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Our Leadership

​Nancy Kouba - Principal

 

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Education:

  • Master of Arts Degree in School Principalship from Central Michigan University, 2006
  • Master in the Art of Teaching Degree from Marygrove College, 2001
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Wayne State University, 1997
  • University of Michigan, Dearborn, attended 1992-1994
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Previous education experience and number of years in the field:

I began my teaching career in the fall of 1997 teaching elementary school with Detroit Public Schools. I came to Metro Academy as a Middle School Language Arts teacher in 2001. I taught English and Language Arts until I moved into the Middle School Dean role in the fall of 2008. In fall of 2009, I transitioned into a “Principal-in-Residence” position and was able to have on-the-job-training to help me prepare for assuming the Principal position in the fall of 2010. All told, in my 14 years in education, I have taught Kindergarten through 8th grade, all subjects, and am currently in my third year in a leadership position.

 

What do you like most about working here?

I think that our staff and our families are absolutely outstanding!  My favorite part is seeing and talking with staff, students, and parents every morning when I come to work. Another thing I love about Metro is when former students come back and visit. They come back quite often and tell us that Metro did a good job getting them ready for high school and college!

 

Other work experience:

I worked my way through high school and college (mostly in customer service positions) and even worked a second job during my first four years as a teacher.

 

Personal Information:

I am married to Nick, a Golf Professional who runs a golf course in Hartland, Michigan. We have two energetic sons, Cameron (5) and Carson (2). I spend any free time I have with family and friends and I try to read as many good books as I can!

  

Colleen Stevens, K-2 Dean

 

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Education:

I graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a B.S. in elementary education. I received my master’s in education from Grand Valley State University with a focus on educational leadership.

 

Previous education experience and number of years in the field:

While at Metro, I taught kindergarten for four and a half years before I became an administrator. Prior to coming to Metro, I owned a day care/pre-school center, taught fifth, sixth and first grades.

  

What do you like most about working here?

Metro’s students are the best! I enjoy working with them.

 

Other work experience:

Other than education, I have worked in banks and was once a sales report for Michigan and Ohio for an egg farm!

 

Personal Information:

I have two sons, a daughter and four grandchildren. I enjoy gardening, pets (I have a dog and two cats), bird-watching and reading.

 

Shelli Wildfong, 3-5 Dean

 

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Education:

  • Master of Arts Degree in School Leadership from Central Michigan University, 2010
  • Eastern Michigan University, several courses in School Counseling, 2002-2004
  • Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Michigan, Flint, 1999

Previous education experience and number of years in the field:

I began teaching at Metro 11 years ago; the first year we opened. I taught second grade for 7 years, was a curriculum specialist for 2 years, and have been in a leadership position as a Dean for the last 2 years.

 

What do you like most about working here?

My favorite part about Metro is all the families I have had the opportunity to know over the last eleven years. I really enjoy seeing our students and their families grow throughout the years.

Other work experience:

I worked in sales at a corrugated boxes company, provided customer service for several years in sales at a bridal shop, worked in the technology department during college, and at TCBY Yogurt shops. I have been in college and working my entire adult life!

 

Personal Information:

I have been married for ten years to my husband Dave. We have a son, Colin, who is eight and a daughter, Sophia, who is six. As a family, we love spending time visiting historical places, going to the movies, shopping, and playing together at water parks.

 
  

Alvin Ward, Middle School Dean

 

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Education:

Bachelor of Arts in History - Michigan State University
Master of Arts in Curriculum and Teaching - Michigan State University
Bachelor of Arts in History - Michigan State University
Education Specialist Certificate in Administration and Supervision - Wayne State University
 

 

Previous education experience and number of years in the field:

Special Education Instructor – Detroit Western International High School
History Instructor - Detroit Western International School
Special Education Instructor – Marilyn F. Lundy Academy
Special Education Coordinator – David Ellis Academy
Middle School Dean – Metro Charter Academy
10 years in the field

  

What do you like most about working here?

I truly enjoy the dedication and hard work of the staff here at Metro. We work hard every day to educate our students and provide the best educational environment that we could possibly provide. Also, there is a sense of family among staff members. The dedication of staff to helping every student here at Metro succeed, along with the sense of family among staff makes Metro a great place to work and grow as an educator!  
 

Other work experience we might want to mention:

Owned and operated a Subway restaurant