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Coach Trainer

Carolyn McKanders has 28 years of experience in Detroit Public Schools as a teacher and Professional Development Specialist.  She has two Master's Degrees: one in Counseling/Education and one in Social Work.  Carolyn is an Adaptive Schools Associate and has worked with administrators and teachers across the state and nation.  She is soon to become an international presenter.

She is highly skilled in modeling and facilitating; she is dynamic, knowledgeable and fun!  She provides affective support to our coaches and schools through out the state. 

Coaches

Mary Alice Krajenta retired as Principal of Northwestern Middle School in                Battle Creek. She has completed a Doctorate in Education from Western                  Michigan University and earned a Master of Arts from from Eastern Michigan    University. Her Bachelor of Arts in Education degree is from Central Michigan   University.
Mary Alice has completed ABCS Coaches Training and Kagan Cooperative               Learning Trainers Training. She has prior experience as an assistant principal,         counselor, teacher and guidance director. She has also served as an                                 Instructor at Kellogg Community College.

 

Toby Kahn-Loftus wears many hats, but her passion is in the area of Literacy training for teachers, students and parents.

Toby has been a middle school teacher and administrator, with much of her experience in the Detroit area.  Prior to her present position, she was Assistant Principal for the Dewey Center for Urban Education.  She has a Bachelor’s degree in Literature and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration and Leadership from Wayne State University and has been admitted to a Doctoral program at Michigan State University.

She has worked with many schools on reading and writing strategies through a professional development series she has developed for teachers across the curriculum.  In addition, Toby has served in faculty positions at Central Michigan University, Ferris State University, Walden University and Wayne State University.    She is a member of several state and national educational organizations.  One of her favorites is as a contributing member of the Red Cedar Writing Project.

Dave Nizinski retired as principal of White Pine Middle School in Saginaw Township, a position he had held since 1992.  Dave has a real passion for students, and has been very active in professional organizations and in professional development presentations.  His Bachelor’s degree is in Special Education and he has a Master’s degree in Public School Administration.  He has also earned the title, “Certified Reality Therapist” from the William Glasser Institute in Chatsworth, California.  He is also trained in Adaptive Schools.

Nic Cooper has spent 34 years in the field of education, most recently as principal of Saline Middle School, one of Michigan's first Schools to Watch. He  has developed over 20 different alternative education programs, has worked as a substance abuse therapist, working with adolescents and adults, been a probation officer and a consultant to businesses and schools. Nic is a graduate of Wittenberg University (BA, psychology), Western Michigan University (MA, counseling), and Eastern Michigan University (Ed.D., educational leadership). He is certified as a Master Social Worker and a Licensed Professional Counselor. He also is a certified trainer of Breaking Ranks in the Middle. He co-authored the book "How to Keep Being a Parent When Your Child Stops Being a Child" and articles dealing with conflict utilization and parent involvement.  In addition to his work for Central Michigan University, he is also on the faculty at Baker College in Jackson and a therapist at Still Waters Counseling in Saline.

 

Louann Neiderquil

 

 

 

 

 

Paula Geller has been active in education for thirty years.  She taught in a Science Center setting in Houston for several years. Her experiences also include ten years of classroom teaching in Michigan.  The past 15 years she has worked with teachers as an administrator in Midland Public Schools, most recently serving as Principal of a middle school. Paula's connection with The Center for Excellence has provided an exceptional resource for developing the Leadership Team in the middle school as well as fostering best practice strategies for the entire staff regarding school improvement.

 

Pam Dosenberry began her career in teaching the Severely Mentally Impaired at the Mt. Pleasant Regional Center for Developmental Disabilities.  Throughout her 25 years of classroom experience, she has worked with children in a number of districts whose challenges lie in the areas of cognition, emotional development, vision and social adjustment.  She has earned her Master of Arts Degree in Education Administration and is currently serving on the Mt. Pleasant Public Schools Board of Education as President.  Pam believes in the collective energy of all members in a group – whether it is in a classroom or a school district.  Each individual has an important part to play so that together we can move forward.