Our Staff

Adam loves learning and helping other learners succeed. He earned his B.A. in graphic design from the University of Tennessee at Martin and his M.A. in French language and literature from Michigan State University. With a particular interest in the field of accessibility, Adam enjoys nothing more than using his skills and creativity to design learning experiences for learners of all backgrounds and abilities. In his spare time, you’ll find him reading, taking a walk at one of his favorite parks, or planning his next trip to France.

Amanda is a course development assistant at Michigan Virtual, where she helps bring to life the design and development of a variety of courses for students and teachers. Amanda was definitely one of those kids who was instantly enchanted and thrived in her educational experiences, both growing up as a curious learner and later on in higher education. She is thrilled to now be shaping others through their own educational growth, especially as technology continues to change our school experiences in incredible ways. Amanda graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre. She has been working for Michigan Virtual since 2017. Outside of work, Amanda enjoys hiking and photography, listening to podcasts, spending time with loved ones and traveling.

Amy began working for Michigan Virtual in November 2021. Prior to working for the organization, she was a technology director at a rural school in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Amy has a B.S. in mathematics and loves math and science. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time outdoors.

Amy is a very analytical person who loves puzzles and problem solving, which makes her great at being a learning applications specialist. She is a graduate of Michigan State University who has been able to gain years of knowledge in delivering great customer experiences. In her free time, she loves to eat ethnic foods (the spicier the better!), spend time with her family and curl up with a good book.

Ana is passionate about UX, design, and digital marketing. Prior to joining the team, she earned her bachelor’s degree in computer science, worked for Tribune Interactive as an online content producer for both Orlando Sentinel & Sun Sentinel publications, and ran her own design agency for 7 years. She lives in Florida, where she loves to spend her free time exploring the Gulf Coast, kayaking, and reading about history.

Andrea is Michigan Virtual’s Mentor Support Manager, and was previously a German instructor with Michigan Virtual since 2008. She has taught German and Spanish at Gladwin Community Schools since 1998. Prior to beginning her teaching career, Andrea lived in Germany for three years. Andrea graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts in German, Spanish and marketing, and earned a secondary teaching certificate from Saginaw Valley State University. She most recently completed a Master of Science degree in international relations from Troy University and holds a certificate in distance education from Indiana University.

Angela possesses over 15 years of experience as a sales and marketing professional armed with strong communication and interpersonal skills. She has broad sales experience from careers within the pharmaceutical, publishing and educational organizations supported by a Bachelor of Arts in advertising from Hampton University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. Angela is adept at creating well-designed solutions for clients to address complex problems, along with excellent analytical and organizational skills that support risk-taking and new business development. She excels at creating and managing business relationships ensuring mutually beneficial results for her clients and the company. Angela is also a dynamic speaker with strong presentation skills to deliver maximum impact to any audience.

Annette is a Grand Valley State University graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and a Bachelor of Arts in English. Prior to working for Michigan Virtual, she taught English at Vestaburg Middle School. Outside of teaching, Annette is passionate about Disney and her family. On weekends she can be found in Grand Rapids with friends or spending time with her husband and dog, Yeti.

Ashley’s passion for organization and problem-solving makes her a great fit for the finance team. Prior to working for Michigan Virtual, Ashley worked for five years as an office manager for a small Muskegon-based commercial painting company doing full-cycle accounts payable and accounts receivable. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, seeing live music (bonus when she can combine the two!), and tending to her plants both indoors and out.

Ashley is a passionate educator who thrives in today’s digital landscape. After teaching in both an online and brick-and-mortar environment, she found that technology could give each student an individualized learning experience that maximized their potential. Through her love of learning, Ashley acquired both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Earth & Atmospheric Sciences. When she isn’t out looking for rocks, Ashley is most likely cuddling her dogs or learning about the newest education technology tool.

Brandon is passionate about helping schools and students reach their full potential, which is why being the western region sales representative is so rewarding. Prior to Michigan Virtual, Brandon worked in the telecommunications field as well as healthcare staffing. When the workday is over, you can find him spending time with his wife and chasing around his two wonderful kids, taking dogs for walks or spending time up north during the summer.

