Saginaw Arts & Sciences Academy

Staff Profiles

At the Saginaw Arts & Sciences Academy, we believe the quality of the faculty plays a vital role in providing quality education.

Administration

Dr. Jose Valderas
Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education, K-8 and Bilingual Programs

Thomas N. Barris, Ph.D.
Superintendent , Saginaw Public Schools
Dr. Thomas Barris has worked for the Saginaw Public Schools for over forty years. He is a product of Saginaw Public Schools and attended Jones Elementary, Central Junior High and he was graduated from Saginaw High School. Working with quality teachers and staff, as well as with students, parents and community members, he will provide the district with new strengths under his leadership slated to continue through his retirement following the 2009-10 school year. We thank him for the support he unreservedly gives to the students and staff at SASA and throughout our district.

Janet H. Nash
Principal
Janet Nash has been the Principal of the Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy since 2003. Previously, she was the Vice Principal of Saginaw's Arthur Hill High School and the Assistant Principal of Webber Middle School.

Mrs. Nash has accumulated a wide variety of experience in her work with the Saginaw Public Schools since 1978. She received her B.A. in English and Natural Science from the University of Michigan in 1977 and received her M.A. in Educational Administration from Central Michigan University in 1983.

Mrs. Nash is especially proud of distinctions earned by the academy during her tenure: SASA was named Michigan's Kennedy Center "Creative Ticket" School of Distinction in 2005 by ArtServe MI, and was the recipient of the "Governor's Arts Award" as a premier educational institution for Michigan in 2006.

Mrs. Nash is also the proud parent two SASA graduates: Philip graduated in SASA's first senior class in 2002 and is now working in Seattle as a Computer Science Engineer; and Gretchen, class of 2004, now is a graphic design artist living in California.

Melleretha Moses-Johnson
Assistant Principal
Melleretha Moses-Johnson is the Assistant Principal at SASA. Mrs. Johnson served many years as the District's Subject Area Coordinator for Mathematics and Mathematics Staff Development before coming to SASA as an Administrator.

She has received her degrees from Southern University in Baton Rouge in Mathematics Education and her Master of Science degree in Secondary Mathematics Education. She has completed hours toward her doctorate at Michigan State University. Mrs. Johnson was also a teacher of Mathematics at Arthur Hill High School, Central Middle School, Delta College and Michigan State University prior to her work for the District as a Subject Area Coordinator.In 2009, Ms. Johnson was the recipient of the 2009 Gerstacker Fellowship through Saginaw Valley State University; a fellowship that culminates with a visit to several Asian countries in June 2010.

Mrs. Johnson also serves as SASA's Middle School and High School Athletic Director, MEAP & MME Coordinator, and heads up the school's Pupil Service and Attendance Teams.

Gloria Wendling
Secretary
Gloria Wendling is a Secretary in the main office at SASA. She is a rock upon which the daily operations at SASA rest. She is responsible for school purchasing, payroll, recruitment and enrollment, substitutes and general office equipment and operations. She provides an ongoing link between faculty and parents and is an invaluable asset to the program and our administrative team.

Paula Dasuqi
Secretary
Paula Dasuqi is a Secretary in the main office at SASA. Hers is the first smiling face one will see upon entering the office each day. She is responsible for student records, immunizations, attendance and general office public relations. She is a daily comfort to students under the weather, staff in need of her expertise, and is an invaluable member of the SASA administrative team.

Leisha Gorski
Living Arts Program Coordinator
Leisha Gorski is the Living Arts Program Coordinator for SASA. As Living Arts Coordinator, Ms. Gorski combs the news and area agency networks for artists and speakers who can bring the Arts and Sciences and related careers alive for students at SASA.

Ms. Gorski is also the facilitator for the SASA On-Line Learning Center (fondly known as "Space Camp") which offers countless courses on-line through the Michigan Virtual High School and other national university programs.

Ms. Gorski's son Jacob is a high school Voice-Keyboard student at SASA. Her two daughters, Abbey and Molly, previously attended for the Language Arts Concentration. Molly was a SASA graduate in 2006.

