LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced the following appointments to the Governor’s Educator Advisory Council.
“If we’re going to make sure every student can get a great public education, we need a diverse group of educators at the table,” said Gov. Whitmer. “I know this group is ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work boosting our education system and ensuring our students get the skills they need to thrive and our educators are treated with the respect they deserve. I’m excited to work with all of them, and I know that we can accomplish great things together.”
Zeinab Chami, of Dearborn, is an English, AP composition, AP literature, and social justice teacher at Fordson High School in Dearborn Public Schools and the chair of the English Language Arts Department. She earned her Master of Arts in Teaching and Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from The University of Michigan-Dearborn. Ms. Chami is appointed for a term expiring May 9, 2023.
Laura Chang, of Scotts, is an instructional consultant, academic coach, and interventionist at Sunset Lake and Tobey Lake Elementary Schools of Vicksburg Community Schools. She earned her Master of Arts in Education and Professional Development and Bachelor of Science in Education from Western Michigan University. Ms. Chang is appointed to represent the 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year for a term expiring August 31, 2019.
Anthony M. Greenburg, of Lansing, is a professor of college preparatory English at Lansing Community College: The Early College and a member of the Michigan Early and Middle College Association Teacher Leader Network. He earned his Master of Education from Aquinas College and Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Michigan. Mr. Greenburg is appointed for a term expiring May 9, 2021.
Margaret Lincoln, of Ceresco, is the Lakeview District librarian for Lakeview Public Schools and a member of the Michigan Association for Media in Education, American Library Association, and American Association of School Librarians. She earned her Ph.D. in Information Science from the University of North Texas, and Master of Arts in Library Science and Bachelor of Arts in French from the University of Michigan. Dr. Lincoln is appointed for a term expiring May 9, 2023.
Cathy Longstreet, of Hastings, is a counselor with Hastings High School, chair of the K-12 Counseling Department, and an instructor at Michigan College Access Network’s school counselor post-secondary planning course. She earned her Master in Counselor Education from Western Michigan University, Master in the Art of Teaching from Aquinas College, and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Alma College. Ms. Longstreet is appointed for a term expiring May 9, 2021.
Anne Markey, of Detroit, is a kindergarten teacher with The James and Grace Lee Boggs School. She earned her Master of Arts in Educational Studies and Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Spanish, and International Studies from the University of Michigan. Ms. Markey is appointed for a term expiring May 9, 2020.
Angela J. Pérez, of Muskegon, is an elementary Spanish two-way immersion teacher with Muskegon Public Schools. She earned her Master of Arts in Teaching from Aquinas College and Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Grand Valley State University. Mrs. Perez is appointed for a term expiring May 9, 2020.
Benedict L. Pineda, of Lansing, is a middle school social studies, life skills, drama, and speech teacher with Haslett Public Schools, and a former adult education teacher with Holt Public Schools. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Social Science Teaching and English from Michigan State University. Mr. Pineda is appointed for a term expiring May 9, 2021.
Lisa R. Rivard, of East China, is an adjunct professor at Wayne State University and a K-12 language arts consultant for Macomb Intermediate School District. She earned her Ph.D. in Instructional Technology from Wayne State University, educational specialist degree in educational leadership from Oakland University, and Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction and Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Michigan State University. Dr. Rivard is appointed for a term expiring May 9, 2022.
Ramont M. Roberts, of Saginaw, is the Superintendent of Schools for the School District of the City of Saginaw. He earned his Ph.D. in K-12 Educational Administration from Michigan State University, Master of Education in Administration, Planning, and Social Policy from Harvard University Graduate School of Education, and Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies Education from Xavier University of Louisiana. Dr. Roberts is appointed for a term expiring May 9, 2023.
Ruth J.L. Ryynanen, of Chassell, is an English teacher at Houghton High School in Houghton-Portage Township Schools, the chair of the English Department, and head coach of the Houghton High School girls golf team. Ms. Ryynanen is the chair and co-founder of Right Start UP non-profit organization. She earned her Master of Arts in English from Northern Michigan University, Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Michigan, and Bachelor of Arts in Secondary English Education from Michigan Technological University. Ms. Ryynanen is appointed for a term expiring May 9, 2022.
Mandy R. Stewart, of Petoskey, is the principal at Petoskey High School in the Public Schools of Petoskey. She earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction/Educational Sociology from Wayne State University, Master of Arts in Teaching from Marygrove College, and Bachelor of Science in Education from Wayne State University. Dr. Stewart is appointed for a term expiring May 9, 2020.
Gregory Talberg, of Williamston, is an AP psychology, U.S. government, social issues, and sociology teacher with Howell Public Schools, and the former president of Williamston Community Schools Board of Education. He earned his Master of Education in Social Studies Education from the University of Florida, and Master of Educational Administration and Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Michigan State University. Mr. Talberg is appointed for a term expiring May 9, 2023.
Marcus A. Walton, of Commerce Township, is a special education teacher with Detroit Public Schools and the 2011 Special Education Teacher of the Year. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Special Education from Wayne State University. Mr. Walton is appointed for a term expiring May 9, 2022.
Jeffrey C. Whittle, of Eastpointe, is a paraprofessional for the Macomb Intermediate School District and the president of the Macomb Intermediate School District Federation of Paraprofessionals. Mr. Whittle is appointed for a term expiring May 9, 2022.
The Governor’s Educator Advisory Council was created by Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order No. 2019-09. The Council will review and make recommendations regarding legislation relevant to this state’s public education system, identify and analyze issues impacting the effectiveness of Michigan’s public education system, identify best practices in public education and recommend corresponding changes and improvements to Michigan’s public education system, and provide other information or advice relevant to public education.
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