SPECIAL FACULTY
Ms. Jessica Curley
Media Specialist
Ms. Jessica Curley, Media Specialist
My journey to Peace began with an unexpected interview with Berkeley Schools. After a whirlwind meeting, I found myself signing a contract, and five years later I couldn't be happier to have been offered the position of Media Specialist all those years ago. Prior to Peace, I received my Bachelor's in Elementary Education from Oakland University, my Master’s in Educational Technology from Marygrove College and I have taught just about everything from kindergarten to art. I love having the opportunity to share my passion for reading with students, as well as sharing new technologies!
Mrs. Janine Murphy
Visual Arts Teacher
Mrs. Janine Murphy, Visual Arts Teacher
Senora Kate Jimenez
Spanish Teacher
Senora Kate Jiminez, Spanish Teacher
Mr. Jared Brown
Band Teacher
Mr. Jared Brown, Band Teacher
Mrs. Linda Smith
LSEM K-8 Music Teacher
Mrs. Linda Smith, LSEM K-8 Music Teacher
EXPERIENCE
1979-1987 Michigan National Bank: Teller, Assistant Head Teller, Personal Banking Representative, Branch Manager, Retail Sales and Marketing Training and Development Coordinator.
Chippewa Valley Schools, Clinton Twp. Mi — Music Teacher
2019 Chippewa Valley Elementary Teacher of the Year
2019 Macomb County Elementary Teacher of the Year
https://www.candgnews.com/news/fox-elementarys-smith-named-teacher-of-the-year-113367
August 2023-Present
Music Teacher K-4 Peace Lutheran School
August 1998 - 2022
https://www.chippewavalleyschools.org/profiles/Linda_Smith_Profile/
Director of music - Responsibilities include delivery of national and state standard aligned lessons with respect to grade level in which students can recall information with clarity, comprehension, linking it to a broader purpose or skill in the world in which they live.
My strategies include and are not inclusive to, the integration of collaborative groups, Kagan strategies, the use of technology, including sites as, Plickers, (formative assessments), Edmodo, ClassDojo, Voki, Powtoons, Weebly, and most recently Quavers, Scratch, and Makey Makey. Continued communication with staff, parents and community.
My goal is to help children discover the gift that each of them have been blessed with, to nurture and develop that gift, while providing sustainable tools in instruction in a scaffolded, meaningful, and fun way so that students can recall information as building blocks for other concepts. Each child has been given a gift, and it is our goal as educators and brothers and sisters in Christ, to ensure that we foster a safe, spirit filled environment as we serve and do God’s will. The cross curricular opportunities to do so in fine arts, is incredible, as I deliver information about science and sound waves, integrating STEAM and coding activities such as scratch, makey makey, dash and dot robotics, history from baroque to pop, language arts as it relates to phrases, punctuation, and musical expressions and dynamics, and lastly, mathematics, as the structure of written music is math, with note values, measures, division of notes, and syncopations.
Cherokee Elementary, Clinton Twp., Mi - Music Teacher K-5
August 1998-June 2000
Algonquin Middle School, Clinton Twp. Mi — Choral Director 6-8
August 2000-June 2015
Fox Elementary — Macomb, Mi - Music Teacher K-5
August 2015 - Present
Bethel Lutheran Church - St. Clair Shores, Mi - Youth Ministry Music Director
August 2004-June 2007
In charge of preparing weekly musical performances as they relate to the delivery of the gospel, and pastor’s sermon as well as preparing worship performances for Easter, Christmas, and all holidays throughout the year. Prepared and coordinated women’s retreats, vacation bible school, and assisted with MCREST, providing shelter, food, music, counseling, and other opportunities to the homeless during special times of the year.\
EDUCATION
Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mi — Masters of Education
September 2001-June 2003
Oakland University, Rochester, Mi — Bachelors Music Education
Graduated May 1991 (Including studies with Robert Gladstone, principal bass of the
Detroit Symphony.)
SKILLS
Microsoft Word, Edmodo
Class Dojo, Excel, Power, Pow-toons,
Power Teacher, Google Docs, Scratch, Powerpoint, Voki, Plickers
AWARDS Nominated Teacher of the Year 2017-2018
Chippewa Valley Schools Employee recognition for outstanding service November 2017, March 2018 and April 2018
Second place, 2005 Teacher of the year, Oakland and Macomb County, based on student essay of teacher accomplishments.
Recipient of Yoko Ono’s, John Lennon tour bus grant, bringing technology integration and music composition to the students of Algonquin Middle School.
Recipient of the Chippewa Valley Schools Mini Grant for three consecutive years, 2016, 2017 & 2018.
