Our Amazing Staff
Shauna Alexander
Special Education Teacher
Favorite thing about UMOS: As a special education resource teacher, I love being able to individualize resource sessions to meet students' needs and incorporate their interests.
Melissa Archibald
Special Education Teacher
Favorite thing about UMOS: The students and staff!!
Teacher – Secondary (Math/Business)
Favorite thing about UMOS: I love having the opportunity to work with a diverse group of students from all over the state!
Carrie Beattie
Intervention (Math)
Favorite thing about UMOS: My favorite thing about Uplift is the people! From the staff and admin to the students and their families, everyone is committed to not only academic achievement but also to meaningful relationships and connection. The people who compose UMOS are dedicated to providing a positive learning and working environment. It is truly a joy to be a part of this team!
Special Education Teacher
Favorite thing about UMOS: Getting to meet students from all over the state and the amazing family of coworkers.
Teacher – Secondary (Social Studies)
Favorite thing about UMOS: My favorite thing about UMOS is how we rally around kids to support them academically, socially, and emotionally. We do this through our advisory model where students get to know one staff member well who supports them through their school year as the first point of contact. This has helped me get to know so many wonderful students well through my time here at UMOS. Everyone deserves a champion, and kids who attend UMOS definitely have one (and many more)!
Erika Bushey
Intervention (Reading)
Favorite thing about UMOS: I love the supportive and caring environment and the great relationships with students, families and staff.
Teacher – Elementary
Favorite thing about UMOS: Connecting with students and families all over Michigan!
Janiz Crespo
Guidance Counselor K-8
Favorite thing about UMOS: My favorite thing about UMOS is the passion each person brings to their role to help our students excel in their virtual learning!
Teacher – Elementary
Favorite thing about UMOS: My favorite thing about working for UMOS is how supportive and kind my colleagues are. UMOS staff is the best!
Jonathan DeCou
Administration (Principal)
Favorite thing about UMOS: The staff commitment to ensuring every student's needs are met and helping each student believe in themselves to become successful learners.
Enid Diaz
Enrollment Specialist
Favorite thing about UMOS: I love working at UMOS because everyone has the same vision and is committed to the mission.
Teacher – Secondary (ELA/Science)
Favorite thing about UMOS: I feel like the personalization of education that happens online has tremendous benefits to the students and staff alike. I love that you can be working anywhere with a wifi signal- allowing for life to happen and for true learning. Teaching students how to access their toolbox of life can help them be successful in many areas.
Amanda Fisher
Engagement (Family/Community Liaison)
Favorite thing about UMOS: My favorite thing about UMOS is getting to support students and families from all over the state!
Tracey Fuller
Intervention (Math)
Favorite thing about UMOS: My favorite thing about Uplift is the compassionate atmosphere that is created by staff and students' families.
Jessica Gillespie
Teacher – Elementary
Favorite thing about UMOS: Our amazing staff and families!
Teacher – Secondary (Social Studies/German)
Favorite thing about UMOS: My favorite thing about UMOS is that student success both academically and personally/emotionally drives every single decision at UMOS. UMOS is devoted to caring for the entire student and ensuring that the needs of each individual student is met. I have also never worked or seen a group of more devoted educators who care so deeply about their students.
Teacher – Elementary
Favorite thing about UMOS: I love the camaraderie between the staff and the mutual love we have for doing what's best for our students.
Katherine Impellizzeri
Teacher – Secondary (ELA)
Favorite thing about UMOS: The positive, uplifting, safe, and supportive environment for both staff and students.
Teacher – Secondary (Math/Art)
Favorite thing about UMOS: Everyone is family at Uplift! Our families are our priority, and students have a dedicated advisor that they can lean on. I love being able to get to know my Advisees well over the course of the year.
Special Education Teacher
Favorite thing about UMOS: The staff has been the best group of teachers/administrators that I have worked with. Everyone is so willing to go over the top to help anyone.
Teacher – Secondary (Science/French)
Favorite thing about UMOS: Online students are unique and seeking something different or better than what they’ve experienced in the brick and mortar setting. Being able to use my talents to meet the needs of my unique students is a welcomed challenge.
