Our Staff

Georgia State University
Atlanta, Georgia
Bachelor of Science in Middle Childhood Education

Marygrove College
Detroit, Michigan
Master in the Art of Teaching

I enjoy reading short stories and biographies.
I enjoy watching sports and going to northern Michigan in the summer.
The thing I enjoy most is being able to watch my own children play sports.

I have been teaching in a variety of school settings for over twenty years.  I enjoy the middle school setting and all the unique qualities students bring to the classroom.

Every place I have taught has been very special.  These opportunities helped me grow and develop as a teacher.  I have taught in big cities and in very rural communities. One thing that I have seen is that all students have a need to learn and be part of a learning community.
The places and grades I have taught are:
Louisville, Kentucky           grades 6-8
Baltimore, Maryland            grade 5
Rockingham, North Carolina     grades 1-4
Ann Arbor, Michigan         grades 6-7

My favorite part of Tappan is the diversity of opportunities we are able to provide for students because our school is located is in this fantastic college town. Go Wolverines!!

My favorite book to read is Animal Farm by George Orwell.  It is a timeless book that reminds us that we cannot stay silent when injustices occur, or we ourselves my fall to the same injustices.

I have a Bachelors Degree from Eastern Michigan University in Elementary Education K-8, Special Education - Emotionally Impaired and Hearing Impaired - K-12, and a minor in Industrial Education.  I have taught in Ann Arbor for 25 years, and the last 16 years have been at Tappan.  I was also a Recreation Administrator for Special Populations for AAPS Community Ed. & Recreation, along with private tutoring of special needs adolescents. I have been a Cooperative Teacher for EMU student teachers for 10 years, and a Mentor of new AAPS Special Education Teachers for 4 years. I enjoy being with my family, music, reading, flowers, photography, vacations, and nature.

I am highly committed special educator who truly cares for my students, believes in their potential, and will advocate for their rights and needs. I love Tappan because I believe the staff here are highly qualified, and committed to the success of their students. 

*Education:  University of Michigan  School of Natural Resources undergraduate degree in Environmental Education.  Master's degree  in  Science Education with  an emphasis in Field Biology- University of Michigan. I've attended all of U  of M's field stations: Geology Camp in  Wyoming, Camp Filibert Roth in the UP,  and the Biological Station in Pellston, MI(4 summers!).

*Interests/passions:  I  own  a small farm  where I board horses and give riding lessons.  I have two horses of my own,  which  I ride dressage,  trail ride.  I  also have 3 pet goats at home.  I also  love hiking in the woods and looking at the natural world.

*Strengths I bring to Tappan:  I began  teaching life science in  1979. I've also taught high  school biology, AP biology,  and at U  of M, secondary science methods.  I  was also  a T.A.  for Ecological Issues and Wildlife Biology.

*Teaching experiences: My first teaching job in biology was at The Pathfinder School  in Traverse  City  from 1979-1986.  I was an adjunct lecturer  at  U of M one semester for secondary science methods.

*Favorite part of Tappan:  I love the supportive atmosphere here at Tappan.

*Favorite book: Prodigal Summer  by Barbara Kingsolver.  She did such a  great  job  researching all the details for the book about the plants and animals in her story.

Craig Beery is in his second year as the Associate Director of Bands at Ann Arbor Huron High School and is starting his first year at Tappan Middle School.  Prior to teaching in Ann Arbor, Mr. Beery taught band for five years at Johannesburg-Lewiston Area Schools and one year at Central Lake/Ellsworth Schools.  

Mr. Beery completed his Master of Music degree in 2008 at Central Michigan University.  He received his Bachelor Degree in Music Education from Central Michigan University in 2000 where he studied saxophone with professor John Nichol.  Mr. Beery and his wife Esther have a daughter, Jayden and a son, Oakley.  Mr. Beery likes to listen to Jazz music and enjoys spending time with family when not working at school.     

Gwen Bonnee, Tappan Middle School counselor, received both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees from Eastern Michigan University.  She loves being able to follow her students for their entire time at Tappan.  "I am so fortunate to have and to have had, the pleasure to work with such wonderful, talented, and enthusiastic students."  Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, bike riding, canoeing, relaxing at the beach, and reading.

Education: I graduated from The University of Michigan with a B.S. in Biology.

Interests/Passions: I enjoy reading, crocheting, vacationing at Lake Michigan, playing tennis, watching football and volunteering at my sons’ school (Lawton).

Experience: I have been at the Tappan Media Center since Fall 2008. Favorite Part of Tappan: I am continually impressed by the dedicated staff here at Tappan and by the quality of students. It’s a very positive atmosphere—and fun. Our (still new) Media Center is pretty impressive, too! Favorite Books: Some of my favorites from Tappan: Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and Holes by Louis Sachar. Some of my other more recent favorites: The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, The Help by Kathryn Stockett and Rocket Men: The Epic Story of the First Men on the Moon by Craig Nelson.

