Faculty and Staff
Listed Alphabetically
Leisa Eckerle Hankins, Director of Admissions and Development
lhankins@thepathfinderschool.org
Leisa has been employed by Pathfinder since the Spring of 2008. She had served on the Pathfinder Board of Directors during the re-opening of the school; her focus was on development. She was the owner of My Favorite Things and Toes in downtown Traverse City and actively involved in the Downtown Traverse City Association as president of the Board for 6 years. Her prior experience includes 13 years of nonprofit management locally as executive director of the State Theatre Group and Encore Society of Music. She also worked in Grand Rapids for St. Cecilia Music Society and Planned Parenthood Centers of West Michigan doing two capital campaigns and overseeing a $3 million annual campaign.
BA Psychology Grand Valley State University
Graduate Work Nonprofit Management Grand Valley State University.
Craig Fleuter, Art Teacher
cfleuter@thepathfinderschool.org
Craig has been at Pathfinder since 1998. He has been married to Sherrie for 30 years, Sons Erik (23) and Brian (18). Craig taught art for 22 years in Jackson, Wyoming, three years K-6, and eighteen years 8-12. Craig maintains an active interest in all areas of art, specializing in large portraits of Native Americans, carpentry and house design/remodeling.
B.F.A. University of California/Berkeley.
Sally Gorenflo, 5th Grade Teacher
sgorenflo@thepathfinderschool.org
Sally has been with Pathfinder since 1998. She is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University with a Master's degree in Reading. She has taught various age groups from kindergarten through college. Prior to joining Pathfinder's faculty Sally taught English Composition and reading and learning courses at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City. When she first moved to the Leelanau Peninsula, addition to teaching, she and her husband owned and operated a bed and breakfast in Glen Arbor. Recently they have moved farther into the woods near Empire where they enjoy peaceful living with their naughty dog, William the Terrier.
Credentials and Michigan Teaching Certification:
K-8 All Subjects
K-12 Reading
K-12 Art
BA - Eastern Michigan University
MA Reading – Eastern Michigan University
Orton-Gillingham Training – University of Michigan
Project Zero Summer Institute – Harvard University
Jim Hale, Custodian
jhale@thepathfinderschool.org
When Jim came to our school he promised to stay at least a year. That was in 1989. Jim has degrees from Central Michigan University and The Great Lakes Maritime Academy. Jim came from working on Isle Royale, on tugboats, and on 1000-foot lakers. Jim’s comment on working at our school, “It is like family here, a great place to be.”
B.S. Parks and Recreation Administration/Earth Science - Central Michigan University
Assoc. Degree Maritime Pilotage
T. Cousins, 2nd Grade Teacher
thanawalt@thepathfinderschool.org
T. grew up in Ohio and Georgia and she graduated from the University of Georgia. She received her Masters in Education from Georgia State and subsequent state certification in both early childhood and gifted education. After living and teaching in Milan, Italy, for two years, she returned to New York City, where she began a Doctorate in International Educational Development at Teachers College, Columbia University. Concurrently she was a first grade teacher and the Director of the Lower School at New York's upper West side Columbia Grammar School. While teaching and following completion of all course work and the first of her dissertations, she abruptly changed course with the birth of her twin boys.
She moved to Traverse City in 1993 with newborn sons Phillip and Tate. Her boys have attended the Pathfinder School since the age of three. T. has enjoyed teaching second grade at our school since 1995 and brings to her teaching a sense of civility, warmth and respect for the individual that characterizes the tone of her classroom.
BS University of Georgia
MED Georgia State University
Dyslexia Tutoring Services
Shane Boland Harrison, Middle School Science Teacher
sharrison@thepathfinderschool.org
Shane received degrees in both Zoology and Biology from Michigan State University along with a secondary teaching certificate in 1984. After staying home to raise her three children she returned to the classroom in 1997 to teach middle school science. Shane is active in the local Leelanau and Traverse City science communities working with other scientists who share her passion for our local waters. She lives in Leelanau County with her husband, a veterinarian, three children, all Pathfinder graduates, and many unusual animals. She is currently working on a Masters in Science Education with a degree to be awarded in December 2007 from Lesley University.