Recipient Michigan Humanities Council grants bringing the Michigan Opera Theatre to perform for our students both at the Middle school and the elementary school.
Most recently 2018
Recipient of the John T Burke Classroom Education Grant 2017
Recipient of the EduCamp grant bringing STEAM activities into the fine arts music curriculum Fox Elementary
Target Foundation educational field trip grants providing funding to take our students to the Detroit Symphony orchestra educational series.
Recipient of the Target foundation grant which brought fine arts specialists to provide a workshop for our middle school students. Kevin Kennison, Adam Sandler’s professor from NYU and director of auditions for Disney’s High School Musical, conducted a “High School Musical” workshop at Algonquin Middle School.
Symphonic performance experience included: Pontiac Oakland symphony, Bowling Green symphony, Oak-Way symphony, (Once under the baton of Victor Borge) the Scandinavian symphony and the Warren Symphony.
LANGUAGES - English, Spanish
Mrs. Holly Nelson
5th-8th Grade Choir
Mrs. Holly Nelson, 5th-8th Grade Choir
I entered into ministry as a Family Life Director because I have a passion to teach families of every walk of life about Jesus, helping families learn to teach their children and grandchildren, and teach Jesus to others.
“Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come.” Psalm 71:18
Here in Shelby Township, it is important for us, as Christians, to be lights in our community. Peace does that. Peace is a part of my family, and the community at Peace continues to greet my kids and makes our family feel special and loved by Jesus, through the people here. Here at Peace, my ministry continues to be focused on all ages. I work closely with the kids in KidZone (4 years - Grade 4), Junior Youth Ministry (Grades 5-8), High school youth (Grades 9-12), Parents, Grandparents, and adults in every walk of life. I believe it is important for all of us to have continued spiritual growth and a firm foundation when the hardships of this world draw at us.
“If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.” Isaiah 7:9b
This year, at Peace Lutheran School, I have the privilege of being the 5th-8th grade choir teacher. Through weekly rehearsals, students are given the opportunity to use their God-given voices to sing His praise and proclaim His word in song. Music itself, and especially the sung Word, has been a vital part of Christian worship throughout the centuries, and we are proud of this great heritage that we will now pass along to the next generation. I look forward to working with these youth.
Here in Shelby Township, it is important for us, as Christians, to be lights in our community. Peace does that. Peace is a part of my family, and the community at Peace continues to greet my kids and makes our family feel special and loved by Jesus, through the people here. Here at Peace, my ministry continues to be focused on all ages. I work closely with the kids in KidZone (4 years - Grade 4), Junior Youth Ministry (Grades 5-8), High school youth (Grades 9-12), Parents, Grandparents, and adults in every walk of life. I believe it is important for all of us to have continued spiritual growth and a firm foundation when the hardships of this world draw at us.
I have been in ministry as a Family Life Director for over 10 years. I graduated from Concordia Nebraska (Go Bulldogs!) with a Bachelors of Arts in Music, emphasis in Outreach, and a Director of Christian Education Certification. I previously served the people at Trinity Lutheran in Gardnerville, NV (near Lake Tahoe, not anywhere near Vegas) before being called to ministry here at Peace Lutheran in Shelby Township, MI.
Mrs. Jodie McGavin
Physical Education
Mrs. Jodie McGavin, Physical Education
I am starting my 4th year at Peace (20th year teaching) and I have felt like I was home since day one. Prior to Peace, I taught PE and Health at Clintondale Community Schools and Roseville Middle School. I received my Bachelor's in PE, Health and K-12 education from Albion College and my Master's degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Saginaw Valley. I have played and loved sports for as long as I can remember and enjoy passing my skills and knowledge on to my students, keeping them active and having fun!
In my spare time I enjoy running, reliving my sport days by spending countless hours on the baseball field and basketball court with my two sons, spending time with my husband, as well as our new puppy...Sweet Lou.
Mrs. Ronda Spalding
LSEM
Mrs. Ronda Spalding, LSEM
My name is Ronda Spalding and I am super excited to be part of Peace Lutheran School. My desire to be a special education teacher came from my own struggle with dyslexia. I have my Bachelor’s degree from Oakland University and my Masters in Special Education from Grand Canyon University. This is my third year working for Lutheran Special Education Ministries and it is the most rewarding teaching job I have ever had. I love being able to share scriptures and pray with my students. I am a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Utica. I attend Trinity with my husband and four boys. When I am not at work, I love spending time with my family, watching my boys play baseball and cheering for my beloved Detroit Lions and Michigan Wolverines.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.