MEMSPA Mentors and Coaches Directory
Kimberly Gillow
MEMSPA Mentor
Kimberly worked as a public school educator for 27 years in the roles of a speech-language pathologist, a teacher, a literacy interventionist, an instructional coach and an administrator. She recently retired from her position as the Principal of North Creek Elementary in the Chelsea School District and is currently working for a local non-profit to promote improved mental health for the residents of 5 different local communities. Kimberly has mentored teachers, aspiring administrators and administrators throughout her career and has experienced the power of mentoring as both a mentor and a protege. Now more than ever, our school leaders need support. Kimberly aims to continue to support, encourage and lift up our school leaders as we continue the important work of educating our young people.
Therese Damman
MEMSPA Mentor
Therese Damman is currently the proud Principal of Avoca Elementary School in Yale Public School District. She has been in education for 22 years as a classroom teacher, school counselor and administrator. She is a passionate advocate for innovative, student-centered learning.
As the Principal of Avoca Elementary, she has been privileged to lead a phenomenal staff that has earned the recognition of 2021 National Blue Ribbon School and are two-time National Title I Distinguished School nominees. Therese is dedicated to improving the educational setting where students come to learn each day. Examples of this include the implementation of the country’s only Green Read and Ride Room, an Outdoor Classroom, and a school sensory path. She is committed to school innovation, inclusivity, and academic excellence.
Therese leads based on a wholehearted belief that empowering and caring for people not only nurtures a culture of trust and support, but also ignites a collective desire for growth. When students and staff know they are valued and cherished, they become willing and motivated to be their best, fostering an environment where everyone thrives and continuously improves.
Therese was honored to be the MEMSPA 2019 Region 6 Principal Honoree She is also active in the community as a St.Clair County Community Foundation Trustee, Chair of the Women’s Initiative, and Vice Chair of Blue Water Safe Horizons.
Vicki Wilson
MEMSPA Mentor
Vicki Wilson’s educational journey spans 30 years, characterized by a commitment to innovative practices and a passion for nurturing best practice instruction in inclusive environments. Over the course of her career, Vicki dedicated 16 years to the role of elementary principal until her retirement/rewirement in 2023.
At the core of Vicki’s leadership lies a belief in the power to transform education to better serve our youth. Her dedication to establishing a sense of belonging for all students, including children of trauma, marginalized children, LGBTQ+ youth, and any child that does not fit the traditional mold schools have long been structured for has been a driving force behind her work.
Vicki is most known for her work as an instructional leader. Recognizing the need to unify a fragmented school community following a school closing and merger, she went outside the box to implement an approach to instructional rounds with a strength-focus. This innovative strategy not only revitalized the instructional practices within her school but created unity and a new focus from her teachers to be professional learners. Through this commitment to professional learning, Monroe Elementary School was recognized as a Model PLC School by Solution Tree in 2018 until present. Later, Vicki’s approach to instructional rounds caught the attention of other leaders in the field, which eventually led to the publication of her work, Lead With Instructional Rounds, a Lead Like A Pirate Guidebook by Dave Burgess Consulting in 2020.
However, Vicki’s journey was not without its share of challenges. In the ever-evolving landscape of education, she faced her fair share of challenges and self-doubt. Yet, she learned that some of the most valuable lessons are learned when we find ourselves “face down in the arena.” It’s during these trying times that we discover the strength we have to stand back up, dust ourselves off, and continue the vital work we’ve set out to accomplish.
Vicki Wilson’s legacy in education is a testament to her resilience, dedication, and unwavering commitment to creating inclusive, innovative, and empowering learning environments for all students. Her work as an educational leader is not yet done as she hopes to inspire and encourage current educational leaders to lead thoughtfully, creatively, reflectively, and with a kind heart.
Mike Schulte
MEMSPA Mentor
After 33 years in education, I decided it was time to retire and rewire. During my time as an educator, I have taught and coached at the high school level, been an administrator at the elementary, middle, high school and central office levels, and served as athletic director and as curriculum specialist.
My passion revolves around sustaining and revitalizing our educators. My belief is that educators are always there for their students. My concern is “who is there for the educators?” I want to help pick them up, build them up, and bring out the best in them. All while remembering that our work is what we do, not who we are. I believe that in helping to bring out the best in others that I am continuing my growth because this helps to make the best version of me.