Brennan is an inquisitive individual by nature with a passion for process improvement. He is a graduate of Northwood University with a bachelor’s in Business Management & Marketing. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, working on projects in his woodshop, and working out in the yard when Michigan weather allows.

Energized by challenging problems, Cheri’s solution-oriented mindset is ignited every day in her position at Michigan Virtual. Previous to working at Michigan Virtual, Cheri was a high school science teacher for Brighton Area Schools. This prior experience has allowed Cheri to excel in her position of supporting the learning applications for staff, teachers and students with student success as her top priority.

Christa received her master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Kent State University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She taught middle school language arts and social studies for seven years before coming to work for Michigan Virtual in 2018. As a Research Specialist with the Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute, Christa enjoys using her passion for education, curriculum, research, and writing to share and shape best practices in online and blended learning with other educators not only in Michigan, but nationwide.

Christa is a course development assistant joining Michigan Virtual after working as a public school teacher for 28 years. She enjoys using her creativity and passion for technology to create coursework that will inspire learning. Christa also enjoys writing and painting people and wildlife. She has written, illustrated, and published two children’s books and also paints pet and wildlife portraits using acrylic on a variety of surfaces.

Christy joined the Michigan Virtual team in 2018 as a math instructor. She spent nearly 15 years prior teaching in face-to-face and online programs and also served as a math instructional coach. She has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics secondary education from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree in mathematics from Eastern Michigan University. Christy believes strongly in the power of a growth mindset in and out of the classroom and utilizes these principles to support instructors and students in the online classroom. Outside of the classroom, Christy can be found spending time with her husband and four children, attending sporting events, and reading.

Cristina has worked in education for 15 years in a variety of areas including college residence life, student affairs, and now education technology. While her past work focused on student success through direct student contact, her current work supports students, teachers, schools, and internal staff through technological support within Michigan Virtual’s learning applications. Cristina’s educational background contributes to this work with a B.A.A. in Interpersonal Communication from Central Michigan University and an M.A. in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University. Cristina loves to read, travel, go to Burn Boot Camp, and spend time outside.

Danielle comes to Michigan Virtual’s professional learning services team with over a decade of experience teaching in the classroom. She is passionate about collaborating with educators to create and implement instructional practices that are transformative and liberating. Danielle is a graduate of Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in English and history and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. In her free time, she enjoys reading, acting, crafting, and spending time with her family.

Denise began her career in teaching after receiving her degree from Central Michigan University. After teaching business and math, she ventured into the business world to gain more knowledge for teaching but never returned to the classroom. Serving in various administrative and executive positions over the years, her career has happily made a full circle back to the field of education. The combination of customer care and working with learners is a perfect match for her.

Dr. Tovah Sheldon is a School Design Strategist for Michigan Virtual.  For 20+ years, Dr. Sheldon has served pK-12 and higher education as a dynamic leader and educator driving positive change.  Her expertise ranges from instruction to capacity building to systems change.  She has a passion to cultivate relationships, bring innovation to spaces managing complex change, and promote equity and opportunities for ALL. Additionally, Dr. Sheldon serves on various boards while enjoying time with her family and going on adventures.

Emile joins Michigan Virtual as a marketing specialist with a strong background in both education and advertising. Equipped with a Bachelor’s in advertising from the University of South Carolina and a Master’s in marketing from Western Governors University, she’s not just a marketer but a lifelong learner. Outside of work, you’ll find her spending time with family, reading, or playing video games!

Erica believes in the power that language has to inspire and connect people and can embrace that daily in her role as French subject matter expert at Michigan Virtual. She is a graduate of Michigan State University, where she received a master’s degree in French language and literature, taught French undergraduate courses, and helped lead a summer study abroad program. In her spare time, Erica enjoys traveling, spending time with her husband, extra-long walks with their dog, and engaging in various DIY projects around the house.

