Maule
Kayla Meyer
Jessica Minto
Mark Morey
Jeff Oaks
Amber O’Callahan
Pam Osgood
Nicole Owen
Megan Paulus
Rico Pitts
Alexis Porritt
Kelly Porter
Laurie Potter
Marty Quertermous
Heather Richards
Robin Ricica
Travis Rodgers
Laura Rooker
Chanda Rose
Jessica Roy
Tiffany Sayles
April Serr
Renee ShelmanAshley Shuart
Ashton Shustock
Troy Simpson
Heather Smith
Maryanne Spencer
Mark Stone
Jennifer Sullivan
Ashley Sweetman
Hannah Szajna
Janelle Thompson
Michelle Upper
Jill Wilmeth
Anna Winters
Mark Woodfield
Central Elementary Teacher Merissa Legant
Davison High School Teacher Tony Woods
Davison Alternative Education Teacher Michelle Zimmerman
Siple Elementary Teacher Evelyn Harig
Gates Elementary Teachers Faith Fortune, Madison Harvey, Amanda Barrett, Tanya Meinburg and Jamie Hadding
Dispatcher Kim Dortman (left) and Bus Driver Deanna Pollum
Michelle Edwards
Verle Gilbert
Tracy Griggs
Lisa Knopf
Kim Macko
Janey McGlashen
Kelly Pierson
Shawnna Shorkey
Catherine Curl
Greg Oaks
Marie Mata
Tim Andrews
Mark Woodfield
Tonya Rosa
Terry Voight
Kile O'Connor
Monica Martin
Monica is retiring as the Instructional Coach at Central Elementary. She began her teaching career in 1994 as a long-term substitute. She took a break to raise her children and became re-certified in 2006. She came back to DCS as a library paraprofessional before taking a position at the third grade CAP teacher. She also taught third grade in a general education classroom before accepting the position of instructional coach four years ago.
Monica plans to spend more time with her grandkids and family and will be exploring options for this next chapter, waiting to see where the Lord leads her.
Monica is married to Bruce, a retired school superintendent. They have three adult children who are all married - so she has three bonus children as well as four grandchildren and counting …
Monica’s advice to her successor is this: “Always remember that everyone has a story we may not know about - so treat them with lots of love and grace, always assume positive intent.”
Nancy Kerr
Nancy began her career at DCS as a paraprofessional at Gates Elementary during the 2002-03 school year, supporting a second grade and third grade classroom. She was hired as a third grade classroom teacher at Siple Elementary for the 2006-07 school year and taught there for 14 years. She has spent the last six years teaching math to 7th graders at Davison Middle School
Now that she is retiring, Nancy plans to spend more quality time with her nine grandchildren. She also hopes to complete her 28th marathon - the Eugene Marathon in Oregon - and eventually reach her goal of finishing 30 marathons. For fun, Nancy said she would like to learn how to knit or crochet. And someday when she grows up, she would love to work with student teachers, helping them to prepare and support them for the profession we give our all to every day.
Nancy and Joe have been married for 36 years. They have one son, Joseph, and one daughter, Graceson. Joseph is married to Maureen and they live in Bellbrook, Ohio, and have seven of Nancy’s grandchildren: John Paul, Julia, Sebastian, James, Noah, Rose and Grace. Daughter Graceson and her husband, Jason, live in Grand Ledge and have two children: Bryson and Ian.
Nancy leaves this for her successor: “Whoever steps into Room 217 at DMS should truly love math, not just be certified to teach it. My successor should bring enthusiasm for the subject and help students see that math can be fun. Building strong, meaningful relationships with students will also be essential. With that passion and connection, students will soon look forward to math class because math really is fun.
Dr. Josie Paquette
Josie’s entire teaching and administrative career has been at the middle school level. She began her teaching career in 1999 at Algonquin Middle School in Algonac, Michigan, where she taught At-Risk math and science for four years. She was then hired to teach 7th grade math at Davison Middle School on July 1, 2003. Six days later, she eloped to Mexico to marry her husband, Jim. They’ve been married for almost 23 years and have identical twin boys, Sinjin and Tristian, who are 21 years old. Sinjin is studying Computer Engineering and Tristian is studying Computer Science at Grand Valley University. Essentially, the Paquettes have both hardware and software covered!
