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 2 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 grew up in Ann Arbor and attended Ann Arbor Public Schools.  I went to Haisley, Forsythe, & Pioneer.  I graduated from Eastern Michigan University with my teaching certificate and BA with a major in math and a minor in science.  I am currently working towards a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction and will graduate in April.

Teaching Experience:

I did my student teaching in Ann Arbor at Thurston Elementary School and subbed in many schools in Ann Arbor.  I spent one year teaching 6^th grade math at Clague, 7^th grade math at Tappan, and Algebra 1/3 at Huron before becoming full time at Tappan.  This is my fifth year at Tappan. 

Interests:

I love to read, scrapbook, bake, travel, and do anything crafty.  I am a huge Michigan Football fan.  My favorite thing to do is spend time with my family.  I have a two-year-old daughter and a baby due in November. 

Favorite Part About Tappan:

I love that Tappan is a place where I enjoy being each day.  I love getting to meet and learn with so many new students each year.  I also love being able to work with people who inspire me.

Education:  Bachelor's Degree in English Literature
                   Eastern Michigan University

Interests:  Cooking is my passion and I especially enjoy making new recipes for my family and friends.  Pizza on the grill is my specialty.  I also love hiking, camping, traveling, visiting National and State Parks, hanging out with my family, and reading.

Experience:  I've been a Teaching Assistant since 2000, working the first 2 years in the Dexter Community Schools, and the remainder in AAPS.  In Ann Arbor schools, I've always worked in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing program, first at Abbot, then Lakewood, and now Tappan.  While I've enjoyed working in the elementary level, I am really liking middle school because of the students and the energy and enthusiasm they bring to the classroom.  Prior to working in the schools, I stayed at home with my four kids.

Strengths:  My love of working and talking with all kids.  Every day I learn so many different things from them.

Favorite part about Tappan:  The caring, friendly staff and awesome students.  I look forward to coming to work at Tappan.   

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.

Education: Criminal Justice

Interests: Family and friends,  boating, swimming, outdoor activities, reading and education

Strengths: Helping with the education of all students, making a difference in the lives of others, volunteering in my local community, and helping with breast cancer awareness

Teaching Experiences: TA Tappan 12 years, Pattengill 1 year

Favorite part of Tappan: Tappan school spirit, staff and students

Favorite Book: The Watson's go to Birmingham 1963

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.

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a Middle School
Endorsement in Language Arts

Interests: Walking and playing with my dog Basil, Canoeing, Camping,
Riding my Bicycle, Spending time with my Dad

Strengths: Smiling and Laughing. I enjoy making children feel success
and making all students feel that they are capable of anything.

Teaching Experiences: Teacher Assistant and Substitute Taught at
Various Schools

Favorite part of Tappan: I enjoy coming to school each day and getting
to know students, teachers, and parents.

Favorite Book: The Iliad by Homer

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 Communication

Eastern Michigan: Masters in Interdisciplinary Technology

Interests: I enjoy sending time with my family and friends, reading, and traveling.

Strengths: Patience!

Teaching Experiences:

¨  Ann Arbor Schools Child Care Supervisor - 1991 - 1994

¨  Teacher Assistant at Roberto Clemente -1994 - 2003

¨  Ypsilanti West Middle School –Taught Technology Education 2002 - 2003

¨  Tappan Middle School ten years teaching Technology Education classes 2003 - present

Favorite part of Tappan: Everyday is different and our students and staff are great!

Favorite Book: Their Eyes Were Watching God

University of Michigan: Bachelor of Arts in Education (Major: Integrated Science. Minor: Math)
Eastern Michigan University: General Science Masters 

Interests/Passions: Teaching!  Playing golf and soccer, running, and spending time with my family and friends.  

Strengths I bring to Tappan: I think I bring a fun and enthusiastic attitude to Tappan.  I'm in charge of after school athletics and clubs so I get to spend a lot of time with the students 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.
Teach 7th and 8th grade science at Tappan

Favorite part of Tappan:  The wonderful staff who have become my close friends and the uniqueness of the kids I get to work with every day!

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.

Education: AB University of Michigan Early Childhood Education
MA Eastern Michigan University

Interests:  I  love to read real books and on Kindle.  I enjoy
puzzles especially number ones. I enjoy time with extended family and
my church family.