Holly started working at Michigan Virtual as an instructor in our science department in 2013. In this time, she developed a passion for sharing best practices in online instruction with her fellow teachers as well as growing her student’s capacity for working successfully in an online environment. In 2019 she started working with the instructors in our Collaborative Partnerships and now enjoys supporting online teachers from all over the state! Holly is also a Google Certified Trainer. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Oakland University (Go Grizzlies!) and her master’s degree in teaching from Wayne State University. Along with having a passion for teaching and science, she enjoys traveling, gardening, going to the gym, and spending time with my family.

Holly is excited to blend her education and information technology backgrounds together on the Instructional Product Development team at Michigan Virtual. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree at MSU, Holly taught middle school and high school math. She then earned a master’s degree from MSU in curriculum and teaching and worked in school administration before becoming a curriculum developer and business analyst at an IT consulting firm. When she’s not at work, Holly enjoys reading, several outdoor sports, and most of all, spending time with her family.

Jef has worked as an instructional designer at Michigan Virtual since 2023. In this role, Jef enjoys collaborating with other educators to create engaging, student-centered learning experiences. Prior to starting at Michigan Virtual, Jef held similar positions at Western Michigan University, Mid Michigan College, and Northern Michigan University. In his spare time, he can be found reading, enjoying the great outdoors, or playing a recreational sport.

Jen has been with Michigan Virtual for more than a decade sprinkling technical writing magic to make complicated processes a breeze. Beyond her wordsmith wizardry, Jen doubles as an application specialist, enhancing our organization’s efficiency and collaboration. When not immersed in tech wonders, Jen’s charm shines through as she enjoys quality time with friends and family, adding warmth to both work and life.

Jennifer loves to connect with people and match their qualifications and passions with employment opportunities that advance K-12 education. She holds both a bachelor’s in personnel management and a master’s of labor relations and human resources from Michigan State University. Her past human resources experience includes 10-plus years in benefits and compensation at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in Battle Creek and four-plus years as a human resources partner at Sparrow Clinton Hospital where she recruited and on-boarded health care professionals, managed caregiver relations and coordinated the labor negotiation process. When not at work, you will most likely find Jennifer spending time with her son, reading or playing tennis.

Jonelle Barker started working at Michigan Virtual in October 2021. She enjoys working and supporting students. Prior to working at Michigan Virtual, Jonelle worked at an elementary school as an at-risk teacher. She lives in Howell with her husband, two children, and their dog. Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her family.

Josh has over 15 years of web and graphic design experience and nearly a decade of higher education and nonprofit experience. With a bachelor’s degree in management information systems from Northwood University, he seeks to simultaneously make things beautiful and functional. When Josh isn’t passionately creating beautiful digital and print material, he’s spending time with his wife and daughters.

Justin has 15 years of experience in education, working to innovate and make learning a better experience for those of all ages. He’s worked in research and policy, product management, and as an 8th-grade social studies teacher in his home state of Louisiana. He earned a B.A. and M.A. in education from Louisiana State University as well as a master’s in educational technology from Boise State University. His focus areas include artificial intelligence in education, agile and innovative learning development, adult learning theory, and instructional design.

Kathy began her adventures with Michigan Virtual in June 2018. Before this, her adventures included being an educator with a strong curiosity about what technology can do for education. This interest led her to start pursuing her master’s in educational technology. When she’s not plugged into technology, you can usually find her creating something in her sketchbook, practicing her photography skills or making her own yarn.

Kelli serves as the Learning Services Coordinator at Michigan Virtual and is invested in bringing positive experiences to others, both personally and professionally. Her detail-oriented nature and dedication to process improvement make her a great match for the Technology Operations team! Kelli’s focus is on elevating the function and value of the services offered by Michigan Virtual, ensuring that the best possible support is provided to colleagues and partners alike. Beyond the office, you’ll find Kelli exploring the great outdoors with her husband and their dog Fitz, enjoying activities like running, kayaking, and hiking.

Kelly likes working for Michigan Virtual because the core values of putting people first and acting with integrity are part of her values and to work for a company that feels the same is very important to her. Kelly’s family of five children and four grandchildren are spread out over the country. One of her greatest joys is to visit them. Kelly’s hobbies are quilting, gardening, walking and cooking. She loves cooking for family and friends.