Kevin Culpepper
Campus Security
Mr. Kevin Culpepper is the Campus Security Officer for the Ruben Daniels Lifelong Learning Center facility, and SASA. Mr. Culpepper came to SASA from his previous post at Webber Middle School in 2005. He is a United States Gold Medal champion bodybuilder in the 2005 Natural Olympia, a drug-free international competition involving entries from 37 countries. His has many other titles and awards to his credit, and sends a strong message to students that a healthy body and physique is a critical asset

Cindy Tennant
REAP Coordinator, Security Assistant
Mrs. Tennant joined the SASA staff in the fall of 2000, after having her own licensed day care from 1993 – 2000. Her postion at SASA is part time Security Assistant and part time REAP Coordinator. Mrs. Tennant coordinates all Community Education sports programs and extra-curricular activities offered at SASA through the REAP (Recreation, Enrichment and Athletics) Program. Mrs. Tennant is the Cheerleading Coach for middle school and high school and coordinates the SASA Wear line of clothing for our school. Mrs. Tennant keeps the player and games statistics for our middle school and high school boys and girls basketball and volleyball teams, and announces our games as well as working alongside her husband, Brian Tennant, who coaches the Varsity boys and girls basketball teams at SASA. Her daughter Shannon, a 2005 AHHS & SASA graduate, attended SASA as a 7th year Voice/Keyboard student, and is now in her Senior year at Olivet College, where she plays varsity basketball. Her son Ryan is a 2007 graduate of AHHS.

Middle School

Dance

Meagan Ann Bublitz
Instructor, Dance
Mrs. Meagan Ann Bublitz joined the teaching staff at SASA in September 2008. At SASA, Mrs. Bublitz teaches both the middle and high school AM and PM Dance Concentrations, as well as a Dance/Fitness Elective for high school students.

Mrs. Bublitz is a 2005 BFA graduate of Western Michigan University, majoring in Dance Performance. After graduation, Mrs. Bublitz taught full-time at Perry Woodard School of Dance in Bay City, MI, before coming to SASA. Mrs. Bublitz is also a 2002 graduate of SASA’s dance concentration (enrolled then as Meagan Ann Young), and studied under Instructor Susan Harrigan, who helped to recruit Mrs. Bublitz for the position before she retired in 2008. Mrs. Bublitz is thrilled to be back at SASA teaching, after being a student here herself.

Mrs. Bublitz will continue the long tradition of excellence in Dance at SASA. Her high school students qualified as finalists for both the student choreography and dance performance categories for a treasured place on the WMU stage at the May 2009 MI Youth Arts Festival in Kalamazoo.

Language Arts/Global Studies

Brian Feldman
Instructor
Brian Feldman is SASA's eighth grade Concentration teacher for Global Studies and US History. He also teaches sixth graders in Social Studies and/or English and in an exploratory class called "Rounds" that encompasses Technology Education, Physical Fitness and Critical Thinking/Problem Solving Skills.

Mr. Feldman has received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Saginaw Valley State University in Social Studies and Language Arts. He is certified for all subjects K-5 and has also earned his Master's Degree from SVSU in Educational Leadership.

Mr. Feldman helps SASA eighth grade students to annually raise over $50,000 to fund a week-long spring excursion to Washington, D.C. and Gettysburg as a Living History experience. He is the school's Lead Teacher for Technology, and an avid athlete in area recreation leagues. In 2008, he and other SASA staff will lead the third group of SASA students and staff to Japan.

In 2006 Mr. Feldman was a Saginaw News "Crystal Apple Award" winner and was the VFW District Teacher of the Year in 2005.

Joan Klenk
Instructor
Joan Klenk is the Instructor of Global Studies for the sixth grade Language Arts/Global Studies Concentration students. She also teaches Global Studies to Grade 6 full day students in other concentrations, and sixth grade Rounds exploratory experience courses. Mrs. Klenk is certified for K-8 all subjects with a Bachelor of Science in Education, and has her Masters of Education Degree in Humanities from Central Michigan University. She is also certified to teach Physical Education in grades K-12 and Recreation in the elementary setting. She previously taught Social Studies at the Handley Program for the Creative and Academically Talented in Saginaw.