Since being hired in 2003, Josie has spent her entire Davison career at DMS teaching mostly 8th Grade Earth Science before becoming Assistant Principal for five years and eventually Principal for six and a half years.
Josie’s retirement plans first included detoxing from being on a minute-to-minute bell schedule for decades. With that being accomplished, she is now a snowbird! She just spent the last five months bathing in sunshine in McCormick, South Carolina, and will spend the next six months at her cottage in Hope, Mich. For the last five months, she’s been boating around the lakes of the Savannah River, learning how to play pickleball, golf, and bocce, and trying to teach Ohio transplants that keeping score in euchre means using 5s not 4s ans 6s!. She obviously hasn’t figured out how to slow down but at least it’s doing all the fun things!
Julie Buzzell
Julie is retiring as an Interventionist/Coach at Hill Elementary. She has been a classroom teacher at both Gates and Hill Elementary buildings.
Julie’s retirement plan is to continue “messing around” with real estate investments, design and build her lake house, fine tune her golf game, help her family with life’s adventures, travel from a Tuesday to Tuesday because she can and go to the elusive 10 a.m. workout class to see who actually gets to go to those.
Julie is married to Beau and they have a son, Avery, who is 20, and a daughter, Olivia, is 17.
Her advice to her successor is this: “Since education can be a lot like Michigan weather, just wait five minutes and try to have fun with the changes. These changes are, at the end of the day, what keeps education interesting. It’s how the changes are handled that separates the good ones from the great ones.”
De'Angela Garety-Worrell
De’Angela retired as a second grade teacher at Siple Elementary, a position she held for 23 years. She also taught second and third grades at Central Elementary.
De’Angela retired in September but has been back in the District working as a guest teacher. Next year she will be joining us as a paraprofessional at Hahn Intermediate.
When she’s not working, De’Angela plans include enjoying her family and spending time at the cabin in Wolverine.
De’Angela is married to Ed Worrell, a retired custodian from DCS. Between the two of them, they have four children and 10 grandchildren.
De’Angela’s advice to her successor comes from her greatest mentor: her mother, Delores Garety, who said “Always remember you might be the only kind smile or encouraging words a student gets each day.”
Joe Francis
Joe officially retired last November as the Head Custodian at Hill Elementary but he couldn’t stand to stay away and is back at DCS as the Head Custodian at Hahn Intermediate.
Joe is married to Barbara and has four children: Michael, Jill, Caleb and Brandon. His granddaughter, Zoei, attends Hahn and is his guest, along with his wife, today.
Joe’s advice to his successor is this: “First off, you have hit the jackpot in life. You have the privilege and blessing to work with the best staff anywhere. Second, you get to invest in young lives and love the ones who may not see love anywhere else. Oh, and by the way, you will clean up messes. And lunches. And gross stuff. Laugh and spread joy. Be the happiest toilet tuner in Davison Schools."
Amy Tysick
Amy is retiring as a sixth grade teacher at Hahn Intermediate. Her son is getting married on June 27th, so she will be celebrating that along with her retirement. Amy plans to enjoy the rest of the summer then find a new job and maybe even travel a bit.
Amy is married to Michael. She has two sons, Brenden and Jack and step-sons, Gabe, Gideon and Christian and seven grandchildren.
Kelly Pierson
Kelly’s entire career has been as a second grade teacher. She taught second grade at Siple Elementary since being hired at DCS in August 2001 and, before that, she taught second grade for two years at Pierson Elementary in Flint.
Kelly’s retirement plans are to spend more time with her family. She is looking forward to taking her daughter to college in August. Kelly also serves as the DHS Girls’ Soccer Booster President and looks forward to having more time to devote to that role.
Kelly is married to Jeremy and has two daughters, Lilah and Rowan. Lilah graduated from Davison High School last year and will be heading to MSU in the fall. Rowan will be a sophomore at DHS in the fall.