I am active in MEMSPA and MIAAA, and am currently on the MEMSPA Region 1 ( Wayne County) board as its retiree member. I have coaching endorsements from NAESP, MEMSPA, and Ribbit Learning, and have participated in Cognitive Coaching training. Additionally, I have completed Leadership Matters and have my Certified Athletic Administrator (CAA) endorsement from MIAAA. While I will never claim to have seen everything and to have all the answers, I certainly have seen a lot in my career as an educator and I have walked along many different paths in many different roles. I am looking forward to putting these experiences to work as a coach for MEMSPA.
Matt Severin
MEMSPA Mentor
Matt Severin currently serves as the principal of Merritt Elementary School in Brandywine Community Schools in Southwest Michigan. With 26 years of experience in education, his career spans various levels teaching high school, middle school, and elementary school. He has also excelled as both a middle and elementary school principal. Matt is an active member of MEMSPA and currently holds the role of Michigan’s NAESP State Representative on the MEMSPA board of directors. His dedication to professional growth is evidenced through NAESP principal mentor certification and Cognitive Coaching proficiencies, as well as successful completion of MEMSPA professional development programs, including Leadership Matters and Leverage Leadership. Matt is passionate about coaching new and aspiring school leaders. As a coach, he continues to seek fresh opportunities to expand his knowledge and skills, ensuring he remains at the forefront of effective school leadership.
Sheri Grove
MEMSPA Mentor
Sheri Grove currently serves as the Executive Director of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction for Wayne-Westland Community Schools. In addition to her current position, Sheri has served as an English and elective teacher, a High School Assistant Principal, Middle School Principal, Executive Director of Professional Development and Accountability, and Executive Director of Instruction over her 27 year career in education.
Cindy Weber
MEMSPA Mentor
Cindy is the former Superintendent of Durand Area Schools. Over her 40 years in education, Cindy has worked as a teacher, vocational education director, principal, curriculum coordinator, assistant superintendent, and superintendent both in Michigan and New York. Cindy was instrumental in the development and implementation of the Thoughtful Classroom Teacher/Principal Effectiveness Frameworks and has published articles in both School Administrator and Educational Leadership on improving teacher effectiveness districtwide. Cindy has mentored numerous new and seasoned principals over the years.
Kate Brohl
MEMSPA Mentor
Kate Brohl serves as the Executive Director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction in the Wayne-Westland Community Schools. In this role she supports the work of curriculum implementation across all Pre-K-6 schools in the district through leading the work of the Instructional Coaches, guiding the work of the District Content Teams, and providing direct support to principals. Throughout her career she has been a classroom teacher, a Reading Recovery Teacher, an Intervention Specialist, a Principal and a National Writing Project Consultant (Eastern Michigan Writing Project 2007). In these many roles, her goal has always been to be an instructional leader and have a positive impact on students. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Bowling Green State University, a Master’s Degree in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove College, and an Administrative Certification through the University of Michigan, Dearborn. In all that she does, both personally and professionally, Kate has a mission to stay balanced, be inspired, and grow.
Michelle Imbrunone
MEMSPA Mentor
Having served as a classroom teacher for over 16 years, assistant principal, principal, superintendent of schools, and education consultant for the Michigan Department of Education, Michelle Imbrunone has vast experience in the educational arena. Currently, Michelle serves the Hamtramck Public School community as Director of Human Resources. Having earned a BA from Wayne State University, Masters in Educational Leadership from SVSU, Education Specialist from SVSU, and her Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Grand Canyon University is anticipated in October of 2020.
As an experienced building and district leader with a demonstrated history of working in the PreK-12 education management industry. Michelle is a strong operations professional experienced in Coaching/Mentoring, Classroom Management, Educator Evaluation, School/District Improvement, Human Resources with a passion for professional growth and retention.
Michelle Warren
MEMSPA Mentor
Michelle Warren is currently an elementary principal who has had 24 years of experience as an educator. She taught elementary special education for 5 years and 3rd grade for 3 years before becoming an elementary administrator. She had 2 years of assistant principal before becoming an elementary principal. She has served as elementary principal in districts ranging in size from approximately 600 to 1800 students. She has experience as Title I director, curriculum director, least restrictive environment liaison, homeless liaison and other district leadership roles. Michelle is highly involved in professional development opportunities with a belief that we must all be continual learners and must develop a strong network of professional contacts. Michelle believes the principal mentorship program is essential in developing a strong network of educational leaders and is looking forward to working with other principals because we are all better when we work as a team.