Lisa Millar
Instructor
Lisa Millar is the Global Studies instructor for the grade 7 Language Arts/Global Studies Cponcentration program. She also teaches Global Studies in grades 6 & 7 and Grade 6 Rounds to students in other concentrations who attend SASA for the full day program. Mrs. Millar received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Michigan State University and has her Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from MSU. Her background also includes a major in Child Development and Grade 9 Social Sciences. She is curently the Middle School Student Council Advisor.

Rachel Reid
Instructor
Rachel Reid is an English/Language Arts Instructor for the Grade 7 & 8 Language Arts Concentrations and for Language Arts for full day students in grades 7 at SASA. Mrs. Reid received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and with a minor in Business Education from Central Michigan University. Prior to coming to SASA, she taught Accelerated Reading, Math, ACT/SAT Preparation and Reading Comprehension Improvement and was a Curriculum Program Manager at the Sylvan Learning Center in Saginaw. She also taught English courses at Saginaw's North Middle School.

Tina (Martina) Leslie
Instructor
Martina Leslie is a teacher of 8th grade English, and 7th grade Algebra Concentration sections at SASA. As someone who chose teaching as a second career in life, Mrs. Leslie has accrued many experiences utilizing her talents, including her prior work as a commercial artist and writer for a Fortune 500 company in the Tri-City area. She also has owned and operated a freelance agency in the Saginaw Valley.

Mrs. Leslie's experience with publishing has aided in publishing her own students’ work through national publishing houses.

Mrs. Leslie has also received her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Saginaw Valley State University, where she worked at many of the Science and Math Camps that were offered during the summer and winter. Her positions at these Science and Math Camps was as a lead team presenter, in charge of organizing the week-long camp’s agenda for students.

At SASA, Mrs. Leslie publishes ‘Dragon Lore’, a paperback book of SASA middle school students’ writing, that is available anywhere in the world on the internet as a paperback and also in e-book format.

Math/Science

Carla Piazza
Instructor
Carla Piazza is an Instructor of Science, Grades 6 and 8 at SASA, for both Concentration and full day students. Ms. Piazza has her Bachelor of Science degree from Western Michigan University, and her Master of Arts degree from Central Michigan University. She has completed additional coursework post-graduate at Purdue University, Indiana University, Indiana Wesleyan University, and other colleges. Her majors are in the areas of General Science, Home Economics/Life Skills and Vocational Education. She has received the ITT Excellence in Education Award in 1998, and the Caffray Excellence in Education Award in 2000. She worked with Project EPIcenter at Purdue University in 1997, the W. Texas Environmental Project at West Texas A&M in 1999, the NASA Project NEW in 2000, the FDA/NSTA Science and Food Safety Project and the Temperate Forest Foundation Teacher Project in 2002.

Jean Marie Learman
Instructor
Jean Marie Learman graduated from Michigan Technological University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. She then spent many years working as an engineer for IBM, Spicer Engineering and Ameritech, before returning to Saginaw Valley State University to obtain her teaching credentials in the early 1990's. She also possesses a Master's Degree in Education from SVSU. Prior to teaching at SASA, Ms. Learman was a Science 9/10 and Physics instructor at Saginaw High School.

Outside of school, Ms. Learman is a locally celebrated and talented musician and composer of music. She plays guitar, flute, whistles, and concertina, but her primary instrument is her voice. Ms. Learman has performed in many community theater productions - including Quilters, Fiddler on the Roof, and West Side Story. She performs in a Celtic band known as EQUINOX, and is a folksinger for many events. In 2003, she and her band helped to re-open the Temple Theatre in Saginaw with their performance in "Saginaw On Stage". She has two CDs with original music as a solo artist and three CDs with her band.

Jerusha Joiner
Mathematics Instructor
Mrs. Joiner is new to the SASA staff in 2006-7 after teaching Mathematics at Webber Middle School for the past 9 years. Mrs. Joiner is trained as a Lead Math teacher for the middle school in the District and will continue in that role at SASA. She also served as Webber's School Quality Chairwoman and plans to be involved in SASA's School Quality efforts.

