Manistee Area Public Schools Faculty & Staff
On the Leading EDGE
Our educators empower and inspire our students to recognize their potential, dream big, and make a difference in the world around them.
With a strong desire to rise to the needs of each and every student, the MAPS Administrative Team ensures the campus and faculty offer a diverse and expansive learning environment incorporating innovation in all facilities and programming with strong fiscal management.
Chips Lead!
Central Office & Administration
Location: 550 Maple St, Manistee, MI 49660 | Map
Telephone: (231) 723-3521
Fax: (231) 723-1507
Central Office Hours: M-F: 8am – 4:30pm
Superintendent: Ronald Stoneman
Board of Education President: Jim A. Thompson
Central Office Staff
Ronald Stoneman
Superintendent - rstoneman@manistee.org
Howard Vaas
Business Manager - hvaas@manistee.org
Amber Kowatch
Curriculum Director - akowatch@manistee.org
Sue Gustad
Assistant Business Manager - sgustad@manistee.org
Sara Schubert
Payroll/Human Resources/Insurance/Lunch - sschubert@manistee.org
Nancy Day
Administrative Assistant - nday@manistee.org
E – Enrichment– Driving all students toward their full potential
D – Diversity– Providing opportunities to meet the goals of every student
G – Goal-centered– Focusing on individualized ambitions and achievement
E – Endurance– Equipping all learners with physical, emotional and academic skills for success
Our Staff
View MMHS Staff
| MMHS Staff | ||
| Name | Title / Grade / Content Area | |
| Administrative Staff | ||
| Andy Huber | HS/MS Principal/Interim Athletic Director | ahuber@manistee.org |
| Morgan Nowicki | Assistant Principal | mnowicki@manistee.org |
| Denise Slonecki | Administrative Assistant | dslonecki@manistee.org |
| Kasandra Johnson | Administrative Assistant | kkjohnson@manistee.org |
| Guidance | ||
| Paul Howes | Guidance Counselor | phowes@manistee.org |
| Penny Kiss | Guidance Administrative Assistant / Registrar | pkiss@manistee.org |
| Matt Kieffer | Student Support | mkieffer@manistee.org |
| Sarah Wallett | Student Recovery Classroom | swallett@manistee.org |
| Activities | ||
| Andy Huber | Interim Athletic Director | ahuber@manistee.org |
| Beth Forbes | Activities Secretary/Assistant Athletic Director | bforbes@manistee.org |
| District Technology | ||
| Kenneth Blakey-Shell | District Technology Director | kblakeyshell@manistee.org |
| Gabe Delgado | Elementary Device Support | gdelgado@manistee.org |
| Matt Froncek | Apple Certified Technician | mfroncek@manistee.org |
| David Gagstetter | Data & Device Systems | dgagstetter@manistee.org |
| MMHS School Instructional Staff | ||
| Stacey Andrews-Ramsey | Spanish | sandrews@manistee.org |
| Gregg Bennett | Social Science | gbennett@manistee.org |
| Chelsea Burns | PE/Health | cburns@manistee.org |
| Dan Burns | Language Arts | dburns@manistee.org |
| Troy Bytwork | Social Science | tbytwork@manistee.org |
| Amanda Clemons | English | aclemons@manistee.org |
| Rachel Edmondson | Language Arts | reedmondson@manistee.org |
| Cindy Erdman | Special Education | cerdman@manistee.org |
| Amanda Feyen | Choir | afeyen@manistee.org |
| Joe Hendges | Social Science | jhendges@manistee.org |
| Marcy Huber | Math | mhuber@manistee.org |
| Kristen Johnson | Special Education | kjohnson@manistee.org |
| Sam Joseph | Language Arts | sjoseph@manistee.org |
| Brooke Koller | Special Education | bkoller@manistee.org |
| Michelle LaPrad | Science | mlaprad@manistee.org |
| Andrea Mack | Instrumental Music | amack@manistee.org |
| Cassie Miller | PE/Health | cmmiller@manistee.org |
| Troy Nezki | Math | tnezki@manistee.org |
| Cheryl O'Connor | Social Studies | coconnor@manistee.org |
| Ryan O'Donnell | Science | rodonnell@manistee.org |
| Mary Olson | Science | molson@manistee.org |
| Kevin Postma | Science | kpostma@manistee.org |
| Amber Puchtel | Art | apuchtel@manistee.org |
