Faculty & Staff

Faculty

Jess Ackerman
English Instructor
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Office: TI 214 A 
Phone: 734-973-3323

Schedule an appointment with Ms. Ackerman

Ms. Ackerman is a graduate of Indiana University, where she studied English education and reading. She also holds a graduate degree in educational leadership from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

In her WTMC classes, Ms. Ackerman challenges students to read carefully for deeper meanings and to become stronger writers. Outside of school, she loves hiking, backpacking and teaching yoga.

Lisa Babe
Science Instructor
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Schedule an appointment with Ms. Lisa Babe

Ms. Babe earned her bachelor’s degree in Agriscience education from Michigan State University and earned her master’s degree in Science Instruction and Curriculum from the University of Colorado, Boulder.  She comes to WTMC with over 20 years of formal and informal science teaching experience and most recently was the Farm to School Coordinator for Dexter Community Schools.  She also volunteers for a global humanitarian aid organization where she delivers aid to refugees and organizes volunteer trips abroad.  

In addition to her love of gardening and cooking, Ms. Babe loves to spend time with her family and dogs boating on Lake Huron.

Bergen Bauer
Critical Thinking  Instructor
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Office: TI 214 N
Phone: 734-677-5367

Schedule an appointment with Mr. Bauer

After obtaining two associate's degrees from WCC, Mr. Bauer graduated with a B.S. in movement science and an M.A. in secondary education from the University of Michigan. Prior to joining the staff at WTMC, Mr. Bauer coached football at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School. In his free time, Mr. Bauer enjoys lifting weights, kayaking, and cuddling with his cat.

Cassandra Becker
Mathematics Instructor
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Office: TI 214 U
Phone:734-973-3505

Schedule an appointment with Ms. Becker

Mrs. Becker earned her undergraduate degree in mathematics from Grand Valley State University. She then earned her Masters of Arts in Teaching from American University in Washington, D.C. through a Math for America fellowship. Prior to teaching at WTMC, Mrs. Becker taught mathematics at a charter school in Washington D.C. and more recently served as an instructional coach for schools around the Midwest. In addition to doing mathematics, Mrs. Becker also loves spending her time reading, running, traveling, hiking, and spending time with her family.

Sam Bekemeyer
English Instructor
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Phone: 734-249-5955

Schedule an appointment with Ms. Bekemeyer

Ms. Bekemeyer uses literature to help students see the world through different lenses. She believes that empathy and curiosity should guide our learning. Her classes celebrate the “ah-ha!” moments of new understanding.

Raised in Royal Oak, Michigan, Ms. Bekemeyer is a proud graduate of Eastern Michigan University. Her university experiences include a semester studying Shakespeare in Italy. 

Julee Boland
Critical Thinking Instructor, Reading Specialist
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Office: TI 214 F
Phone: 734-677-5363

Schedule an appointment with Mrs. Boland

Ms. Boland earned her B.A. in English/ Secondary Education and her M.Ed. in Literacy from Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island. She is a National Board Certified Teacher in English Language Arts. At WTMC, she has conducted action research on digital reading, student-led questioning, strategies for teaching decoding skills to secondary students, and most recently, on scaffolding PSAT and SAT Critical Reading skills. Her current professional development focus is on media and digital literacies. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Boland enjoys reading, running, and spending time near the ocean and with her family.

Jim Cockels
Success Coach
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Kris Gedeon
English Instructor
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Office: TI 214 Q
Phone: 734-477-8509

Schedule an appointment with Mrs. Gedeon

Ms. Gedeon is an author and consummate book enthusiast who participates annually in NaNoWriMo, a challenge to write an entire book in one month! She runs the WTMC student library and is the advisor for the WTMC Library Club.

A proud graduate of James Madison College at Michigan State University, Ms. Gedeon studied International relations, Asian Studies, and English. She holds a graduate degree in English, with a focus on teaching writing, from Eastern Michigan University.