Mrs. Joiner attended North Branch High School and graduated as Salutatorian of her class. She moved to Saginaw and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Saginaw Valley State University as well as a Master's Degree in Administration. While at Webber she worked tierelessly for the benefit of her students and was nominated by her colleages for the Spirit Award. Her enthusiasm is sure to continue at SASA with one of her first initiatives being to start a math club for 6th grade math students. She will pair up with Mrs. Piazza to teach the 6th grade Math/Science Concentration program, as well as p.m. middle school Math 6 and Pre-Algebra classes.

Mrs. Joiner is a wife and mother of three children. Her oldest daughter attends SASA and is in the 8th grade this fall. Her son and youngest daughter attend Handley. She is an avid athlete and coach. She serves as a volunteer at church and coaches for the YMCA as well as Saginaw Township. She is also the coach for SASA's middle school girls basketball team.

John Barnes
Instructor
John Barnes is a returning staff member at SASA in the fall of 2007. He is presently teaching high school Physics, middle school Science for grades 7 in SASA's morning Concentration blocks, and core Physical Science for grades 9-11.

Graduating from the University of Michigan Aerospace Program in 1989, Mr. Barnes worked in cellular phone development and manufacturing for Motorola Inc. in Chicago. After riding the incredible wave of growth that industry saw in the 90's, he moved on to computer development and manufacturing at Intel corporation in Seattle. Although his engineering career was successful and rewarding in certain ways (a patent in computer design among them), Mr. Barnes found it lacking in intrinsic meaning. He heard his second calling while in an elementary classroom for National Engineering Week.

Mr. Barnes went back to school in 2001 to be an educator, and received an ACE certificate from SVSU in 2002 after a year of student teaching at SASA. He worked at Arthur Hill until 2006, writing several successful grants that culminated in a new computer lab for that building, and coaching Science Quiz Bowl and Cross Country.

Mr. Barnes is currently pursuing his Master's Degree in Instructional Technology at SVSU and is involved in curriculum development for nanotechnology in a state-wide project. He is over the moon about coming home to this "august temple of learning" at SASA. We are very pleased he is back with us to stay.

Martina Leslie
Instructor
Martina Leslie is a teacher of the 7th grade Algebra Concentration sections and 8th grade English. As someone who chose teaching as a second career in life, Mrs. Leslie has accrued many experiences utilizing her talents, including her prior work as a commercial artist and writer for a Fortune 500 company in the Tri-City area. She also has owned and operated a freelance agency in the Saginaw Valley.

Mrs. Leslie's experience with publishing has aided in publishing her own students’ work through national publishing houses.

Mrs. Leslie has also received her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Saginaw Valley State University, where she worked at many of the Science and Math Camps that were offered during the summer and winter. Her positions at these Science and Math Camps was as a lead team presenter, in charge of organizing the week-long camp’s agenda for students.

At SASA, Mrs. Leslie publishes ‘Dragon Lore’, a paperback book of SASA middle school students’ writing, that is available anywhere in the world on the internet as a paperback and also in e-book format. As someone who chose teaching as a second career in life, Mrs. Leslie has accrued many experiences utilizing her talents, including her prior work as a commercial artist and writer for a Fortune 500 company in the Tri-City area. She also has owned and operated a freelance agency in the Saginaw Valley.

Mrs. Leslie's experience with publishing has aided in publishing her own students’ work through national publishing houses.

Mrs. Leslie has also received her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Saginaw Valley State University, where she worked at many of the Science and Math Camps that were offered during the summer and winter. Her positions at these Science and Math Camps was as a lead team presenter, in charge of organizing the week-long camp’s agenda for students.

At SASA, Mrs. Leslie publishes ‘Dragon Lore’, a paperback book of SASA middle school students’ writing, that is available anywhere in the world on the internet as a paperback and also in e-book format.

Mary Cieszlak
Instructor
Mary Cieszlak is one of SASA's 6th grade Concentration teachers for mathematics and science. She also teaches 7th grade Pre-Algebra and two 6th grade science classes.

Ms. Cieszlak has received her Bachelors of Science Degree from Franciscan University of Steubenville (Ohio) and is currently pursuing her Master's in Education Degree in Natural Science from Saginaw Valley State University. For the past 4 years, she has served as our District's K-12 Science and Social Studies Coordinator.