| Tobia Purple | Special Education | tpurple@manistee.org |
| Dan Saylor | Social Science | dsaylor@manistee.org |
| Polly Schlaff | Language Arts | pschlaff@manistee.org |
| Devin Schweigert | Science | dschweigert@manistee.org |
| Whitney Simic-Finch | Math | wsimicfinch@manistee.org |
| Joel Smith | Social Studies | smithj@manistee.org |
| Kathy Smith | Math | ksmith@manistee.org |
| Maria Solberg | Language Arts | msolberg@manistee.org |
| Hannah Starmann | Language Arts | hstarmann@manistee.org |
| Eric Thuemmel | Math | ethuemmel@manistee.org |
| Michael Tilmann II | PE/Health | mtilmann@manistee.org |
| Bridget Warnke | Science | bdontz@manistee.org |
| Amy Watkins | Math | awatkins@manistee.org |
| Safenet | ||
| Sonya Broadbent | Safenet | sbroadbent@manistee.org |
| Paraprofessionals | ||
| Ingrid Bond | Band Paraprofessional | ibond@manistee.org |
| Logan Bond | Paraprofessional | lbond@manistee.org |
| Todd Garber | One to One Paraprofessional | tgarber@manistee.org |
| Tara Lange | Paraprofessional | tlange@manistee.org |
| Kristen Mezeske | One to One Paraprofessional | kmezeske@manistee.org |
| Cindy Sheathelm | Paraprofessional | csheathelm@manistee.org |
| Karen Sundbeck | One to One Paraprofessional | ksundbeck@manistee.org |
| Robert Von Herbruck | Paraprofessional | rvonherbruck@manistee.org |
| Jennifer Williams | MS Activities Director | jwilliams@manistee.org |
| MMHS School Custodial | ||
| Lori Hansen | Custodian | lhansen@manistee.org |
| James Kropacek | Custodian | jkropacek@manistee.org |
| Dan Lloyd | Custodian | dlloyd@manistee.org |
| Steve Sciba | Custodian | ssciba@manistee.org |
| Nutrition Service | ||
| Keri Carlson | Nutrition Service Director | kcarlson@manistee.org |
| Stacy Applegarth | Nutrition Service | bapplegarth@manistee.org |
| Kendra Mikolajczak | Nutrition Service | kmikolajczak@manistee.org |
| Terri Morski | Nutrition Service (Meals on Wheels) | tmorski@manistee.org |
| Richard Koon | Nutrition Service (Driver) | rkoon@manistee.org |
| Jennifer Rogers | Nutrition Service (Senior Meals Program) | jrogers@manistee.org |
| Sue Steinberg | Nutrition Service | ssteinberg@manistee.org |
| Linda Wandrych | Nutrition Service | lwandrych@manistee.org |
| Facilities | ||
| Don Olk | dolk@manistee.org | |
| Jeff Bowerman | jbowerman@manistee.org | |
| Douglas Montey | Consultant | dmontey@manistee.org |
| Paine Aquatic Center | ||
| Corey VanFleet | cvanfleet@manistee.org | |
View Kennedy Staff
Administrative Team
Principal: Joanie Wiersma | jwiersma@manistee.org
Administrative Assistant: Holly Dahlquist | hdahlquist@manistee.org
Instructional Staff
Jennifer Abel
3rd Grade Teacher jabel@manistee.org
Wendy Adamski
Specials - PE/Health wadamski@manistee.org
Leah Antal
3rd Grade Teacher lantal@manistee.org
Krista Bennett
Math Coach kbennett@manistee.org
William Edmondson
5th Grade Teacher wedmondson@manistee.org
Amanda Feyen
Elementary Music afeyen@manistee.org
Chasity Gouker
Title I Reading/Literacy Coach cgouker@manistee.org
Tanya Hunter
5th Grade Teacher thunter@manistee.org
Jaclyn Kaminski
5th Grade Teacher jkaminski@manistee.org
Andrea Mack
Specials - Instrumental Music amack@manistee.org
Tina Mannon
4th Grade tmannon@manistee.org
Taylor Mellon
5th Grade Teacher tmellon@manistee.org
Emily Noteware
Resource Room enoteware@manistee.org
Linda Slotegraaf
Elementary Art lslotegraaf@manistee.org
Josh Smith
3rd Grade Teacher jsmith@manistee.org
Chelsea Sobanski
4th Grade Teacher csobanski@manistee.org
Kayla Szokola
3rd Grade Teacher kszokola@manistee.org
Sam Zeller
Elementary Coding szeller@manistee.org
Kelly Zimmerman
4th Grade Teacher kzimmerman@manistee.org
Para-Professionals
Ingrid Bond ibond@manistee.org
Nicole Bruce nbruce@manistee.org
Heidi Carter hcarter@manistee.org
Carly Cheever ccheever@manistee.org
Kelly Dawson kdawson@manistee.org