Education:
B.S. – Michigan State University, Zoology and Biology Michigan State Teaching Certification – 1984
Currently enrolled in a Masters in Science Education graduating in December of 2007 from Lesley University
Professional Development:
Member of Michigan Science Teacher Association attending annual conferences
2004 – attended the Project Zero Summer Institute – Harvard University
2005 – attended the Environmental Leadership Institute – New Hampshire
2005 – teaching participant and student mentor for the DTE Freshwater institute –Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse City, MI
Dawn Iott, Elementary School Science Teacher
diott@thepathfinderschool.org
Dawn is a former working scientist, having been employed for eight years at a corporate research and engineering lab in the field of materials and metallurgy. She has been teaching elementary science and middle school logic at our school since 1992. She enjoys making messes and mistakes, wearing jewelry shaped like dinosaurs or body parts, and going down the snow slide holding hands with her students. Dawn attended the Project Zero Institute at Harvard in 2003 and is excited about engaging children in new quests for understanding. She was one of the founding “Community of Learners” for the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute and is a charter member of “Women of the Water.”
Dawn is the mother of two Pathfinder alums, Jesse, ‘96 (Kenyon College, '04 and University of Toronto, ‘05) and Alice Rose, ‘99 (Kalamazoo College, '07.) She enjoys fly-fishing, kayaking, biking, skiing and snowshoeing. She currently resides with her husband Dennis on the family potato farm in Kalkaska County.
Sarah Jane Johnson, 6th Grade Language Arts Teacher, Librarian
sjohnson@thepathfinderschool.org
Sarah Jane has been with Pathfinder for 8 years. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Northern Michigan University. She also has her Master of Arts in Writing from Northern Michigan University. She has her endorsement certification in Early Childhood Teaching and is completing her class work for a Michigan State Teaching Certification in elementary education in language arts, physical science, & K-12 Arts Education. Sara Jane has also had extensive experience as a child care coordinator through the Family Independence Agency, as a parent support coordinator through the Michigan State University Extension, and teaching experience ranging from pre-school to college level.
B.F.A. major: art & design minor: creative writing Northern Michigan University
M.A. writing Northern Michigan University
Karen McCarthy, Elementary French Teacher
kmccarthy@thepathfinderschool.org
Karen has been at Pathfinder for 9 years. She incorporates her love of music, dance, play and creative expression into her teaching. Karen has had prior teaching experience in French, theater, and Irish dancing. Karen also teaches Irish dancing at Dance Arts in Traverse City. In addition to her busy life with 3 daughters and her husband, Karen is very involved with her parish and enjoys writing.
B.F.A. Theater with a minor in French - The Catholic University, Washington D.C.
Tim McGraw, Third Grade Teacher
tmcgraw@thepathfinderschool.org
Tim began his journey at Pathfinder in September 2009. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in sociology at the University of Colorado in 2000, he moved to Vermont to work with developmentally disabled adults and children with special needs. After being a therapeutic foster parent for two boys for a year, he moved to central New York to continue his education at Binghamton University where he received a Master’s Degree in 2006. He began his teaching career there and then moved to Charleston, South Carolina to teach fourth grade with a high-needs population. He moved with his girlfriend to Traverse City in August 2009 to be close to family and recently welcomed a baby girl. He is thrilled to be working in such a creative atmosphere as Pathfinder and hopes to engage his class with student-centered, experiential-based learning.
Stephanie McLean, Kindergarten Teacher
smclean@thepathfinderschool.org
Stephanie joined Pathfinder in 2007. Stephanie is certified in all subjects of early education with an endorsement in learning disabilities. She most recently has been with the Traverse City Area Public Schools, teaching at both the elementary and the junior high levels. A graduate of Michigan State University’s School of Education, Stephanie is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Reading and Literacy.
BS Special Education and Elementary Education Michigan State University
Mary Merrill, 4th Grade Teacher
mmerrill@thepathfinderschool.org
Mary Merrill brings more than twenty years of caring dedication, creativity and experience to her classroom each day. She has been at Pathfinder for 11 years. Her teaching credentials include a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Central Michigan University and a Master of Arts degree in elementary education from Saginaw Valley State University. For the past eleven years, Mary has taught at our school. She currently teaches fourth grade language arts, social studies and mathematics. Thematic instruction, arts integration, experiential learning and community-building are at the heart of her teaching style. She believes that learning is all about making meaningful connections within a nurturing classroom setting. Mary shares her cozy northern Michigan home with her supportive husband and their precious daughter.
