WKKF-WW Michigan Teaching Fellowship
Meet the 2012 Cohort
Erin Berner | East Grand Rapids, MI | Will attend: Grand Valley State University
- Undergraduate college, class, and major: Grand Valley State University ‘05, biological sciences
Biology research assistant; algebra tutor; former business development representative and claims adjuster; dean’s list and honors student; multiple scholarship recipient; lead teacher, Junior Achievement science academy; graduate of a high-need school district.
Mark Cistaro | Midlothian, IL | Will attend: Grand Valley State University
- Undergraduate college, class, and major: Grand Valley State University ‘12, biology/history (double major)
Laboratory supervisor, quality control for food and pharmaceutical plants, 10+ years; homeschool parent; peer tutor in high school/community; neighborhood tutor; youth soccer coach; fluent in English and American Sign Language, proficient in Spanish.
Ryan Lueker | North Muskegon, MI | Will attend: Grand Valley State University
- Undergraduate college, class, and major: Alma College ‘03, business administration/biology (double major)
Research technician, limnology and ecosystems/environmental research labs; magna cum laude graduate; volunteer teacher’s assistant at high-need school; church youth (high school) leader; financial advisor.
Camden Parks | Lowell, MI | Will attend: Grand Valley State University
- Undergraduate college, class, and major: Michigan State University ‘86, chemistry
- Graduate college, classes, and degrees: Brandeis University ‘91, Ph.D. (computational chemistry), ‘05 M.S. (software engineering)
Computer program writer/software developer, consultant; laboratory graduate teaching assistant; tutor; designer and instructor, organic chemistry course for both graduates/undergraduates; volunteer, no-kill cat shelter, including training in physical exams for cats and public education campaigns; photographer.
Douglas Peterson | Ravenna, MI | Will attend: Grand Valley State University
- Undergraduate college, class, and major: Grand Valley State University ‘11, cell & molecular biology/biomedical sciences (double major)
Laboratory researcher/trainer, laboratory techniques; dean’s list student; undergraduate member, professional society in cell biology; youth (ages 4-8) soccer coach.
Jonathan Reinhard | Grand Rapids, MI | Will attend: Grand Valley State University
- Undergraduate college, class, and major: Grand Valley State University ‘09, physics
High school math/science tutor, both volunteer and private; member, multiple professional and honors societies; paraprofessional/bus driver, public schools; high school drum line instructor/director; graduate of high-need school district.
Angela Rhoades | San Anselmo, CA | Will attend: Grand Valley State University
- Undergraduate college, class, and major: St. Mary’s College (CA) ‘03, biology
- Graduate college, classes, and degrees: St. Joseph College (CT) ‘09, M.S. (biology)
Research technician, cancer research/genetics labs; dean’s list student; summa cum laude graduate; volunteer, wildlife rehabilitation/nature education center; math/science tutor; martial arts black belt, assistant instructor.
Candace VanderVeen | Grand Rapids, MI | Will attend: Grand Valley State University
- Undergraduate college, class, and major: Lynn University ‘08, biology
Patient financial services specialist, area health system; president, university science club; dean’s list student; testing aide, campus disability services; volunteer/mentor, community shelter; volunteer coach, high school softball; college softball player, academic all American and team captain.
Rachael Wilber | Calumet, MI | Will attend: Grand Valley State University
- Undergraduate college, class, and major: Northern Michigan University ‘10, biology-ecology
AmeriCorps member at Big Brothers Big Sisters, running a school-based mentoring program that matches volunteer high school mentors with elementary students; anti-bullying campaign advocate; former state worker, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Allegan State game area.
Page last modified June 28, 2012