Matthew H. Miller
Instructor
Mr. Miller received his Bachelor of Science degree from Alma College. He was a Graduate Teaching Assistant in General Biology and Zoology at Central Michigan University and a research assistant at the Children's Research Institute in Columbus, Ohio in the field of Molecular Biology. Mr. Miller currently teaches Science in the Math/Science Concentration program at both the middle school and high school level at SASA. His courses are Life Science/Biology, Advanced Placement (AP) Biology, and AP Environmental Science.

Melanie Ristau
Instructor
Ms. Ristau has received her Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University with a General Science major and a Physical Education minor. She earned her Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University in 2008.

Ms. Ristau is also a certified personal trainer under the Nation Council of Strength and Fitness. She teaches Biology, Earth Science, Health, & Physical Education at SASA. She previously taught at North Middle School, Saginaw High and Handley School for the Creative and Academically Talented. Her motto is "Curiosity unlocks the door to the amazing world of Science!"

Michael D. Aide
Instructor
Michael Douglas Aide is an Instructor of Mathematics at SASA. He attended Delta College and Central Michigan University, where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics and Spanish. He is currently taking coursework from CMU while working toward a Master's Degree in Humanities.

Mr. Aide is the Middle School's MathCounts Competition Team Coach and Faculty Sponsor. His team has finished in the top 10 in the state for the past six years.

In 2005, for his outstanding work and record of student achievement, Michael received the Edith May Sliff Outstanding Middle School Mathematics Instructor Award from the American Mathematics Association.

Rose Meister
Instructor
Mrs. Rose Meister is in both the High School English and Middle School Science departments at SASA. She has a Bachelor of Science in Biology and English from the University of Michigan in Flint, Michigan. She is currently pursuing her Chemistry minor at Saginaw Valley State University.

Prior to beginning her teaching degree, Mrs. Meister served as a Military Police officer and Combat Medic in the Army for seven years. Prior to teaching our students at SASA, Mrs. Meister worked in both alternative and traditional High Schools.

Mrs. Meister is a wife and proud mother of two, and loves to knit and read classic novels in any spare time she can find.

Theatre

Colleen Cartwright
Theatre Instructor
Colleen Cartwright joined the teaching staff at SASA in November of 2008. At SASA, Miss Cartwright teaches both the middle and high school Theatre Concentration classes, and co-teaches a 7-12th Musical Theatre class with Mr. Brush. She serves as the director for two high school productions per year and one middle school production. She is also the technical production and activities coordinator for SASA's auditorium.

Miss Cartwright received her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Saginaw Valley State University in 2008. She had a very successful theatre career at SVSU, appearing in nineteen productions, as well as hosting Intercultural Night for the past three years. She received a top acting award each season she was with the Theatre Department at SVSU. In 2006, 2007 and 2009, Miss Cartwright was selected to compete in the acting portion of the Region III Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, hosted this year by SVSU. She competed against over three hundred top college students from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. This year she advanced to the final round, earning a spot in the top sixteen. She was also featured by SVSU in their annual college catalog as a hallmark student in the Theatre department program in 2008-2009.

In her free time, Miss Cartwright loves acting, speaking at various camps and other venues, watching and participating in a wide variety of sports (especially football), traveling, enjoying the outdoors, or finding any kind of random adventure or new experience.

Visual Arts

Becky Sullivan
Instructor
Becky Prine Sullivan has been the SASA 2D Visual Arts teacher for over 26 years as well as the ICONS art and literary magazine co-advisor. ICONS has earned the highest honors through the Columbia Scholastic Press Association adjudication since its inception in 1988. Mrs. Sullivan has her Bachelor of Science Degree from Western Michigan University in K-12 Art. She also possesses a Master's Degree in Art/Education from Saginaw Valley State University. Mrs. Sullivan consistently produces students who earn awards at the local, state and national level. Her students have been recognized through: The Marie Walsh Sharpe Foundation, Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, MI Youth Arts Festival and the Governor's Traveling Exhibit to name a few. It is not unusual for her students to earn college scholarships based on portfolios that have been created in the class. She was the 2002 Coca-Cola Co. Distinguished Teacher of the Arts nominee with her student placing in the top 10% through the ARTS Recognition and Talent Search program.