Tracy Griggs
Tracy began her career at Central Elementary and is ending it there as well, too. She has taught second grade, third grade CAP and, for the last 18 years, third grade.
After retirement, Tracy plans to slow down and enjoy the summer doing the things she loves – golf, pool time, reading, going to the lake, boating, concerts and spending time with her family and friends all over the state of Michigan. What happens after that is not completely planned out yet, but she hopes to be relaxing and enjoying time with family and friends and making the most out of each and every day.
Tracy says there are so many wonderful memories that will stay with her. She truly felt welcomed from the start of her career with Davison Schools, and that has continued through all her years here.
She is grateful to have had the opportunity to be each student’s teacher and make the connections with them and their families.
Tracy has two adult daughters. One is getting married this year, so she will soon have a son-in-law.
Tracey Fowler
Tracey has primarily taught English at Davison High School. More specifically, Honors English 10 and English 10; however, through the years, she has also taught Algebra I, Journalism, English 9, English 12 (even Senior Research skills when that was taught), and Yearbook, which she taught for 11 years.
Tracey actually began her journey with DCS as a student teacher during the first semester of the 2000-2001 school year under the guidance of Doug Ricketts. In the second semester, she was hired as a long-term sub for Chris Brock. The following school year she was hired as an English teacher and stayed at DHS for her entire career.
Tracey plans to spend time with her grandson and her family. She is also continuing to work as a Realtor - which she has done for 10 years while teaching. In addition, she plans to travel; her family just returned from Florida and they have an Alaskan cruise booked for September.
Tracey and her husband, Russ, have been married for 28 years. They have 3 boys: Nicholas, Cameron and Eagan. Cameron is married to Janay. Last July they gifted the family with the sweetest baby boy, Gabriel.
Robin Ricica
Robin is retiring as the Secretary to the Superintendent and Board of Education and Pupil Accounting Coordinator.
Robin’s career with DCS started as a secretary at Gates Elementary in 2000. She transferred to the Business Office in 2010 and, in 2017, became the Secretary to the Superintendent.
A couple of moments that Robin thinks about as she reflects on her career here at DCS she marvels at how many times people have come back to DCS - even after retirement - throughout her career. “Davison really is like a family - they just don’t let you go,” she said.
Robin’s retirement plan is to take some time to relax and recharge, then tackle a few home projects and set her sights on new adventures.
Robin is the mother to two incredible daughters, Megan Kennedy and Lauryn Marshick and two equally wonderful sons-in-law, David and Shawn.
Melvina Lightfoot
Melvina began her teaching career at Gates Elementary in 1994, teaching third grade. The following year, she moved to fifth grade before finding her true home in first grade, where she spent the last 30 years educating some of the most eager learners.
Melvina and her husband, Dave, will celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary in October and plan to mark the occasion with a special trip to Hawaii. However, Mel's top priority in retirement is spending time with her children and grandchildren. Cooper and Kennedy, the children of Brandon and Laurin, live here in Davison. Sam and Max live locally as well. Mel will travel to the west side of the state to see Hannah and John in Grand Rapids and also looks forward to spending time in Cleveland with Logan. In addition, Mel hopes to travel more frequently to Dover, New Hampshire, to spend time with Austin and Brooks and their parents, Madison and Steve.
One of Melvina’s greatest joys has been having her children—Brandon, Hannah, and Logan—attend school at Gates and later graduate from DHS. One of her favorite memories was traveling with the Davison community to Ford Field to watch Logan and his teammates win the 2019 State Football Championship.
While she has many treasured memories from her time in the classroom, it is never lost on her how meaningful it is to run into former students and celebrate their successes. She has enjoyed working alongside former students and has had the privilege of teaching the children of former students as well.
Chris Wilson
Chris began his career in 1992 as a teacher at Davison Alternative Education. He has also served as a Dean of Students at DAE, Hahn Intermediate and, when he retired in December, at Davison Middle School.
Chris’s retirement plans have included spending more time with his grandchildren, helping his wife with her business and going where the road takes him.
Chris and his wife, Nicole, have four kids: Mary, Ian, Alex and Andrew and seven grandchildren with more expected down the line.