Kenneth Janczarek is new Principal at Schickler Elementary

Lapeer Community Schools welcomes Kenneth Janczarek as the new principal at Schickler Elementary School.

Mr. Janczarek comes to Schickler after teaching fourth grade for the last seven years at Waterford Village Elementary in the Waterford School District. He replaces Michelle Bradford, who transferred to Lynch Elementary.

During his tenure in Waterford he was a lead teacher and worked with other teachers to create reading programs for at-risk readers and to realign the district’s science curriculum.

He also served on several teams that focused on curriculum, staff development and scheduling.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in language arts from Siena Heights University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Oakland University.

“I’m extremely excited to start the new school year and meet all of the wonderful families and students at Schickler,” said Mr. Janczarek.

###

Traci Chouinard named Acting Principal at Seaton Elementary School

The Lapeer Community Schools welcomes Traci Chouinard as the Acting Principal at Seaton Elementary School.

Mrs. Chouinard has worked as a teacher in the Lapeer Schools for the last six years and moves to her new job after serving as a second and third-grade teacher at Murphy Elementary School. She has also been a first-grade teacher at Mayfield Elementary and taught early fives and kindergarten at both Irwin and Hadley Elementary Schools.

She replaces Cindi Niblack, who retired at the end of the school year in June.

A lifelong resident of Lapeer County and a graduate of Lapeer East High School, Mrs. Chouinard earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Michigan-Flint and a master’s degree in elementary reading and literacy from Walden University. She also holds an associate’s degree in childhood development from Mott Community College.

Before she began her tenure with the Lapeer Community Schools she co-founded and, for seven years, served as the director of the Little Miracle Early Childhood Center in Metamora.

She and her husband, Chris, live in Metamora with their two children, Emily and Kyle. “As a family, we believe in supporting our community, and we’re involved in many activities.”

Meet Mr. Scott Roper, Lapeer East's new Principal

Mr. Scott Roper, Principal at Brown City Junior/Senior High School for the past five years, is the new Principal at Lapeer East High School.

Current Lapeer East High School Principal Kelly Paige is retiring at the end of the school year.
Mr. Roper’s education career began as a middle school teacher in Danville, Illinois 13 years ago. Later he became a middle school teacher, then high school teacher and basketball coach at Schoolcraft Community Schools near Kalamazoo.

He obtained a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University and a Bachelor of Science Degree with a Major in English from Illinois State University. Mr. Roper also serves on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) and committees for the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA).

In addition to enjoying his family and friends, Mr. Roper is a fan of the outdoors and enjoys hunting, fishing, snowmobiling as well as landscaping, gardening and a recent interest in golf.

“I am a big fan of high school sports and activities, and I look forward to supporting the students at Lapeer East in their various programs of interest,” Mr. Roper said. “Lapeer Community Schools has many great traditions including its commitment to academics.

“It is evident that there is a dedication to provide a school environment which promotes academic, social, and emotional growth. I look forward to collaborating with the staff, students, parents, and community members of Lapeer East in our quest to raise student achievement and promote life-long learning through opportunities which inspire and challenge our students to reach personal, academic, social, and career goals.”

“We are pleased to welcome this dedicated educator to Lapeer East and to our District,” said Superintendent Debbie Thompson.

Tim Zeeman named Principal at Lapeer West

Tim Zeeman was named the new Principal of Lapeer West High School on Friday. Mr. Zeeman had been serving as acting principal of Lapeer West High School since August.

“Tim Zeeman has done a wonderful job at Lapeer West and I am pleased to remove the ‘acting’ title from his position,” said Superintendent Debbie Thompson. “Tim has a wealth of experience in the District, in the community and at Lapeer West High School.”

Zeeman joined the District in 1996, taught English at Lapeer East until 2005 when he was appointed assistant principal and athletic director at Lapeer West. He has a Bachelor’s degree from Albion College and a Master’s degree from Marygrove College.

“I am very humbled and honored to be named Principal at Lapeer West High School. I feel very fortunate to be a part of the Lapeer West family, and I look forward to leading our school toward excellence despite the economic turmoil our state is facing. I am very proud to be a Panther.”

Welcome Principal Jennifer Torok to Turrill Elementary School in the fall

Lapeer Community Schools welcomes Mrs. Jennifer Torok as the new principal at Turrill Elementary School in the fall.

Mrs. Torok comes to Lapeer from Davison Community Schools where her last assignment was as a literacy coach at Hahn Intermediate School.

During her nine-year career at Davison, Mrs. Torok was a literacy coach at the elementary schools, as well as at Hahn and taught gifted and talented students at Central Elementary School and previously taught second grade.

She received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan – Flint, earned a master’s degree in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove College and earned a Specialist’s Degree in educational leadership at Oakland University in June 2009.

She was a graduate of Davison High School and currently lives in Davison with her husband, Ron, and two children, Brennyn and Kaylee. The family loves to camp in their travel trailer and attend their children’s sporting events.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with students, parents and staff at Turrill Elementary,” said Mrs. Torok. “The staff has a reputation for hard work and dedication. I feel very privileged to be joining their effort to help students learn and become more successful.”

Tony Strump named as new Rolland-Warner Middle School Principal

A veteran Lapeer Community Schools administrator, Tony Strump, was selected to be the first principal of the new Rolland-Warner Middle School set to open in the fall of 2010. It is a return trip for him to the place he began his career in 1988.

Mr. Strump has been assistant principal at Zemmer Junior High School for eight years and will continue in that job until the end of the 2009-2010 school year.

A graduate of Kalamazoo College, Mr. Strump began his career as a lead teacher and principal for the alternative education program at the Woodside School, the site of the ongoing renovations of Rolland-Warner Middle School.

Later, he worked in the District’s central office as a supervisor for at-risk students until becoming assistant principal at Zemmer.

In addition to his bachelor’s degree from Kalamazoo College, Mr. Strump has two master’s degrees from Michigan State University, one in curriculum and teaching and the other in adult and continuing education. He is currently working at Oakland University on an Education Specialist Program.

“We want to provide Lapeer Community Schools with a true middle school program at Rolland-Warner and Zemmer and have it be the focus of the community,” he said. “We are putting together this program for our community so that it will become well known throughout the State. That starts at home with the community taking ownership and moving forward with it and doing what is right for kids.”

Mr. Strump lives in Lapeer with his wife, Susan, who is a counselor at North Branch Community Schools.