Natalie Knickerbocker nknickerbocker@manistee.org
Karla Lidtke klidtke@manistee.org
Nutrition Services
Carol Hansen chansen@manistee.org
Laura Olk lolk@manistee.org
Custodial Staff
Clarence Schultz cschultz@manistee.org
Don Froncek dfroncek@manistee.org
View Jefferson Staff
Administrative Staff
Julia Raddatz, Principal raddatzj@manistee.org
Connie Miller, Administrative Assistant camiller@manistee.org
Instructional Staff
Elizabeth Adams, Kindergarten eadams@manistee.org
Wendy Adamski, Elementary PE/Health wadamski@manistee.org
Krista Bennett, Math Coach kbennett@manistee.org
McAnn Bradford, Second Grade mbradford@manistee.org
Linda Coyle, Special Education lcoyle@manistee.org
Andrea Dejong, Second Grade adejong@manistee.org
Isabella Doolittle, Second Grade idoolittle@manistee.org
Deb Erdman, First Grade derdman@manistee.org
Amanda Feyen, Elementary Music afeyen@manistee.org
Debbie Forward, First Grade dforward@manistee.org
Chasity Gouker, Title I Reading/Literacy Coach cgouker@manistee.org
Staci Johnson, First Grade sjohnson@manistee.org
Cindy Lundberg, Kindergarten clundberg@manistee.org
Tracy Shimel, SafeNet tshimel@manistee.org
Christine Slawinski, Kindergarten cslawinski@manistee.org
Linda Slotegraaf, Elementary Art lslotegraaf@manistee.org
Bryan Tomaszewski, Second Grade btomaszewski@manistee.org
Allison Veine, Kindergarten aveine@manistee.org
Michelle Wilson, First Grade mwilson@manistee.org
Para-Professionals
Mary Chick mchick@manistee.org
Kelly Dawson kdawson@manistee.org
Andi Jones ajones@manistee.org
Rachel Lindeman rlindeman@manistee.org
Amy Miller amiller@manistee.org
Kristie Schlafley kschlafley@manistee.org
Clayton Slawinski cbslawinski@manistee.org
Anna Wojcik awojcik@manistee.org
Julie Zajac jzajac@manistee.org
Custodial Staff
Thomas Madsen tmadsen@manistee.org
Robert Jacobs rjacobs@manistee.org
Nutrition Services
Melissa Gutowski mgutowski@manistee.org
View Madison Staff
Little Chips Instructional Staff - 231-398-3758
Sandy Ludwig - Pre-School Teacher & After School Program - sludwig@manistee.org
Amber Hiipakka - Pre-School Teacher Assistant ahiipakka@manistee.org
MAPS Great Start Readiness Program Staff - 231-398-3757
Amy Brown, Lead Teacher abrown@manistee.org
Brenda Struble, GSRP Teacher Assistant bstruble@manistee.org
View Transportation Staff
View CareConnect Staff
Guiding Our Philosophy
Mission
“Chips lead by providing an inclusive, high-quality, diverse educational environment that inspires and fulfills the goals of all learners at every stage of their journey.”
Vision
“Leading a connected Manistee learning community, which supports the educational journey of each individual student, delivering The Chippewa Edge.”
MAPS Leading-Edge Promise
We provide every student with the knowledge and values necessary to become productive and successful citizens of our world. With innovation, dedication, and integrity, we create a learning environment that inspires every student and educator to reach their highest potential.
Goals
– Deliver on our promise to help every student learn
– Support a collaborative learning and working environment
– Bring focused and positive energy to everything we do
– Minimize behaviors/actions/decisions that drain our resources
Guiding Principle: We believe all students can learn.
Non-Negotiable: Achievement – We will find the potential in each student and create an environment that supports their learning.
Definition
- Every child that enters our school district will receive our attention and dedication to finding the keys to their personal success.
Guiding Principle: All decisions we make are based upon impact to effect learning.
Non-Negotiable: Impact– We will focus all efforts on seeking ways to support and extend learning.
Definition
- Our focus is always on student learning.
- We are open-minded, lifelong learners who stay in touch with, share, and use research-based practices.