Strengths:  I  try to get to know the students and want all to know
I am someone that can help when needed.

Teaching Experiences: Most of my teaching experience has been in
early childhood education. I have been here at Tappan  since 2003.

Favorite part of Tappan:  The staff has always been welcoming.  I
enjoy getting to know all the different types of students we get here.

Favorite Book:  I love too many books to name one.  I really don't
have a favorite anything. I enjoy a variety and it depends on my mood.

I enjoy mysteries to relax.

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 28 years and they have one wonderful son named Samuel who is 16 years old.

Mr. Rene Limon grew up in South Texas.  He came to Michigan after receiving an academic scholarship to Eastern Michigan University where he earned degrees in       Elementary Education, Bilingual Education, Science and Art and is currently in a Masters Program for Educational Leadership.

Mr. Limon started teaching in 2001.  He has experience teaching elementary, middle and high school.  He has also held positions such as lead teacher, school improvement team member, coach and athletic director. 

When not teaching, Mr. Limon likes to travel, go camping, playing sports and spending time outdoors with family and friends. 

I grew up in Ann Arbor and attended Ann Arbor Public Schools including Community High School. At Eastern Michigan University I studied Elementary Education and earned a degree in Special Education: Emotional Impairment with a minor in Language Arts. 

My teaching experience began in 2009, starting with my Student Teaching Experience at Tappan Middle School. Every year I teach something a little different including System 44 (reading), Math Support, Resource Math, and Academic Support. I have also coached 6^th grade boys and girls soccer since the 2010/11 school year.

There are so many great things about Tappan, but my favorite part might be how involved the parents of the students are. Middle School is a time of great growth and maturity and I have been lucky to follow two sets of students from 6^th to 8^th grade. I enjoy watching them learn, change, grow and finally get promoted. Of course the staff at Tappan is amazing and care deeply about the success of each child; the staff works together to help struggling students.

*Education:  I have a Master’s Degree in Deaf Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Deaf Education & Elementary Education from Michigan State University.   I also have an Associate’s Degree from Alpena Community College.

*Interests/passions:  My family is the most important thing to me.  I have a wonderful husband, who is also a teacher in AAPS, and two beautiful daughters.  We also have three dogs!

*Teaching experiences: I taught for five years in Lansing, Michigan in a 3^rd, 4^th, & 5^th grade self-contained Deaf and Hard of Hearing classroom.  I have spent the last 6 years teaching at Forsythe Middle School in the 6^th, 7^th, & 8^th grade self-contained Deaf and Hard of Hearing classroom. Now, let my adventure begin at Tappan!

*Favorite part of Tappan:  The staff and the students!

Education: I earned my Bachelor's degree from EMU with a major in  Math, and my Master's degree from EMU in Middle School  Curriculum.  I have taken additional course work at several other schools, including at MSU.

 

Interests: gardening, camping, backpacking, greyhounds

 

Teams Coached:  Knowledge Master Open, Math Counts, Michigan Math League

 

Teaching Experiences: I began my teaching career in 1987, including teaching at Tappan, Slauson, Clague, UofM (Dearborn), EMU, and MSU.  I also work with the authors of the Connected Mathematics program, providing in-service training to teachers across the country.

Education:

BM from St. Norbert College

2 years of Graduate study at the University of Notre Dame

MA from Eastern Michigan University

The places I have taught:

Graduate Assistant: University Of Notre Dame

(Assistant Director to ‘the Band of the Fighting Irish”)

American School in Tokyo, Japan

Allen Elementary School, AAPS

Clague Middle School, AAPS

Roberto Clemente Development Center, AAPS

My favorite part of Tappan:

The warmth of the people that I meet. I feel like there are many opportunities for lots of wonderful experiences here. I especially appreciate seeing and hear about the important social justice work that the ‘Enough Club’ has done. My favorite books I love to read: ‘Fences’ by August Wilson ‘Angle of Repose’ by Wallace Stegner. 

My favorite books I love to read:

‘Fences’ by August Wilson

‘Angle of Repose’ by Wallace Stegner. 

I love historical fiction. The ‘Stories’ in ‘history’ are so interesting to me. 

My most recent favorite is: Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpoole

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