Sally Allan
Instructor
Sally Allan is the 3D Visual Arts teacher. She received her BA in Art Education and her MA in Curriculum both from Michigan State University. As the Art coordinator for the school district she was part of several teams that developed arts curriculum for the state of Michigan. She has been actively involved in the Michigan Art Education Association and was recognized as Michigan's Art Teacher of the Year in 2002. She has won numerous awards for Art Education service, snow sculpture and her work with Saginaw spellers in the local and regional Spelling Bees.

Mrs. Allan's students have achieved many awards in local, state and national competitions such as Scholastic, MI Art Educator's Association (MAEA) and the Governor's Traveling Art Exhibit through MI Youth Arts. Her students also compete annually in snowsculpting competition in Frankenmuth at the Zehnder’s Snowfest.

Voice/Keyboard

Michael Brush
Instructor
Michael Brush received his Bachelor of Arts from Saginaw Valley State University and his Master of Arts degree from SVSU. In addition to teaching at SASA, Mr. Brush is a well-known jazz/blues keyboardist and songwriter in the Saginaw area. He has produced many recordings and has written music for a variety of applications from the classroom to the community theatre. While he performs with many local musicians, Mr. Brush also performs with his own musical group "BRUSH STREET" all over the state.

Mr. Brush received the All Area Arts Award from the Saginaw Community Enrichment Commission in 1997. He performed with his jazz group for the re-opening of the Saginaw Temple Theatre in December of 2003. He and his group were invited to play in November 2007 for the annual "GUVVY" (Governor's Arts Awards) sponsored by ARTSERVE MI, and held at the grand re-opening of the Detroit Institute of Arts.

Band

Counselor's Corner

Tina Gutierrez
Counselor
Tina Gutierrez joined the SASA staff when the full day program was first offered in 1999. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics, Bilingual and Elementary Education from Central Michigan University, and later earned her Master of Arts degree in Secondary School Counseling. Mrs. Gutierrez is certified in Bilingual Education for Teaching the Spanish-Speaking Child K-12, All Subjects K-8, Mathematics K-12, and Counseling. She is certified as a Global Career Development Facilitator and is a trainer for this certification. Mrs. Gutierrez has taught at all levels, Pre-K through adult, within her areas of certification. Prior to coming to SASA, Mrs. Gutierrez was employed by the Saginaw Career Complex as a Counselor, Math Resource Teacher, and Bilingual Resource Coordinator/Implementer. She has also taught students in Chiapas, Mexico.

Other Courses/Programs

David Sandahl
Instructor, Spanish
Mr. David Sandahl is one of two Spanish teachers at SASA. He teaches both middle school and high school Spanish. Mr. Sandahl received his Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Secondary Education from the prestigious Valparaiso University in the state of Indiana. He has previously lived and studied in Santander, Spain. Mr. Sandahl also coaches/co-coaches the SASA boy's and girl’s varsity soccer teams.

In Mr. Sandahl’s free time, he loves to play a variety of sports, storm-chase, travel, and go camping. He is also an avid Michigan State fan, Go Spartans!

Kasydra J. Goode-Tibbs
Instructor, Spanish
Kasydra Goode-Tibbs is the Instructor for High School as well as sections of grade 7-8 Spanish Language classes at SASA. Ms. Goode-Tibbs received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from Central Michigan University, and her Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership, with an emphasis on Principalship, from Saginaw Valley State University. She is also the Senior Class Advisor at SASA and assists students and the administration with Senior Trip planning, Junior/Senior Prom planning, and Commencement activities.

Sandra Frasle
Media Specialist
Sandra Frasle was granted a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Central Michigan University with a Social Studies major (7-12) and a Sociology minor. Mrs. Frasle is the SASA Library Media Specialist and has received her master's degree in Library and Information Science from Wayne State University in December of 2004. She serves on the school's technology committee and is an advisor to the distance learning program at SASA.