BS Elementary Educaton Central Michigan University
MS Elementary Education Saginaw Valley State University
Ellen Northway, Business Manager
enorthway@thepathfinderschool.org
Ellen has been with Pathfinder for 24 years. She received her BA degree from the University of Michigan and a graduate degree in Management from McGill University in Quebec, Canada.
Merri Oberlin, Technology Teacher
moberlin@thepathfinderschool.org
Merri has taught second grade, fourth grade, and ESL. For the past ten years she has focused on Computer Education. When she’s not teaching, she and her husband, Michael, pack one change of clothes and head off to foreign lands. They’ve traveled to over 40 countries.
B.S psychology and elementary education - Western Michigan University
Lynn Pavlov, 1st Grade Teacher
lpavlov@thepathfinderschool.org
Lynn has been teaching for over 36 years (preschool through college). She has been a school curriculum coordinator and administrator, preschool director, teacher consultant, and classroom teacher. She spent eight years teaching child development, developmental psychology, and various early childhood education courses at North Western Michigan College. Lynn was named Early Childhood Educator of the Year by the Northern Michigan 4-C counsel and received the Outstanding Educator award from Traverse City.
She has been teaching at our school since 1987. Lynn and her husband, Michael are the proud parents of two Pathfinder School graduates. (Abbie is a graduate of Western Michigan University. She is an artist and art educator employed by Pewabic Pottery. Zac graduated from the University of Michigan and received a master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University. He is employed by Disney Internet Group.)
Lynn believes strongly in celebrating children’s uniqueness and guiding them toward a love of life long learning.
B.A. – Inter-disciplinary Study of Anthropology and Sociology- Aquinas College
Graduate Work – Child Development/Education- University of Detroit
Harvard’s Project Zero International Institute graduate
Professional Organization Memberships- ACEI (Association for Childhood Education International: NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children); and the International Reading Association and Michigan Reading Association).
Claudine Petzold, Middle School French Teacher
cpetzold@thepathfinderschool.org
Claudine came to Pathfinder in 2008. She was born and raised in France. After her husband retired from the Air Force they settled on Old Mission peninsula. She has taught French for many years, from Kindgergarten French Immersion to High School French depending on where her husband's career took the family.
Audrey Lipson Pittinos, Middle School Math and Drama Teacher
apittinos@thepathfinderschool.org
Audrey has been at Pathfinder since 1998. She graduated from Temple University in Philadelphia with a BS in Psychology. After graduating, she was drawn to a career in mathematics education. She is a four-time speaker for the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics annual conferences and holds secondary Mathematics certification in New Jersey and Michigan. Audrey, her husband Christopher and two daughters, fourteen-year-old Emily and four year old Anna, live on the beautiful shore of Crystal Lake with their dog Samantha and pet snake Xander.
Bob Prentice, Supervisor of Building and Grounds
rprentice@thepathfinderschool.org
Bob went to college (University of Michigan) and began his life’s collage. Part one was Navy time as a pilot of big, old 4-engined, Constellations. Part two, speech therapist, with small, young, children. Then, part three, teaching children in a 6th grade classroom. And finally, part four (up North), finding paths with our students and taking care of the buildings and grounds. Kathy plus Lily and Caitlin complete Bob’s wonderful life. (Not to mention the two dogs and two cats.) Bob has been with Pathfinder since 1983.
B.A. secondary education (speech major/math minor) University of Michigan
Masters – speech pathology
Susan Raven, Extended Day Program Coordinator
sraven@thepathfinderschool.org
Susan has been in the child development field for over 20 years. Susan has taught pre-school at Pathfinder, and she started the extended day program at Pathfinder. Susan has an extensive background in camping. She was the first Camp director at Camp Hoya-Went-Ha. Susan is currently the director of the East Bay Township Day Camp. Susan also works with the Michigan State University extension division in the Parent as Teachers program. Susan is a past Pathfinder parent. Her three children are now in college. Susan enjoys the outdoors, canoeing, camping, and attending Sarah’s, (her daughter) cross country meets at Calvin College.