Katie Glupker

Civics and English Instructor
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Office: TI 222 A
Phone: 734-677-5255

Schedule an appointment with Ms. Katie Gluper

Ms. Glupker began her teaching career in the International Baccalaureate Program at an international high school in Shanghai, China. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in education, both from the University of Michigan. She joined the WTMC faculty in 2009. Ms. Glupker is a writer, a teacher consultant for the National Writing Project, and a Masters swimmer. Ms. Glupker is also an avid traveler – she spent three years living in Asia and visits new places every chance she gets.

Paul Hines
Success Coach
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Office: TI 214 
Phone: 734-677-5211

Schedule an appointment with Mr. Paul Hines

Mr. Hines studied anthropology and teaching at the University of Michigan, Dearborn. One of the things Mr. Hines enjoys most in teaching is the ability to be creative with lessons. He believes that experimenting is the best way to improve teaching and learning.

Mr. Hines says, “anthropology was a way for me to explore other cultures. Food is great way to understand how cultures utilize the resources around them to come up with a cuisine that suites their needs. When I recently started working for a start-up company that sold Middle Eastern foods through Amazon, it was a great way for me to explore foods that I would not normally have bought or made.”

Kyle Linford
Mathematics Instructor
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Office: TI 214 V
Phone: 734-477-8901

Schedule an appointment with Mr. Kyle Linford

Mr. Linford started at WCC as a student and tutor before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics education from Eastern Michigan University. He is currently pursuing a graduate degree in mathematics from EMU. Prior to joining the staff at WTMC, Mr. Linford taught math and art integration part time and was able to design curriculum for students to learn algebra, while exploring various modern art movements. In addition to working as a math faculty, Mr. Linford serves as the advisor for the WTMC Math Club. When not teaching, Mr. Linford enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, cooking, gardening, and studying mathematics.

Rose Lorenz
Mathematics Instructor
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Office: TI 226 B
Phone: 734-677-5381

Schedule an appointment with Ms. Rose Lorenz

Mrs. Lorenz earned her BA in mathematics and music from Carleton College and finished her MS in the Science of Instruction from Drexel University. Prior to coming to WTMC, Mrs. Lorenz taught math and coached soccer at the Culver Academies and at Greenhills School. Outside the classroom she enjoys running, cooking, quilting, and felting. She also loves exploring the world with her two young boys, particularly in northern Michigan and her hometown of Juneau, Alaska.

Keenan Mullaney
Science Instructor
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Office: TI 214 Y
Phone: 734-477-8796

Schedule an appointment with Mr. Mullaney

Mr. Mullaney is excited to start his teaching career here at WTMC after working for 5 years at the Michigan State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Before that, he received degrees in both Microbiology and Physiology from Michigan State University (Go Green!). He recently graduated with a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Michigan so that he could become a science teacher and bring his experience into the classroom. Outside of school, Mr. Mullaney is a huge nerd who plays dungeons and dragons with his friends every week and keeps up with rugby from all over the world. 

Ethan O'Brien
English Instructor
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Office: TI 214 W
Phone: 734-477-8506

Schedule an appointment with Mr. Ethan O'Brien

Mr. O'Brien graduated from Central Michigan University with concentrations in English, history, and creative writing. He then attended Grand Valley State University and earned his teaching certificate while working on a master's degree. He taught eighth-grade English at Grayling Middle School for three years, and while he cherishes the connections he made there, he is thrilled to be a member of the WTMC staff!

Mr. O'Brien grew up in the frigid North where he developed an appreciation for the great outdoors and the gift of music. He considers himself an amateur/intermediate birdwatcher, and he enjoys playing guitar both by himself and with his many musician friends in front of a crowd.  

His favorite part about teaching is the sense of community he feels in the workplace and the classroom. He enjoys helping his students grow as readers and writers of worlds.

