Next Gen at the Center owes much of its outreach and curriculum development success to a core group of fantastic educators who comprise Next Gen’s Teacher Advisory Committee (TAC). Representing Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, and Otsego counties at all grade levels, and all subjects, these eight educators are integral to programming successes within the Next Gen program.
From assistance with school and district schedules to content and standards alignment, and from school- and district-wide information distribution to programming concept development, TAC members help connect educators and students to impactful opportunities to educate through the arts – at no cost! – through Next Gen.
We like to think of the TAC as a family of education superheroes – hard-working, passionate, kid-focused volunteers who have helped connect more than 29,000 students to the world right here in rural Northern Michigan as the world is brought to our stage.
Next Gen is looking for a new TAC member from Cheboygan. If you or someone you know might be interested, please contact Rachel Sytsma-Reed.
District: Harbor Springs Public Middle and High School
Lives in: St. Ignace
Years Teaching: 21
Currently teaching: 5th grade Music, MS/HS (CTE) Audio Engineering & Video Editing
Passionate about: All things education, the arts, and Lego
Motivation: Pride in the students and programs. Being a positive influence on the students.
District: Harbor Springs Public Schools – Shay Elementary School
Lives in: Harbor Springs
Years Teaching: 30
Currently teaching: Interventionist grades 3-4
Passionate about: Family, education for all and travel
Motivation: Aha moments! I am motivated by the enthusiasm, curiosity and thirst for knowledge that kids have.
District: Petoskey Public Schools – Middle School
Lives in: Petoskey
Years Teaching: 19
Currently teaching: 8th grade ELA, 6th – 8th grade Science and ELA Enrichment
Passionate about: Traveling, teaching and being a good mom
Motivation: I love to teach because every day is different, and I get to work with and inspire the next generation of young adults to find their passions.
District: Petoskey Public Schools
Lives in: Petoskey
Years Teaching: 28
Currently teaching: K-5 Music, Enrichment Choir & Theatre
Passionate about: Music, Cooking, and Pugs
Motivation: Perseverance and the beauty of music.
District: Char-Em Round Lake Education Center
Lives in: Alanson
Years Teaching: 20
Currently teaching: High School Credit Recovery and Life Skills
Passionate about: The outdoors, my family, and theatre
Motivation: My students – they inspire me.
District: Gaylord Community Schools
Lives in: Gaylord
Years Teaching: 20
Currently teaching: High School Spanish, theatre, debate and forensics
Passionate about: The arts, the environment, and social justice
Motivation: The kids! There are so many more rewarding aspects to this job… from the lightbulb moments to the lifelong relationships.
District: East Jordan Elementary School
Lives in: East Jordan
Years Teaching: 7
Currently teaching: 4th grade – all subjects
Passionate about: Sharing my enthusiasm for learning, building lifelong connections with my students and being able to make a difference.
Motivation: The connection I make with my students.
Grade: 9 & 12
Subject: English
County: Charlevoix
District: Boyne City
School: Boyne City High School
A lifelong learner and enthusiastic Secondary English Teacher promoting literacy, competent communication, critical thinking skills, and applications to daily life for all students, with the intention that they may go out into the world prepared to improve upon it.
Whether it’s catching trout in a winding Michigan stream, spending a perfect day on the beach, writing a great poem, or nailing the perfect song around a campfire, I dwell most passionately in the pursuit of such things.
District: Charlevoix Public Schools Elementary
Lives in: Charlevoix
Years Teaching: 27
Currently teaching K-6 General Music
Passionate about: Nature (spending time outside, preferably on a lake), musical theatreand the performing arts, and spending time with family.
Motivation: The opportunities to expose my students to music and the arts – to get them excited about the arts and to have it be life-changing for them like it was for me.
District: Boyne City Public Schools
Lives in: Petoskey
Years Teaching: 30
Currently teaching: K-5 General Music, High School Drama
Passionate about: Happy children who are excited to try 😉, musical theatre, and teaching children that the arts are for everyone.
Motivation: Smiles on children’s faces! Music education can help spark a child's imagination or ignite a lifetime of learning.