A.A.S Design - Columbia College
B.S. in Community Development - Central Michigan University
Certifications:
Child Development - Birth to 5 years
Families with Special Needs
Susie Sawyer, Physical Education Teacher
ssawyer@thepathfinderschool.org
Susie returned to our school in 2001 after having taught physical education at The Pathfinder School during the 1992/93 school year. Susie has coached tennis for the past 15 years. She was the girls and boys junior varsity tennis coach at Traverse City Central High School during 1992 & 93. Prior to moving back to Michigan, Susie lived in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and taught for six years at Ravenscroft School in Raleigh, North Carolina where she was also the girls and boys varsity tennis coach at the high school level and named Piedmont Athletic Conference of Independent Schools (PACIS) Tennis Coach of the Year in 1997. Susie also taught physical education and coached boys and girls varsity tennis in Moore County, North Carolina, as well as in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. Susie has also been a tennis teaching professional at the Country Club of North Carolina in Pinehurst, North Carolina and has taught at tennis camps in Wisconsin, Virginia and New Hampshire, during the summers since 1975.
B.S. Physical Education - University of Wisconsin
Kellie Sergent, Administrative Assistant
ksergent@thepathfinderschool.org
Kellie recently joined the Pathfinder staff in September 2009. She has an extensive background in recreation, including working for the National Park Service, YMCA’s in Pennsylvania and Colorado, and a community recreation department. Kellie has a Bachelors in Recreation from Michigan State University and a Masters in Administration from Central Michigan University. Prior to moving back to the area, to be closer to family and friends, Kellie worked at the Grand Blanc Parks and Recreation department for 5 years coordinating youth sports, special events and special needs programs. In May 2009, she received the Autism Angel Award from the Autism Society of Genesee County for her work developing programs and opportunities for autistic children. Kellie enjoys playing and watching a variety of sports, being outdoors, traveling, reading and spending time with her niece Sophia.
BS Recreation- Michigan State University
MS Administration- Central Michigan University
Trisha Short, PreKindergarten Teacher and Summer Camp Director
tshort@thepathfinderschool.org
Trisha has been an early childhood educator for 18 years. She started at Pathfinder in 2007. She has worked as a director, teacher, parent educator, and a mentor for high school students going into the Child Development field. Her Major is in Developmental Education with a specialization in Play, Language and Literacy from Pacific Oaks College. She believes children’s successes start with authentic relationships, comfortable environments and hands on experiences. Not every philosophy or teaching theory works for all children so she creates opportunities for learning to happen through the multiple intelligences and emergent curriculum. To value the child helps instill a love for learning at a young age.
Dr. Karl Sikkenga, Head of School
ksikkenga@thepathfinderschool.org
Karl was born in Oceana County, Michigan, the Asparagus Capital of the World. He grew up in Ann Arbor, where he attended Greenhills School—also his most recent employer prior to becoming Head of School at Pathfinder. At Greenhills, Karl played a number of roles, including Dean of Students, history teacher, and ISACS Accreditation Director. Karl has been working in schools since he began teaching at the age of 21. His work has included designing and teaching a wide assortment of humanities courses at schools in the United States and Kenya, directing plays, coaching soccer, training and supporting teachers, and doing support work on international girls' education through an NGO in Washington DC. Karl has a BA in Psychology and Theater from Wesleyan University in Connecticut and an MA and PhD from the University of Michigan, where his dissertation was a portrait of school principals who retained teaching assignments. Karl lives on the Old Mission Peninsula with his wife, Abby Humphrey, an acupuncturist, and their three daughters: Kaeli, a second grader in Mrs. T’s class; Evie, who is in Trisha Short’s pre-kindergarten; and Roxanne, one year old, who comes by the Pathfinder office frequently to entertain Leisa.