Kimberly comes to the instructional design team with seven years of experience teaching full-time online. She received her bachelor’s degree in secondary education and master’s degree from WMU in Kalamazoo and enjoys spending time at Lake Michigan. She is a life-long learner and loves the independence that comes with learning something new. She completed the Camino de Santiago in 2010 and cannot wait to do it again!

Dr. DeBruler is the Assistant Director of the Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute. She has been in the field of K-12 online education for nearly a decade and joined Michigan Virtual in 2012. During that time she conducted research on preparing K-12 online teachers and supporting K-12 students. Some of that work focused specifically on K-12 online teacher preparation, K-12 online learner demographics and success at several state virtual schools, and learning trajectories in K-12 online mathematics courses. Dr. DeBruler received her doctorate in Educational Psychology and Educational Technology from Michigan State University and has experience teaching at the Master’s level, both face-to-face and online.

Kristi has spent 26 years teaching in brick-and-mortar classrooms in elementary, middle, and high school career and technical education courses. Kristi has been working with Michigan Virtual since 2014 as a learner. She later served as a presenter in their blended learning programs and as a blended learning coach for public schools. Her passions include being a life-long learner and innovating instruction to provide quality and engaging learning experiences.

Kristi is the Assistant Director of Instructional Product Development for Michigan Virtual. She has been in the field of education for roughly 30 years. She has taught in face-to-face, blended and online environments at all levels: kindergarten through community college, including alternative education and adult education. Kristi had the opportunity to participate in NASA’s Frigid 2003 research as a “Teacher on the North Pole.” She has been working for Michigan Virtual since 2007.

Kristi Teall serves as a school design strategist for Michigan Virtual. She is passionate about seeing kids and educators succeed. Leading change, building capacity, and guiding innovation are her strengths. Kristi has been recognized both at the state and national levels for her work with at-risk students. Kristi currently serves as the President of MASFPS. In her free time, you can find Kristi enjoying time on the lake and among her flowers.

Lisa is a dedicated educator who truly believes that education is the key to changing the world. She holds a degree in English and secondary education from the University of Detroit-Mercy, as well as Master’s degrees in Special Education and Educational Administration from Saginaw Valley State University and Eastern Michigan University, respectively. Lisa joined Michigan Virtual in 2012 and has served as a part-time instructor, full time instructor, Outreach Coordinator for Special Populations, and currently as the Special Education & Instructional Support Manager. Outside of education, Lisa enjoys reading, listening to true crime podcasts, and spending time with her husband and two sons.

Marisa has been in the instructional design field for 5 years in higher education. She holds a B.S. in secondary English education, an M.A. in literature, and an M.A. in learning, design, and technology. When she is not at work, you can find her in the gym or spending time with her pets and family.

Melanie joined Michigan Virtual in 2001 and is the Senior Systems Analyst. Melanie earned a Master of Science in computer science from Central Michigan University and held various IT roles during her 14-year-career at Lansing Community College. Mel served on the LCC team that implemented the first completely online degree offered by a Michigan community college. Her non-IT past includes race track pari-mutuel manager and school board member. Mel enjoys dancing, sewing, and bicycling.

Melissa has worked for Michigan Virtual since February 2018. After graduating from Michigan State University in 2013, she has worked professionally as a clinical laboratory specialist, and she still lurks the halls of a hospital on an occasional weekend. Melissa lives with her husband and young children and is loving the life of being a wife and mom. She enjoys catching a good movie, camping and being outside.

Michael Allen brings the experience of a rich and varied professional career in management, customer service and technical support to his work with Michigan Virtual. A father of two and lifelong Michigander, his interest in the improvement of educational opportunities for all students traces back to years on the boards of his daughters’ pre-school and their elementary school PTOs, as well as a large neighborhood advocacy organization where he focused on local school issues. He is an avid gardener, Pilates practitioner and occasional poet.

Mike is an enthusiastic leader who is committed to educational excellence and building strong relationships with students, staff and stakeholders. He has a wealth of experience, including a background in business prior to entering education. Mike holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business education from Central Michigan University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Western Michigan University. He has over 25 years of experience in public education as a teacher, coach, athletic director, assistant principal and as a high school principal. Mike and his wife, Missy, have two daughters, Danielle and Hayden, and they all enjoy spending time skiing on the water and the slopes in their free time.