High School

Dance

Global Studies

Cynthia Schneider
Instructor
Cynthia Schneider is the Global Studies Concentration teacher for grades 11-12, and a Language Arts Instructor for high school full day students. Mrs. Schneider has dual majors in History and English from Michigan State University and a Master's degree in Educational Administration from MSU. Saginaw Valley State University was her teacher Certification program institution. She is the Faculty Advisor and Coach for the Model United Nations team, and is the Student Council Advisor for the High School at SASA.

Jared Morningstar
Instructor
Jared Morningstar is the Language Arts concentration instructor for grades 9-10. He also teaches 9th and 10th grade English and History. He is also the ICONS Student Art and Literary Magazine Co-Advisor.

Mr. Morningstar received his Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing with a minor in History from Saginaw Valley State University in 2005. He later earned his secondary teacher certification through SVSU’s ACE Program in 2007. Before coming to SASA, he taught 9th and 10th grade ELA at Arthur Hill High School.

Aside from his love of literature, writing, and history, Mr. Morningstar also has a tremendous passion for sports, politics, and music. He has written several album reviews for bands and artists, and also hosts a weekly Internet radio show.

John Olvera
Instructor
John O. Olvera received his bachelor's and Master's degrees from Loyola University of New Orleans. Mr. Olvera has dual majors in History and Sociology. His Master's degree is in Secondary Teaching. Mr. Olvera is the Instructor of Grades 9-10 Global Studies for the SASA Concentration program in Global Studies, and a teacher of History, Government and Economics for grades 9-12 full-day SASA students. Mr. Olvera previously taught U.S. History and U.S. Geography at Arthur Hill High School. Mr. Olvera is the Advisor for the National Honor Society at SASA. He also coordinates Destination Imagination (DI) participation and is involved with the Optimist Club of Saginaw, the Mayor's Youth Group, the Saginaw County Task Force for Crime Prevention, and Big Brothers of Saginaw.

Language Arts

Mary Calliari
Instructor
Mary Calliari is the High School Yearbook and Journalism/Newspaper instructor as well as a 7th grade English Language Arts teacher. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern Michigan University and a Masters Degree from Central Michigan University. Ms. Calliari has taught in Saginaw schools for 30 years and has spent the last two years as the district’s K-12 English Language Arts coordinator.

Rebekah Rogers
Language Arts Instructor
Rebekah Rogers is the Language Arts Concentration instructor for grade 6. She also is the instructor for Psychology (gr 11-12).

Mrs. Rogers received her Bachelor of Arts in English Education with a minor in Psychology from Saginaw Valley State University. While attending SVSU, she worked as a writing tutor at the university's Writing Center.

Before coming to SASA in the fall of 2006, Mrs. Rogers was a judge for a local Forensics team. Mrs. Rogers is currently pursuing a graduate degree.

Math/Science

Dr. David Allan
Instructor
David Allan teaches high school Physics and Chemistry. He joins us after a career of academic and industrial research. Dr. Allan received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and his Master of Science Degree in Macromolecular Science and Engineering from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He earned his Ph.D. in Polymer Science and Engineering from the University of Michigan. His research interests over the years have emphasized the chemistry and physics of materials, including electrically conductive plastics, materials for optical computers, gels for baby diapers, architectural coatings and coatings for paper, and biofuels.

Dr. Allan keeps active with a variety of hobbies. Currently, these include metalworking and SCUBA diving. He is married with two teenaged sons, both of whom are presently enrolled at SASA.

Dr. Allan has had a lifelong passion for sharing the wonders of science with others and is delighted to join the faculty of SASA.

Stephen Tack
Instructor
Stephen Tack received his Associate's Degree for Delta College and his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Central Michigan University. His major is Mathematics, and he has a minor in both Physical Science and Physical Education. His Master's degree is in Humanities.

Mr. Tack previously taught Math and Physics at Nouvel Catholic Central High School. Mr. Tack is deeply involved in SASA's award-winning Math and Science competitions and teams. He is a mentor for the FIRST Robotics Team 703 Team Phoenix at the Saginaw Career Complex. He also has a black belt in jujitsu and is active in Boy Scouts and the Order of the Arrow.

He is currently working on a second Master's Degree in Physical Education which will be finished the summer of 2007.