Tamika Riley
Guidance Counselor
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Office: TI 222 B
Phone: 734-973-3749

Schedule an appointment with Ms. Tamika Riley

Ms. Riley graduated from Michigan State University with a B.A. in Psychology, and an M.A. in School and Community Counseling. Currently, she is pursuing a PhD in Organizational Psychology. Prior to coming to WTMC, she worked as a Case Manager for Michigan Works in Detroit. Additionally, she previously worked as a counselor in different school and community agency settings in the Metro Detroit area. When she is not busy with work and school, Ms. Riley enjoys spending time with family and friends, decorating, leisure reading, and watching sports. Go Green!

Samuel Rosewig
Assistant Dean of Student Affairs; English Instructor
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Office: TI 214 L
Phone: 734-677-5157

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Mr. Rosewig teaches with a commitment to Terence's dictum: "I am human; nothing human can be alien to me." His scholarly interests include etymology, traditional boat-building, the works of J.L. Borges, documentary theater, and the literature of adolescence. He is the founder of the award-winning WTMC ultimate frisbee team.

Mr. Rosewig has graduate degrees in education and English from the Middlebury Bread Loaf School of English, and in education from the University of Michigan.

Taylor Sastre
Social Studies Instructor
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Phone: 734-477-8939

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Ms. Sastre earned her B.A. in History Education from Michigan State University. Her passion for history has led her to participate in various educational programs, including The Warren Fellowship for Future Teachers, focused on Holocaust studies; the National Constitutional Center, where she explored Constitutional history and 1st Amendment theory; and the National Endowment for the Humanities in Detroit, where she studied the history of segregation and desegregation in public education. In her free time, she enjoys playing doubles sand volleyball with her husband, going on local adventures with her two children, and playing Dungeons & Dragons with friends and family.

Heather Schulz
Teacher Consultant
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Office: TI 214 C
Phone: 734-477-8520

Schedule an appointment with Mrs. Heather Schulz

Mrs. Schulz earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Xavier University and master degree in Learning Disabilities K-12. She comes from Harrison High School in Farmington with ten years of experience. Mrs. Schulz was a resource room teacher, co-taught in Algebra and Geometry along with teaching a Specially Designed Instruction class to help students in Algebra. One of Mrs. Schulz’s passions is for students to becoming lifelong learners. Mrs. Schulz and her husband love spending time with their three children. Mrs. Schulz enjoys reading, especially by the pool, exercising, cooking, baking, gardening,traveling and taking her golden retriever Maverick for long walks.

Adam Sherfield
English Instructor
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Office: TI 214 Q
Phone: 734-677-5271

Schedule an appointment with Mr. Adam Sherfield

Mr. Sherfield graduated from Brooklyn College with a Master’s Degree in English Education, and taught high school English in Brooklyn, NY, for 6 years, before returning to his home state of Michigan and arriving at WTMC. Mr. Sherfield’s 9th Grade English class explores literature through the lens of sustainability, challenging students to make connections between historical fiction and the social, political, and economic issues of the modern world, with the hope that students will be inspired and empowered to make a difference. When Mr. Sherfield is not teaching, he enjoys reading classic literature, walking the trails of nature parks, and making music with friends.

Lauren Taube
Math Instructor
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Phone: 734-477-8571

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Ms. Taube holds a BS in Mathematics from Michigan State University, an MA in Mathematics from Eastern Michigan University, and has been teaching mathematics at the high school and college level for more than ten years. In her free time, Ms. Taube enjoys cycling, playing word games, and spending time with her family.

Katie Torkelson-Regan
Science Instructor
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Office: TI 214 W
Phone: 734-477-8523

Schedule an appointment with Ms. Torkelson-Regan

Katie Torkelson-Regan is a science teacher at WTMC. She is a Knowles Teaching Fellow and a strong believer in interdisciplinary and place-based education.