Midori is an instructional designer for Michigan Virtual and is a former World Language educator. She loves what she does because designing online courses allows her to continue to be an educator. She earned her Master of Art at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, focusing on educational technology.

Nicole brings a varied background in education, hospitality, and healthcare to her role at Michigan Virtual. Prior to joining the team, Nicole was living in Florida, working as a Cast Member at the Walt Disney World Resort. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Mercy College of Ohio. As a board member of her Alumni Association, she supports students through charitable, educational, and social efforts. Her areas of interest are UX design and social-emotional learning. Outside of work, you can find her checking out a new coffee shop, reading, spending time in nature, or hanging out with family and friends.

Nighat is the accounting manager for finance at Michigan Virtual. She has an MBA in corporate accounting from Michigan State University. Nighat loves working at Michigan Virtual because she feels like she is making a difference in the lives of children through education. She loves spending time with her kids, listening to music and reading books.

Dr. Nikolas McGehee has a passion for improving education through research and innovation. He has expertise in advanced research methodologies and analytics as well as STEM education practices, trends, and issues. He has two children, Jace and Ellie, and dreams of making large-scale changes in education so that they can learn and excel in a world where students achieve their dreams and goals through exceptional educational opportunities.

Rosie is an Instructional Designer at Michigan Virtual. She earned a Master of Arts in Serious Game Design and a Bachelor of Science in Child Development from Michigan State University (Go Green!). Before joining the team, Rosie worked for a small consulting company, where she conducted research with children to better understand how they experience, engage with and learn from different digital interfaces. She used these insights, along with theoretical knowledge and classroom experience, to create engaging educational experiences for kids and families. When she’s not working, Rosie can be found spending time outdoors with friends and family.

Shelia started working for Michigan Virtual in November of 2016. During that time she has greatly enjoyed becoming a valuable part of the Infrastructure, Research and Professional Learning Services teams. Her passion for learning, helping others succeed and organizing makes the company a great fit for her. Before working at Michigan Virtual, Shelia worked as an executive assistant to the Creative Solutions department at Amway for 15 years. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling internationally and domestically, taking her dog King for long walks, spending time with her family and friends and performing in musical theater.

Stephanie enjoys working for Michigan Virtual because it combines two of her favorite things — helping people and working as a team. Stephanie’s previous experiences include employment at an asbestos abatement company, a church, and a law office, all of which helped her become the well-rounded employee that she is today. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her kids, baking, and reading.

Subodh is a seasoned troubleshooter who also likes to extract information and different metrics from complex data to help a business succeed in their goals. He played different roles in the technology field for over 18 years and continuing his passion for technology, Subodh earned a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Electronics Engineering from Pune University. He is particularly interested in integrating new technologies to improve the quality of the work and customer satisfaction. He spends most of his free time with family playing board games or working on projects with his daughters.

Shortly after graduating from Michigan State University, Taylor became a part of the Michigan Virtual team as a student success coach. Before joining the company, she was involved in various organizations. Taylor was a Girl Scouts leader, created a Help the Homeless seminar, and volunteered at after-school programs for refugee students. When she is not working in these organizations, she enjoys her time at home watching Marvel movies and the sitcom Friends. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in clinical psychology.

Teresa is passionate about structure, organization and detail, which makes her long career at Michigan Virtual as the Accounting Specialist the perfect occupation for her. Prior to working at Michigan Virtual, Teresa worked three years as a bookkeeper for a small, mid-Michigan based machining business. Before that, she was a switchboard operator for three years, and she also provided daycare in her home for three years. When not balancing numbers, you can find her working on her latest crochet project, or volunteering time to her faith.

Tracy joined Michigan Virtual in 2009. In her role as a School Design Project Coordinator, she supports the consulting services team of educators experienced in online, blended, personalized, and competency-based learning models. She is fueled by the passion in the K-12 community to make a difference for every learner. At home, she finds joy in spending time with family and friends, audiobooks, and nurturing her flower gardens.