Our Staff

Youngers Head Teacher:  Marian Kopp,  9 years at Clonlara

How I came to Clonlara:
Ten years ago I was looking for a change, I was doing administrative work in the public schools and wanted to work with students again. I happened to visit Clonlara and immediately knew I "fit" here. Much like the children who attend our school, I was looking for a sense of community and a meaningful educational relationship with my students and their parents. I found this and more at Clonlara.I feel very privileged to work in such an innovative educational setting!

What I like best about Clonlara:
I like the sense of adventure and the excitement the children express during the school day.  I also appreciate how (when given the time to communicate) they are amazing problem solvers. Most of all I appreciate the moment when a child first realizes that they are trusted to be responsible for their own educational path, supported by caring adults and friends of all ages.

My favorite ways of explaining Clonlara educational environment to new students:
We work hard, we play hard...sometimes we learn through our play....sometimes we need to work on the basics. You can choose your own way to learn or we will help you find the way.  Play is the way your brain learns best, how can you reach your educational goals through your play?
 
If you think about adults,who love their jobs, often you will hear them say, "Work is my play", how wonderful it would be if all our children grow up to say this too!

Middles Head Teacher:  Mary Lewison, 6 years at Clonlara

Olders Head Teacher:  Kristyn Buck, 3 years at Clonlara

Background:

Grew up in Brighton, mother is a teacher and father's retired from Ford Motor Company, have two brothers - older and younger - and a family dog named Abbey.

Degrees:

Ferris State University - Associates in pre-teaching and science, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with minors in science, planned program and history.

Wayne State University - Masters Degree in Elementary Education

Motto (from dad):

"Do your best, try your hardest and have fun."

Extra Curricular activities:

Pole vault coach at Brighton High School for boys and girls both middle and high school (4th year) and work at Varsity Day camp in the summer (5th year).

Likes:

Pole vaulting, being outdoors, Curb Your Enthusiasm, my pineapple plant, sweat pants, watching gymnastics, reading, Chicago Bears, chocolate chip pancakes, snowboarding, hiking/camping and the smell of rain.

Dislikes:

Snakes, shoes without socks, Nickelback, apple pie and squeaky brakes.

Olders Full Time Teacher:  Rachel Costello, 1st year at Clonlara

I read John Dewey in high school and the idea of learning "from experience" resonated with me immediately. I always had a sense that talking, moving, conversing, walking around, seeing things, and exploring are important (and often missing) components in education. But when I read Dewey's book, it brought everything into focus: "What is required is that every individual shall have opportunities to employ his own powers in activities that have meaning." I wanted then, and have continued to want to give students a chance to engage in "activities that have meaning" for them.

I've taught now in many different environments. I've been an after school program teacher in Oakland, CA, I've taught dance residencies in public schools in San Francisco, I've worked with teachers to infuse their curricula with art, and I've taught University of Michigan undergrads literature. Now I'm at Clonlara, teaching full time, and it's really the first teaching job where I've felt I have the agency and the ability to give students that opportunity of learning in a way that matters to them. I'm trying, everyday, to appeal to student interests; to get to know them and give them a chance to speak about and discover what it is in the world that's important to them. Teaching (especially high school age students) is what's important to me.

Olders Adjunct Teacher:  TJ Sanford, 1st year at Clonlara

I grew up in a small town in south western Michigan. I have two younger brothers and an awesome extended family that is very important to me.

I graduated from Sturgis Public High school in 2004 and attended the University of Michigan, where I studied math education and Spanish. I also work at Planet Rock, a climbing gym on the west side of Ann Arbor, where I run the summer camp program, coach the youth climbing team and set routes to help pay the bills.

My interests include, but are not limited to, the following...playing guitar, cooking healthy and tasty foods, any board-sport, rock climbing, collecting lawn gnomes, and tinkering with my car (which I get to do a lot!)

I joined the Clonlara community in February 2011 and it has been a great experience. I look forward to making new memories and going on adventures with the students and staff that make up my "family" away from home! 

Olders Adjunct Teacher:  Ramayan Saries, 1 year at Clonlara

I have lived in Ann Arbor, Michigan for over 25 years. I am a professional photographer, an emerging singer songwriter, and a life-long artist. In addition, I also work as a private technology instructor, graphic artist, and design consultant working with a variety of multimedia applications to service a diverse clientele.
 
I taught in the arts (primarily photography and graphic design) at the local private school level for over eleven years. Most of my time in the classroom consists of developing and implementing curriculum strategies customized for LD students and non-LD students with a variety of learning styles. I have over ten years of experience working with students diagnosed with ADHD, NLD, Asperger’s Syndrome, and language processing issues. The vast creative possibilities available in the arts represent many opportunities for working with students learning differences by utilizing their artistic strengths to help them realize victories in academic areas where they may need more support.
 
As a former homeschooler and campus student at Clonlara, I feel that I bring a unique perspective to the environment. Individualization and multisensory instruction techniques are the teaching tools I rely upon the most. I truly believe that the only thing better than doing what you love is teaching what you love and that is exactly what I have been blessed by God to do.

Executive Director:  Chandra Montgomery Nicol

Campus Administrator:  Martha Rhodes, 2 years at Clonlara

I came to this school, first as a part time marketing person with the charge of increasing enrollment.  I believed the best way to do that was get out in the community and knock on doors - making people more aware of Clonlara School and what we have to offer students.  My passion is offering families choices in education because I understand that different learners need different environments.  Not every student is the same.  My passion has been fueled by my experience with my own son who started in public school, I then homeschooled him and finally he attended a private school (Class of 2012 at Clonlara School).  I know Clonlara can make a difference, I have seen it first-hand many times, and I want others to know that too.

Education: BBA in Marketing from Eastern Michigan University, MS in Criminal Justice from University of Detroit