In 2018, she obtained her Masters of Arts in Education and teaching certification from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She received her undergraduate degree in Biology and French from Grand Valley State University in 2015.

Prior to coming to WTMC, Ms. TR taught English in France. She’s also done cool research on insects, rattlesnakes, and invasive species, and has worked on farms in the United States and Europe. When she's not teaching or learning about the environment, Ms. T.R. gardens, hikes, and listens to podcasts.

Follow Ms. TR on Twitter to see what's going on in her classes!

Dyane Townley
Math Success Coach
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Math Tutoring Center: BE 150

Schedule a meeting with Ms. Dyane Townley

Dyane Townley received her Bachelor of Science from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. She then taught math and science at a private boarding high school in Tucson, Arizona. Dyane left the classroom to raise (and later homeschool) her four kids. All of her children attended WTMC. She enjoyed subbing at WTMC so much that Dyane joined the staff in 2023. Her focus is on helping students understand and succeed in high school math so they are ready to successfully tackle college STEM work. When not happily math-ing, Dyane enjoys traveling with her husband as their schedules allow, trash-talking through card games with her adult and teen kids, and reading when she should be sleeping.

James Tuttle
Mathematics Instructor
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Office: TI 214 AA
Phone: 734-477-8513

Schedule an appointment with Mr. James Tuttle

Mr. Tuttle earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan and a teaching certificate from Eastern Michigan University. He comes to WTMC after teaching math and physics for 8 years at Ypsilanti Public Schools. While at Ypsilanti, Mr. Tuttle worked with colleagues both locally and nationally to develop experientially based math curriculum in subjects ranging from algebra to calculus. When he’s not teaching, Mr. Tuttle enjoys running, reading, playing 9-ball, and constructing crossword puzzles.

Michele Vanhala
Science Instructor
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Office: TI 214 X
Phone: 734-973-3327

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Originally from Big Rapids, Michigan, Ms. Vanhala attended Central Michigan University as a double major in both Integrated Sciences and English for Secondary Education on a full-ride academic Centralis Scholarship. In 2014, she  was named a Knowles Teaching Fellow through the Knowles Teacher Initiative, a national foundation focused on providing professional development and funding for the support of young math and science teachers. She then completed a Masters of Science in Science Education through the University of Michigan, Dearborn in 2017 with a focus on project-based learning and inquiry. 

Ms. Vanhala joined the WTMC team in 2019, but before that she taught chemistry, physics, and biology for five years at Tecumseh High School.  On a personal note, she enjoys working out in Orange Theory Fitness classes on a regular basis, traveling whenever she has the chance, and reading in her free time.

James Watz
Critical Thinking Instructor
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Office: TI 226 A
Phone: 734-477-8538

Schedule an appointment with Mr. James Watz

WTMC is Mr. Watz’ fourth teaching post. He previously taught middle school social studies for two years at Honey Creek Community School in Ann Arbor. Prior to that, he taught for four years at the Kaohsiung American School in southern Taiwan. His responsibilities there included teaching history and geography, as well as psychology and Theory of Knowledge in the IB Diploma Program. Mr. Watz started off his career at a large public middle school in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he taught history and geography for five years. He has also coached volleyball and cross country. He is a two-time graduate of the University of Michigan. In his spare time, Mr. Watz loves spending time with family, running, playing guitar, singing in choir, cooking, and reading.

Elise Weber
Science Instructor
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Office: TI 222 C
Phone: 734-477-8556
Cell: 734-224-2334

Schedule an appointment with Mrs. Weber

Elise Weber is a graduate of the University of Michigan, and holds a major in biology and a minor in chemistry for secondary education. Before joining the WTMC staff, Mrs. Weber taught 6-12 grade science in Grand Marais, Michigan. She is passionate about teaching science using a modeling framework, in which students work together as scientists to construct conceptual and mathematical models to explain phenomena in the natural world. Additionally, Mrs. Weber teaches a forensic science elective at WTMC. In her spare time, Mrs. Weber enjoys playing volleyball, reading, traveling, and attending educational workshops.