- We identify and revise practices that do not help students learn.
Guiding Principle: We focus on goals that drive achievement.
Non-Negotiable: Results– We will set measurable goals, identify improvement strategies, and skillfully adapt instruction to meet student needs.
Definition
- Assessment results are used to inform us about the effectiveness of curricular and instructional decisions.
- We analyze assessment results hold data-driven discussions and make impactful decisions for improved student achievement.
- We establish attainable goals for specific measurables, in both instructional efforts and individual student progress.
Guiding Principle: We are committed to an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust.
Non-Negotiable: Accountability– We will lead by example and take responsibility for the energy we bring to all that we do.
Definition
- We reflect the values of our Mission & Vision in our daily practice. When our actions match our words, we build trust and respect with each other, our students, and our support community.
- We work together to establish an atmosphere of trust and respect, in which we can all feel safe to communicate.
- Our interactions with students and each other are characterized by the tenets of TRACK.
- We allow individuals to feel comfortable discussing their observations or concerns with one another because they know they will not be judged or punished.
- Disagreements are treated with respect and acknowledged as an opportunity to learn and grow.
- Each individual is given equal time to express an opinion or share an idea.
Guiding Principle: We believe that all students belong to all of us.
Non-Negotiable: Guidance– We will hold ourselves responsible for supporting the educational experience of all MAPS students throughout our district.
Definition
- We accept and act on the belief that all students belong to all adults.
- We are committed to working beyond the boundaries of our classrooms and buildings to serve the needs of every student.
- We work together for the success of all students, there is no blame when things do not go well, but instead we are committed to seeking solutions to problems or setbacks in the interest of each and every student’s achievement.
Guiding Principle: Working together enables us to attain our desired outcomes.
Non-Negotiable: Collaboration-We will reach beyond our classrooms and work with each other to identify and support the strengths of every student.
Definition
- We work together to positively impact student achievement and deliver the Leading-Edge Promise.
- We focus on and speak only in solutions.
- Participation in culture building is both a right and a responsibility.
- TRACK guides the development of character and a positive school environment and is primary to our success as individuals and our ability to instill these values in our students and each other.
- Our commitment to communication allows for a productive work environment and therefore student success.
- We put education first, and we know we can deliver on this when we encourage each other to share our best ideas and work collaboratively.
- Ideas which lead to increased student learning are recognized and praised by peers.
Staff Resources
CareConnect
In 2019, the MAPS CareConnect program was developed through grant funding and in partnership with the Manistee Intermediate School District, CentraWellness, and Northwest Michigan Health Services to address the behavioral health needs of our MAPS students. The early successes of this program led to consideration of expanding upon the health services provided to our students.
In 2021, the MAPS Child & Adolescent Health Center opened onsite at MMHS to offer comprehensive primary care and behavioral health services for MAPS students ages 5 to 21 years. It is open year-round and is comprised of an integrated team of practitioners to address medical and mental health needs.
When the basic health care needs of our students are met, they are better able to perform in school. Offering accessible care for both preventative and acute care within our district, we intend to provide our students with a holistic approach for overall wellbeing.
Strategic Plan
Letter from Board President and Superintendent
Manistee Area Public Schools 2012-2017 Strategic Plan: Participants Help Shape Vision and Goals for Future of MAPS
- While much more work needs to be done, MAPS is headed in the right direction with positive momentum behind the academic growth, instruction reforms and innovative new school choices.
- The future of growth and success of MAPS must be a top community priority that requires support from all stakeholders (students, parents, taxpayers, businesses, non-profits, foundations, government agencies, etc.).
- As a district, we must do a better job of positively engaging and aligning internal (students, parents, staff and the school board) and external (taxpayers, community organizations, businesses, non-profits, government agencies, elected officials) stakeholders around common goals and strategies to significantly improve academic achievement and high school graduation rates.
Manistee Area Public Schools Employment Postings
Manistee Area Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer.
District Policy: Nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, gender, age, disability, height, weight or marital status in all activities and employment.
Notice of Available Positions
- Varsity Girls' Soccer Coach
- Para Professional Elementary
- Lifeguard(s)
- Behavior Consultant
- Elementary Teacher - K-5
- ELA Teacher - MMHS
- Math Teacher - MMHS
- Science Teacher - MMHS
- Social Studies Teacher - MMHS
- Special Education Teacher
- Teacher for Homebound Student(s)
- GSRP Pre-School Staff - Three (3) Positions
- Facility Director