Tappan Orchestra Director Joe DeMarsh was born in Ohio and has lived in Michigan since first grade.  He holds degrees in Music Education and Music Performance from the University of Michigan School of Music.  Mr. DeMarsh began teaching music in the public schools in 1981 and has been the orchestra director at Tappan since 1990.  His groups have consistently received First Division ratings at MSBOA District Band and Orchestra Festival.  Mr. DeMarsh also teaches Music Technology, a creativity/composition class for 8th grade students.  Mr. DeMarsh has been a presenter on Music Technology at music teacher conferences and maintains a busy performing schedule with the Flint Symphony Orchestra and other groups.  He is also a published composer and arranger and is an MSBOA Adjudicator.

Mary J. Fatchett – Bio

I attended the University of Michigan for my undergraduate degree and and Eastern Michigan University for my Master’s Degree in Reading.

I enjoy “puttsying” in my flower gardens, growing a few tomatores in containers, reading, and playing with my two grandsons who are in Texas.

Reading is my passion so it just seemed natural to teach reading.
I began my career in Grand Rapids Teaching 1st grade at East Leonard Elementary.  I moved to Ypsialnti where I worked as a Parapro at Ypsilanti High School in the Social Studies Dept.  I moved that Department to the new high school on Packard Road.  I began as a secretary in charge of student grades and records when we still used key punch cards.  I progressed to Teaching 7th grade lanaguage arts at West Middle School, moved to Chapelle Elementary and taught 6th grade & K-6 Learning center where I taught students in reading and math.  I then took four years off to raise twin daughters who are now 32 years old.  I then taught Adult Basic Education classes for 4 years until hired by Slausson to teach reading for one semester.  I transferred to Tappan, Taught 7th grade Social Studies for one year, 8th grade Langauge Arts for one year, and from then on I taught reading classes.

My favorite part of Tappan is the friendly, cooperative camaraderie of the staff and students.

My favorite book series is the Elizabeth Braun series, “The Cat Who…”

Education: University of Michigan, BA (Math and Science Education); MA
(Curriculum Development)

Interests/Passions: World travel, Skiing, Michigan Football – Go Blue!

Strengths I Bring To Tappan: Enthusiasm for connecting with adolescents
and sharing the “wow factor” of mathematics!

Teaching Experiences: Previously taught both math and science in Southern
California; continue to work with Teacher Candidates through UofM’s
Teacher Education program

Favorite Part of Tappan: The students make my day!

Current Favorite Book: “Here’s Looking at Euclid” by Alex Bellos. It
perfectly combines my love of teaching math, meeting interesting people,
and traveling!

Teaching – 24 years
10 Elementary PE.
14 years Tappan Middle school

Huron High School Coaching Staff – 22 years

HHS Varsity Baseball Coach – 16th year

HHS Head Jv.Coach – 6 years

Steve Goffee was born and raised in Ann Arbor, and was a Pittsfield, Scarlett, Huron graduate in 1979.  Steve and his wife (Kim, also a Huron grad) have four children, 3 girls and a boy, and a new grand son.  Other interests include: music ( the guitar), movies, and food. Steve enjoys spending time with his family and friends.  He was an All-Conference shortstop at Huron his senior year, and also received honors as a 2nd team All-State defensive back on the football team. After High School, Coach Goffee played one year of junior college baseball then transferred to the University of Toledo. After playing fall ball for the Rockets, Steve opted to return home and finish up his degree at EMU.  He spent 22 years coaching baseball at Huron (16) varsity head coach, and has since retired from coaching to watch his son who is now a sophomore at Dexter High School play.  Steve's favorite part of Tappan is the kids.  Everyday is different, and the kids are the ones who make each day different.  You never know what each day will bring. 

Education:
University of Michigan: Bachelor of Arts in Education (Major: Integrated Science. Minor: Math)
Eastern Michigan University: General Science Masters (will graduate in Dec '10)

Interests/Passions: Teaching!  Playing golf and soccer, running, and spending time with my family and friends.  My newest interest is wedding planning, but I'm sure I'll be sick of that soon!

Strengths I bring to Tappan: I think I bring a fun and enthusiastic attitude to Tappan.  I'm interested in getting involved in coaching and trying to find more ways to have a positive impact on my students' lives outside of the classroom.

Teaching Experiences:
Student taught at Burns Park Elementary
Taught 7th grade math and science in Charlotte, NC for a year following college.
I'm currently enjoying my 3rd year at Tappan as a 7th and 8th grade science teacher.

Favorite part of Tappan:  The wonderful staff who have become my close friends and the kids walking in every day saying "Good morning!" and leaving on Fridays wishing me a happy weekend!

Education: B.A. Journalism, University of Michigan
                  M.A., Education, University of Michigan, Elementary Certified,
                  Language Arts and ESL endorsed

     After twenty-some years as a professional writer (television commercials to newspaper feature stories and a lot of real estate brochures in between), I decided to take my literacy skills in a new direction and teach.  That was about 7 years ago and since then I’ve taught at UM, a community college and the Ann Arbor district at the elementary and middle school level.  In this second career, I find I make half as much money, work twice as hard and am 5 times happier.  I’ve lived in Ann Arbor for 20 years and any morning at anytime of the year you’ll see me out jogging – sometimes with my current best friend Dahlia, a yellow lab.  It’s great to be part of the Tappan learning community.