Emily Zdyrko
English Instructor
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Office: TI 214 R
Phone: 734-477-8532
Cell: 734-666-5298

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Ms. Zdyrko holds a BA in English from Grinnell College, an MA in the Teaching of English from Teachers College Columbia University, and an MA in English from the Middlebury Bread Loaf School of English. She is a New York City native with a decade of experience teaching in NYC public schools, most recently LaGuardia Arts High School. Ms. Zdyrko enjoys writing, running, and traveling.

Drew Zemper
Science Instructor
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Office: TI 226 D
Phone: 734-477-8552

Schedule an appointment with Mr. Drew Zemper

Mr. Zemper started at WCC as a student and biology lab technician, and feels that he has come full circle being a new WTMC science teacher. He is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in science for biology and chemistry. After EMU, Mr. Zemper attended the University of Michigan for his master’s in education. Mr. Zemper also teaches college biology for WCC and has prior teaching experience in Detroit and at a neighboring middle college in Adrian, MI.

When Mr. Zemper is not teaching he can be found spending time with his family, riding his mountain bike, or checking on his bee hives. Mr. Zemper loves the outdoors and believes that getting students outside is an important component to many of the sciences.

Elizabeth Zimmerman
Director of Curriculum and Instructional Coaching
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Office: TI 214  J
Phone: 734-677-5362

Schedule a meeting with Ms. Zimmerman

Elizabeth Zimmerman is a graduate of Michigan State University's College of Education where she earned bachelor's degrees in both math and English. After teaching both math and English at the secondary level, she came to WTMC in 2009 to focus on teaching math. Shortly after, she earned a master's degree in mathematics education. Elizabeth's most enjoyable moments in teaching come from working with students who have previously struggled with math classes, but are able to re-engage in math at WTMC.

Elizabeth's favorite things are her family, listening to new music, reading fiction, biographies, and memoirs, running outside with neighbors or WTMC pals, chocolate & coffee (separately or together), traveling to new places, sketch and stand-up comedy, and bursting out into song.

 

Staff

Karl Covert
Dean
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Office: TI 214 M
Phone: 734-973-3410

Dr. Covert holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England. He has worked in Education for the past 33 years as a teacher, counselor and administrator. Dr. Covert studied and held positions in Belgium, Germany, Delaware, England and Maine. He has spoken and written on educational change, student voice and instructional initiatives.

In his free time he likes to travel, cook, and read. You may find him around town picking out his vegetables at the farmer’s market, watching a University of Michigan game or playing in a local park with his son. 

Maeve Devlin
Head of Student Accounting and Pupil Reporting
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Office: TI 214 
Phone: 734-677-5044

Mrs. Devlin earned her Masters of Library and Information Science at Wayne State University. Before coming to WTMC, she worked as a children's librarian in public libraries. 

Mrs. Devlin enjoys spending time outside (hiking, climbing, and playing ultimate frisbee) or with her family and friends.

Steve Gilpin
School Social Worker
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Mr. Gilpin is a graduate of WTMC and WCC. They later completed a Bachelor of Science at the University of Michigan and completed their Master of Social Work at The University of Michigan School of Social Work. Before coming to us, Mr. Gilpin worked in the mental health field as a clinic director to an outpatient psychiatry center, a therapist in partial-hospitalization, and therapist and clinical director in private practice. 

Mr. Gilpin is passionate about helping people in need by building strong relationships, providing information about mental health, and helping people find a love of learning. 

Mr. Gilpin loves tea, plants, and their two dogs Marbles and Tutti (a miniature dachshund and a cavachon respectively).

