JESSIE BELOTE

Grand Rapids: Middle School

Jesse Belote currently teaches 7th-grade ELA at Duncan Lake Middle School in Caledonia, where she's taught ELA to grades 6-7 for 16 years. She graduated from Western Michigan University with both her B.A. in elementary education in 2010 and her M.A. in curriculum and instruction in 2013. Jessie was a part of LMWP's most recent cohort (2025), but she is not new to the creative writing game by any means! In her home district, she coaches competitive creative writing teams that compete at in-person competitions against other schools through the nonprofit JustWrite for both middle and high school. When not working or coaching, Jessie is a busy mom of two young children, and she sings soprano in the Grand Rapids Chamber Choir.

KIM BOLT

Allendale: Middle School

Kim has been an educator for over 25 years, teaching every subject and age group from 8-year-olds to college students. She holds two master’s degrees: one in Secondary Education from Grand Valley State University (Michigan), and one from Queens University (North Carolina) with a fiction emphasis. She has led a number of GVSU summer writing camps, both at the elementary (grades 3-5) and middle school (grades 6-8) levels. At home, she has a husband, three children and one dog (whom she spoils more than her children). In her free time, you'll find her either being active outdoors or cozied up with her nose in a book. 

ERINN CALEY

Allendale: Elementary

Grand Rapids: High School

Ms. Caley is so excited to write with you this summer! She has been teaching for more than 20 years and has worked with learners from preschool through adulthood. For the last 15 years, her work has focused on writing courses at Byron Center High School. She holds an undergraduate degree from Huntington University and Masters degree from GVSU, where she trained as a K-12 literacy specialist. She’s also enjoyed being involved with the Lake Michigan Writing Project since 2015. Outside of her professional life, Ms. Caley loves to write and read and bake. Her greatest delight, though, is spending time with her middle school kid and two mischievous cats.

CLAUSENE CARLSON

Allendale: Elementary

I retired after 32 years of teaching in June 2024. I started my teaching career in Kearsley Community Schools as a middle school resource room teacher before going to Hamilton Community Schools. In Hamilton, I taught second grade for one year and elementary resource room for 28 years. During my years in Hamilton, I served on the building MERT Team and School Leadership Team. As a retiree, I have switched substitute teaching in West Michigan schools. 

I first participated with the LMWP institute in 2017. Since then I have attended many of the summer oppoortunites. Writing has become a source of relaxation, joy, and reflection. I look forward to the opportunity to write with my young fellow writers this summer.

TARYN EVA

Grand Rapids: Elementary

Taryn Eva currently teaches 4th-6th Grade at North Park Montessori, which is part of Grand Rapids Public Schools. Taryn completed her training with the Lake Michigan Writing Project in the Summer of 2016. She also holds her Bachelors degree in Language Arts and Biology from Central Michigan University, a Masters Degree in Literacy Studies from Western Michigan University, and her Educational Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Grand Valley State University. She has been teaching for 24 years, with 15 of those years being with GRPS. She is passionate about teaching all aspects of writing and helping her students find their unique voice. 

AMANDA FISCHER

Allendale: Middle School

Bio coming soon!

KALEY JOHNSON

Grand Rapids: Middle School

Kaley Johnson currently teaches 9th grade ELA and AP Psychology at Northview High School (but used to teach 7/8 for 5 years at Wyoming Jr High so she can still keep up with your Middle Schoolers!). She attended Hope College with an English and Psychology Secondary Education degree in 2018 and went to high school at Forest Hills Eastern. She became part of the Lake Michigan Writing Project in the summer of 2021 and fell in love with the community and fellowship. When she's not working with student council or fellow staff members on varying projects, Kaley Johnson enjoys an exciting game night with family and friends, playing with her cat Taco, and binge-watching the latest Netflix/Hulu dramas (or rewatching Hamilton again). 

LAURA KOZMINSKI

Write Your College Essay

Laura Kozminski teaches writing composition at Grand Rapids Community College, but previously taught high school English in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She earned her B.A. in English Literature from Northwestern University and her M.A. in Secondary Education from the University of Michigan. She is a proud alumni of the Lake Michigan Writer's Program, 2018. She loves teaching writing and enjoys writing her own poetry and short stories. 

SUNDAY LOPEZ

Grand Rapids: Elementary

Bio coming soon!

DUSTIN MORLEY

Allendale: Middle School

Dustin Morley currently teaches English courses including Creative Writing at Jenison High School. He has been teaching since 2011. He graduated from Grand Valley State University in 2011 and became part of the Lake Michigan Writing Project (LMWP) during the summer of 2016. He was part of a group from the LMWP that presented at the National Conference for Teachers of English in St. Louis during the fall of 2017. He has also been part of the Literacy Network through the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District since 2016. A few of his favorite things besides teaching include going on adventures with his family, reading, writing, playing strategy games, being outside, baking anything with chocolate, and drinking coffee.

ANN OOSTERHOUSE

Writing Camp Coordinator

Ann Oosterhouse currently teaches AP English Language and Composition Grandville High School. She holds degrees in Professional Writing, English Language and Literature, and also a Master's of Secondary Education from Grand Valley State University. Ann has been teaching for seventeen years and has been working with the Lake Michigan Writing Project since the summer of 2015. She loves helping young writers find their voices and also realize that the English language is more accessible than they think.

ERIC TOWER

Write Your College Essay

Eric Tower is the English department chair at Grandville High School in Grandville, MI.  A 29-year teaching veteran, he has taught freshman composition and literature and several upper-level electives, including Mythology, Science Fiction and Fantasy Lit, Shakespeare, and a college essay writing class. He has also been a teacher consultant with the National Writing Project for 22 years. His conference presenting credits include the Michigan Reading Association, the Kent ISD Literacy Coaches Network, the Michigan College Access Network, and the West Michigan National College Fair. When not teaching and presenting, Mr. Tower can be found directing high school theatre, running errands, checking in with his three adult children, or falling asleep on the couch when he should be doing one of those other things.