Mary Cooper
MEMSPA Mentor
Mary is currently the principal of Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School in Ann Arbor. Over her 38 years in education, Mary served as a teacher, writing coordinator, and principal in three states, and nine districts. Her educational passion is positive servant leadership. Mary is a life-long learner, and she is honored be entrusted to King’s 531 Fabulous 5’s through 5th-grade students and their families. Mary has finds great joy and satisfaction in working as a mentor to other principals and assistant principals. If you are interested in learning more about Mary, visit her website, https://marycooper.weebly.com/
Kelley Villa
MEMSPA Mentor
Kelley Villa is the proud principal at Parsons Elementary School in Gibraltar, Michigan which serves approximately 400 students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade. In addition to being an elementary principal for the past 9 years, Kelley has also served as the leader on many district committees and as a classroom teacher during her 30-year career in education. During the last nine years in administration, she has also served as a mentor for many principals in the Wayne County Aspiring Principals’ Academy. One of the highlights of her career was being chosen for the Region 1 principal of the year in 2019. Kelley’s leadership philosophy has remained the same during her educational career. She believes in lighting the fire from within instead of from behind.
Michelle Allen
MEMSPA Mentor
Michelle Allen is a passionate and experienced educational leader eager to contribute to helping Michigan plan for its post-pandemic future by dedicating time, talent and skills as a mentor for educational leaders in Southwest Michigan. Recently retired from St. Joseph Public Schools, Michelle’s 16 years of administrative experience combines with specialized leadership training to prepare her to mentor and support other leaders. Career highlights include being the lead learner in a high functioning professional learning community, facilitating new teacher induction programming, serving as Director of Professional Learning, and managing the evaluation framework for the district. Michelle is a longstanding member of MEMSPA and has recently served the organization as President and Leadership Immersion Program co-facilitator. Leadership and mentor training includes:
Leadership Matters – Cohort X
Cognitive Coaching – Days 1-4
NAESP Certified Principal Mentor
MEMSPA Certified Principal Mentor
PLC at Work Institutes
NSDC (Learning Forward) Academy XVII
MI LIFE Program – Cohort I
Dr. Melissa Usiak
MEMSPA Mentor
Dr. Melissa Usiak is an assistant professor of practice in the Department of Educational Administration at Michigan State University. She is a veteran educator, having served for two decades as a teacher, district coach, assistant principal, and principal in three distinctly different public school districts in Michigan. Dr. Usiak has been a role model and mentor for aspiring school leaders throughout her career. Dr. Usiak invested much of her time and energy building systems to better support students living in poverty, an experience that informs how she approaches school leadership preparation. Particularly noteworthy is Dr. Usiak’s work on developing the leadership capacity of teachers and staff as a means of supporting and sustaining continuous school improvement. Since becoming a faculty member in 2015, Dr. Usiak has continued to assume leadership roles in organizations that serve Michigan practitioners. For example, since 2016 she has served as the executive director of the Michigan Association for Supervision in Curriculum Development, and she is a co-author of Michigan’s Essential School-Wide and Center-Wide Practices in Literacy (2016). She is a 2017 UCEA’s Excellence in Education Award recipient. Dr. Usiak’s passion for leading and learning is infectious and inspires leadership preparation students and her colleagues alike.
Stephanie O’Connor
MEMSPA Mentor
Stephanie is the current Director of Curriculum and Technology for Trenton Public Schools. She has over 25 years of experience as a math and science educator with 16 of those years as a middle level leader. While principal for Boyd W. Arthurs Middle School, Stephanie led the staff through the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform program and earned the Schools to Watch designation in 2012. Redesignation has continued through two additional cycles. As a certified mentor for the National Association of Elementary Schools Principal (NAESP), she has supported new and veteran administrators including those in Wayne RESA’s Aspiring Principals Academy since 2008. Stephanie leads through the work of Adaptive Schools in developing collaborative groups while building master schedules that shape school culture.