Emily Goslow
School Social Worker
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Office: TI 214 R
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Colleen Hanson
Guidance Counselor
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Office: TI 214  D
Phone: 734-677-5364

Click here to schedule an appointment with Ms. Hanson

Ms. Hanson earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from Oakland University and her Master of Arts Degree in Counseling from Eastern Michigan University. >

Prior to working at WTMC, Ms. Hanson was a high school counselor in both independent and public schools, and also worked as a Behavioral Health Specialist in hospital clinics, private practice, and at Washtenaw Community College. Ms. Hanson is a Licensed Professional Counselor, and a Licensed K-12 School Counselor. In addition, Ms. Hanson loves to travel, read, and spend time with her family and two dogs.

Helen Kaplan
School Social Worker
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Office: TI 214 B
Phone: 734-973-3365

Click here to schedule an appointment with Mrs. Helen Kaplan

Mrs. Kaplan earned her undergraduate degree and master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan. She comes to WTMC with more than twenty years of experience working with children, teens, couples and families in both school and outpatient settings. Mrs. Kaplan is excited to join the WTMC counseling team and is committed to supporting teens, their families and school staff. When not at WTMC, Mrs. Kaplan is an LEO lecturer at the School of Social Work at University of Michigan. For self-care, Mrs. Kaplan enjoys spending time with her family (including her beloved dog), exercising and when possible, being at the beach.

Carole Pause
Head of Student Records
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Office: TI 218 A
Phone: 734-973-3376

Carole Pause is the Director of Special Projects and WTMC's Records Clerk. She is responsible for student records, including transcripts and immunizations. She also coordinates student admission, enrollment, graduation, and standardized testing. She has a degree in business education from Bowling Green State University.

After a couple of years of teaching, Ms. Pause discovered that her true talents lie in the administrative field. She had worked as an administrative assistant in both manufacturing and the retail companies before coming to WTMC. She joined the staff at WTMC in the summer of 2006.

Outside of WTMC, Ms. Pause enjoys being involved with her kids' school activities, reading, movies, visiting extended family, and hiking and canoeing with her husband and kids.

Ms. Pause is happy to be in the educational field again, enjoys the challenges her job presents, and believes in WTMC for the educational choice it gives students who want a challenging alternative to the traditional high school.

Alexander Long
Head of Admissions and Communications; School Meteorologist
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Office: TI 222 C
Phone: 734-677-5360

Mr. Long has been at WTMC since 2007. Prior to joining the staff, he had the honor of spending three incredible and influential years as an educator at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum.

Mr. Long is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University, where he earned both bachelor and master of science degrees in earth science education. If you watch carefully, you might see Mr. Long paddle by in a canoe, ride past on a motorcycle, make a nearly-perfect cast and land a monster fish, or just sit and read a book with his two sons.

Zoe Taube
Receptionist
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Phone: 734-973-3410

Ms. Zoe comes to WTMC with over fourteen years combined experience in medical office reception and administration, undergraduate student tutoring services, and various K-12 tutoring and volunteering positions. She studied molecular and cellular biology at Lawrence Tech University and will forever be a big science nerd. Ms. Zoe is so happy to finally be working with students again after a long time in medical offices!

In her free time, you can find Ms. Zoe cooking, baking, gardening, swimming, playing music, and hanging out with her cats. Sometimes she even plays piano for the cats (one of them has a few favorite songs). She is always taking suggestions for new songs to learn on piano, guitar, or banjo; stop by the WTMC Main Office to find out if your suggestion was cat-approved!

Christine Williams
Administrative Assistant
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Office: TI 214
Phone: 734-973-3310

Christine came to WTMC in August, 2015. She spent 12 years at Domino's Pizza Inc. World Headquarters working with Security, Corporate Operations and Training as an executive administrative assistant, department coordinator and trainer. She most recently spent the last 13 years managing the Great Harvest Bread Company in Ann Arbor.

In her spare time she enjoys volunteering, spending time with family and friends, traveling and attending sporting events. Christine considers herself very fortunate to be a part of the WTMC family, and looks forward to helping students and their families.

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