BA Psychology and Theatre Wesleyan University
MA/PHD Educational Foundations and Policy University of Michigan
Duncan Sprattmoran, 7th & 8th Grade Social Studies and Language Arts Teacher
dsprattmoran@thepathfinderschool.org
Growing up in and around Emory University in Atlanta, GA during the 1960s and 70s Duncan Sprattmoran was exposed to the vitality of the New South as it was experiencing the Civil Rights Movement, a vibrant arts and music scene, and the dynamic social changes of the times. He attended The Paideia School, at the time a new alternative school, now one of Atlanta’s premier independent schools. Following sojourns at Emory University and Reed College, in Portland, Oregon, Duncan attended The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington and is a member of the tenth graduating class. Evergreen has consistently been ranked by The US News and World Report as among the top five American state liberal arts colleges. Duncan holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College, one of America’s first non-residential MFA programs.
Following a stint of various manual jobs ranging from being a short order cook and a carpenter to being a tofu crafter, Duncan worked as Artist-in-Residence at both the Leelanau School and the Suttons Bay Public Schools where he taught creative writing to students from the third to twelfth grades. He taught as an adjunct professor in the Communications Division at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City for six years. For 19 years Duncan has taught at The Pathfinder School, working with 6th through 8th graders in Language Arts and Social Studies. During his tenure at Pathfinder, Duncan served as Co-Interim Director for a brief period as well as participating fully in various aspects of the school community.
In addition to teaching, Duncan is a published writer and a painter whose works hang in private and corporate collection throughout America. He participated in many exhibitions of his work in the northern Michigan region and has won Best of Show at the Suttons Bay Art Festival, The Petoskey Art Fair, and the Algonac Art Fair. Duncan has also been the recipient of an Individual Artist Award for Poetry from the State of Michigan Arts Council. He has taught painting and creative writing to children and seniors over the years.
Duncan lives with his wife and younger daughter in an off-grid house in Leelanau County. He is refreshed and revivified by the beauty that surrounds us all and by the vitality and directness of children.
Lynne Tobin, Music Teacher and Strings Ensemble Director
ltobin@thepathfinderschool.org
Lynne teaches PK-8 general music and strings at our school. She has been at Pathfinder since 2002. She is also a cellist with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra and conducts Traverse City’s unique multi-age community orchestra, Bay Chamber Strings. Lynne grew up in Plymouth, Michigan and is a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy. She holds degrees in Cello Performance, a B.M. from the University of Michigan and an M.M. from Northern Illinois University. Prior to moving to the Grand Traverse area, Ms. Tobin taught music and photography at the Emerson School in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Earlier in her career, Ms. Tobin was director of strings at the Savannah Country Day School in Georgia and conducted the SCDS award-winning high school orchestra from which several students matriculated to The Julliard School, Curtis Institute of Music, Oberlin Conservatory and the Cleveland Institute of Music. She was also a cellist with the Savannah Symphony. While in Savannah, the mayor declared April 18, 1994, “LYNNE TOBIN DAY” to honor and thank Ms. Tobin for her many contributions to Savannah’s musical community. Ms. Tobin has presented lectures and clinics for the American Orff-Schulwerk Association, Georgia and Michigan Music Educators Associations, and the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association.
Paula Ward, PreKindergarten Teacher
pward@thepathfinderschool.org
Paula found her true passion through teaching early childhood education. She has been at Pathfinder since 2001 and teaching for 20 years. She spent ten years teaching special education in various capacities including several years as a teacher consultant in both a special education school and an elementary school. Upon connecting her skills and interests with our youngest students as a pre-K teacher Paul discovered a wonderful sense of fulfillment and inspiration which informs her work and is a source of great joy—both for her students and herself! At Pathfinder it is only natural to use music, storytelling, dancing and puppets to foster deeper understanding. This expressive and interactive approach is a trademark of her teaching style. Paula has used her love of puppetry to enrich her classroom, and she has given a puppet workshop at a regional level for the National Educational Association for Young Children. Paula loves to play flute, cross-country ski and kayak. Paula and her husband Paul enjoy spending time with their son Will, daughter Anna and a rascal of a dog!
Education:
B.A. - Eastern Michigan University - Special Education (birth-15 yrs.)
M.A. - Michigan State University - Learning Disability Endorsement
Professional Development
Attends State and National Conferences - N.E.A.Y.C.
Attends yearly Educational Research Seminars
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