Bonnie Kidd has been the choir director at Ann Arbor Tappan Middle School and co-choir director at Ann Arbor Huron High School since 1993.  She is also the Concert Choir Conductor for the Ann Arbor Youth Chorale, as well as soprano soloist at First Baptist Church in Ann Arbor.  For many years, Ms. Kidd has had students from Tappan Middle School accepted into both the SA and SSA 6,7,8,9 State Honors Choirs.  Ms. Kidd’s middle and high school choirs have consistently received outstanding ratings at both District and State level MSVMA events.  In April 2006, her Huron High School Bel Canto Choir won the Gold prize, and a special judge’s prize at an international choral competition in Verona, Italy.  In January 2010, Bel Canto Choir was awarded the opportunity to perform at the Michigan Music Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan.   Ms. Kidd’s Ann Arbor Youth Chorale Concert Choir has performed with major symphony orchestras, including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Leonard Slatkin.  Ms. Kidd trained as an opera singer at the Juilliard School, Boston University School for the Arts, The Cleveland Institute of Music, and the University of Michigan.  She has sung opera professionally throughout the country and most recently performed “The Snow Queen” by Nancy Faber in Kansas City in June 2010.  Ms. Kidd holds a BM degree in Vocal Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music, in Cleveland, Ohio, and an MM degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.  Bonnie has been married to Robert for the past 26 years and they have one wonderful son named Samuel who is 14 years old.

Education:  Eberwhite Elementary, Slauson Junior High, Pioneer High School

MSU: BA:  Majors in Education, Language Arts, and Justin Morrill College;
minor in Fine Arts

EMU: MA:  Reading

Madonna University:  Reading Apprenticeship (presently enrolled)

Teaching experiences: UM Childrens Hospital volunteer in junior high
                     Head Start volunteer in high school
                     Student teaching completed in Lakenheath, England.
                     Substitute teacher in Northern California and Hawaii.
                     Bryant Elementary 1978-1985  Grades 2-6
                     Tappan Jr. High/Middle School 1985-present  Grades 6-9

Initiatives:  Community partnerships in Law Related Education
             1994 - present

             Annual student participation in Michigan Bar
             Association Lawyers Auxiliary essay contest for grades 6-8

             Tappan Law Club for grades 6-8   2009 - present

             6th grade trip to N. Michigan/Inland Seas  1991-present

Awards: 2000 Michigan Bar Association Lawyers Auxiliary Teacher of the Year
       Lansing, Michigan

       2010 American Bar Association Lawyers Auxiliary Teacher of the Year
       San Francisco, California

Professional interests/passions: Rule of Law, literature, professional
                                development, new technology, humor

Personal interests/passions:  Being with family and friends, reading,
             writing, travel, photography, gardening, fishing, singing,
             laughing, collecting antiques and salt & pepper shakers, new
             technology

Education:  Edinboro State College-B.S. Education, Secondary Education, English;  Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Masters degree in Education, Instructional Media;    University of Michigan-Masters of Arts degree in Library Science.

Interests/passions:  In my spare time I like to sketch, read, work out at the gym, garden, cook, and eat out with friends.  Also, last summer I took voice acting training, so I’m ready to start my second career in voiceovers!

Strengths I bring to Tappan: A love of kids, dedication, and the right stuff to get the job done.

Teaching experiences: In Pennsylvania, I taught high school English for 5 years, as well as being media specialist part-time.  In Florida I taught middle school English, followed by 5 years as a middle school media specialist.  This is my 22nd year in the AAPS as a media specialist.  

Favorite part of Tappan:  I love the students,  staff, and even the building, which reminds me of Hogwart’s School.

Favorite book: #1 favorite of all time---The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett;  Runner-up---Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Harvey

Education:  U. of M.: A.B. Ed., B.F.A., B.G.S.; E.M.U.:  M.A. Ed.

Interests/passions:  I am passionate about reading, traveling, various chocolate-covered food items (or even non-food items, in a pinch), children, my husband, teaching, and laughing.

Strengths I bring to Tappan:  I bring the desire to promote equity and the will to make it happen, the joy of working with the Enough! Club, an interest in effectively and frequently using technology in the classroom, an ongoing effort to improve my practice, a belief in strong communication and mastery learning, and the knowledge that every student deserves and can achieve success.

Teaching experiences: I have taught first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh grade at Thurston, Pattengill, Allen, and Tappan (and I student taught at Logan).

Favorite part of Tappan:  My favorite part of Tappan is the students, of course, and that every day is different.

Favorite book: I have far too many to name all of them in this limited space, but my recent favorites are Cutting for Stone, The Thirteenth Tale, and Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire. I can't wait to read what everyone else puts, so I can get ideas for more books to read.