Guidance Counselor 9-12
Favorite thing about UMOS: Our team's authenticity in wanting to build relationships with our staff, students and families and genuine warmth.
Administration (Superintendent)
Favorite thing about UMOS: My favorite thing about Uplift is the staffs commitment to compassion. The staff at Uplift are kind, supportive, and make this the best place to work!
Teacher – Elementary
Favorite thing about UMOS: My favorite thing about UMOS is that we provide a school where students feel safe because they are learning from their own home. I love how involved the adults at home can be with their student's school experience.
Office (Registrar)
Favorite thing about UMOS: I love the flexibility of being able to work from almost anywhere.
Teacher – Elementary
Favorite thing about UMOS: My favorite things about UMOS is getting to work with my amazing students every day and being a part of an amazing staff.
Enrollment (Director)
Favorite thing about UMOS: My favorite thing about UMOS is sharing with new families what a great online school option we are.
Marcus Moore
Math Intervention Teacher
Favorite thing about UMOS:
Teacher – Elementary
Favorite thing about UMOS: My favorite thing about UMOS is how willing every single person on our staff is to help in any way. Every person cares so much about the school that they want to help solve any problem that arises.
Teacher – Elementary
Favorite thing about UMOS: There are so many incredible things about UMOS and it all starts with the administration, staff, and students. We work together as a team to achieve amazing things. We truly believe in our students and their ability to be successful. We create a nurturing, family environment where everyone is accepted, exactly as they are!
Special Education Department Head
Favorite thing about UMOS: My favorite thing about Uplift is how we are one big family. At UMOS, we support one another, we lead by example, and have high expectations, and are always reaching for the stars!
Intervention (Reading)
Favorite thing about UMOS: My favorite thing about UMOS is getting to work with such amazing staff, students, and families. We have so much love here for what we do and also for each other. Our school is like a giant family.
Teacher – Elementary
Favorite thing about UMOS: Working online with my students allows me the opportunity to see students in there most comfortable environment (home). I get the opportunity to see a whole different side of my students and build more individualized relationships with them.
Elizabeth Racignol
Teacher – Secondary (Math/Art)
Favorite thing about UMOS: My favorite thing about UMOS is the dedication of the Administration and Staff to each other and our students.
Teacher – Secondary (Spanish/NA Electives)
Favorite thing about UMOS: There are many things I like about teaching at UMOS. However, the thing I like most about teaching is my students. I love interacting with them, learning from them, sharing a little bit of my language and culture with them, and seeing the connection between what they are learning and their lives. Having just finished my 16th year of teaching, these things still excite me.
Ashley Shehow
Office (Administrative Assistant)
Favorite thing about UMOS: The amount of heart/love that each staff member has for their students. Providing a high quality education for students in the comfort of their own home, with the flexibility to work at their own pace and on their own schedule.
Teacher – Secondary (Health/PE/NA Electives)
Favorite thing about UMOS: You feel like you are a part of a big family.
Kristine Stariha
Teacher – Secondary (ELA/Chemistry)
Favorite thing about UMOS:
Kayla Sullivan
Teacher – Elementary
Favorite thing about UMOS: I love the people I work with and the students I teach. Everyone is so welcoming and helpful. No one gets to fall through the cracks including students or staff.
Intervention – Title/Testing Coordinator
Favorite thing about UMOS:I love that our entire staff loves and supports the whole student, not just their academics. We truly care about our students and families and want to see them grow!
Intervention (Reading)
Favorite thing about UMOS: The students! The way their faces light up when they learn something new.
Justine Wirtjes
Engagement (Relationship Manager)
Favorite thing about UMOS: My favorite thing about UMOS is the amazing education our staff is providing for my children and the sense of community within the team!
Testimonials
Learn more about the experience teachers and staff members at Uplift Online School
Teacher Testimonial
Michael Bonkoski
Dayna Lundberg
1st Grade Teacher at Uplift
Tonya Lowry
Superintendent & Principal at Uplift
KG-12th Online School
“Together, we have 210 years of experience teaching and 110 years of experience in teaching online.”
Uplift has classes from Kindergarten to 12th grade.
