Meet our teachers, staff and school board
Our teachers are a group of dedicated educators who work tirelessly to teach our students core values, traditional education curriculum and help guide them as they grow and explore their interests.
Mary Owens
Administrator
Junior & Senior English
mowens@skeelschristianschool.com
Praise the Lord for the privilege of serving at Skeels Christian School for 26 years!! I cannot begin to describe the amazing ways that we have seen the Lord work! Sometimes he pushes and moves us in ways we never anticipate. And that is what He has done this year, I have moved to a full-time position as Administrator.
Brei Siegert
Elementary Math & English Teacher
bsiegert@skeelschristianschool.com
My name is Brei Siegert and this is my 14th year teaching at Skeels. My husband’s name is Chris and he is a Detective Lieutenant for the Michigan State Police. We are both from Gladwin and have been blessed to raise our two children here. Our daughter’s name is Triniti and she is studying to be a nurse at Mid-Michigan College and currently works as a Patient Care Technician. Our son Treyton is a Senior this year and is very active in just about any sport you can imagine.
I graduated from Western Michigan University with my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a major in English. When we started our family, I opened a day care out of my home and continued to run that for 7 years so I could stay at home with our two children. When a position at Skeels opened up I jumped at the chance and have loved getting to share Jesus with so many young people. I have a passion for teaching, learning, and loving children through showing the love of Christ that has so abundantly been shown to me.
My family and I absolutely love all things sports. We all enjoy boating and vacationing to warm places with family and friends. Chris and I are looking forward to spending winters in warm places someday…. a few years down the road! I love good coffee, dark chocolate, and eating out with my hubby and friends. I continue to be amazed by God’s love and protection over my family and me. We have gotten to see Him work in some unexpected, yet mighty ways. I am looking forward to seeing how God works in and through my students and Skeels Christian School this year.
Morgan Kellogg
Preschool Teacher
mkellogg@skeelschristianschool.com
My name is Morgan Kellogg. This is my 2nd year at Skeels. I am so excited to be back. I love seeing my old preschool friends grow and enjoy the new faces that walk through the preschool doors.
I am currently finishing up my early childhood education degree at Mid. Prior to Skeels I worked as an assistant in a preschool class for 6 years. I am also a mother of 2 awesome kiddos who also attend Skeels. I am married to my best friend Mike and we love living in Gladwin. As a family we attend Grace Fellowship Church. We also love being outside and camping. We are so thankful to be a part of the Skeels Christian School family.
Rebecca Kozlow
Kindergarten Teacher
rkozlow@skeelschristianschool.com
My name is Rebecca Kozlow. I am a wife, a mom of two, and a teacher. It has been my joy and privilege to teach for quite some time now. I have spent my teaching career in the early childhood field. I have learned so much and have enjoyed every moment.
Ruth Ann Schlese
1st Grade Teacher
My name is Ruth Ann Schlese. It is my first year teaching at Skeels. I have volunteered and subbed for the last two years. I taught 36 years in the public schools. I have been retired for 10 years. My degree is in Special Education and Psychology. I taught most of my career in first grade. I am excited to see what God has in store for me.
I have been married for 45 years to my husband Darrell. We have three children Nicole, Cody, and Kayla. We have seven grandkids and are expecting our first great grandson. I have four sisters and one brother. My mom and dad are 92 and still active. We are a close knit family who all love the Lord. We are so very blessed.
I love spending time with family and friends, camping, reading, and traveling.
Bobbie Jo Tate
2nd Grade Teacher
My name is Bobbie Jo Tate. I am married to my husband Kenneth, and we have a daughter named Gabrielle. I was raised in Gladwin, but left after High School graduation to join Covenant Players, a Christian Theatre ministry out of Los Angeles, California where I toured many states performing in churches, prisons, camps, military bases etc.
I received my B.A. from Howard Payne University. I have taught Speech and Debate and Theatre Arts for K-12th in Texas and North Carolina for 10 years, as well as 4 years for the Heart of Texas Home Educators.
I enjoy arts and crafts, directing plays, tour guiding, traveling, party planning, and spending time with family.
Jessica Ehle
4th-12th Grade Science
I am married to my high school sweetheart Tom. We have four sons, Wesley, Jack, Abe, and Ben.
I have a bachelor’s degree in Health Science from Saginaw Valley State University.
I teach 6th-12th science and it is the dream job I never knew I wanted! I am grateful for God’s wisdom and provision for my life, and for leading me to Skeels where I can use my education.
My favorite hobby is gardening. Gardening is an amazing form of worship. Gardening gets you close to creation and the creator.
Sara Hughey
3rd-6th Grade Spelling and Reading Teacher
shughey@skeelschristianschool.com
Born and raised in Michigan, my family came full circle and moved back to West Branch after spending six years in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. On the way, they dropped me off in a corn field next to a sign that said, “Cedarville College.” Four years later, with a BA in Business Administration in hand, another circle that took began and ended in Michigan was commenced. This time, the circle took 15 years to complete with stops in Ohio, Colorado, and California.
At the center of each circle in my life was a church. Mission trips with these churches took me to Spain, Switzerland, Norway, France, and even beautiful South Dakota where we ministered to native Indians. That must have been quite an impact as later, a native American Indian became my husband.
Four of our ten little Indians attend Skeels where teaching elementary Science, Spelling, Reading, and Writing have become my privilege. It is an honor to be a part of such a spiritually supportive family, church (Calvary Baptist), and school.
Faith Case
7th-9th English Teacher
fcase@skeelschristianschool.com
Carol Darlington
Librarian and Enrichment, Career Exploration, and Survival Skills Teacher
cdarlington@skeelschristianschool.com
A graduate of Central Michigan University with a BS in Education and an MA in Educational Administration, Carol Darlington spent over 32 years in higher education at Mid Michigan College. Her job responsibilities changed over the years, but the one factor that remained the same was being a psychology instructor – Mrs. Darlington’s true passion.
She considers it a blessing to be able to now be part of the Skeels Christian School team. Offering enrichment activities like career exploration, library, enrichment, and survival skills is an important part of a well-rounded academic experience.
Mrs. Darlington, her husband John, their two adult sons and families are members of Gladwin Cornerstone Baptist Church where they have faithfully worshiped and served for many years. God’s promises in Jeremiah 29: 11 – 12 have provided reassurance to her for many years, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”
Daina Barz
Art, Home Economics, and Yearbook Teacher
A love for art and creativity is brought to the classroom by teacher Mrs. Daina Barz as she engages students in learning about art. Drawing, painting, design, and photography have always been a passion for her. Starting in high school, and continuing through college, she has always enjoyed the chance to be creative. Graduating from Mid Michigan College with an Associate in Applied Science Graphic Design Degree provided an excellent opportunity to broaden her understanding and experience in art. Her excitement for art can be seen in the classroom! Students are given the opportunity to learn a variety of foundational elements of art and the fundamentals of design. Mrs. Barz teaches art enrichment for kindergarten students through sixth grade, as well as classes for junior high and high school students. Mrs. Barz and her husband Patrick have two sons and a daughter that attend SCS. She enjoys baking, crafting, camping, and staying active in her children’s many activities. She enjoys serving in many aspects of church ministry at Gladwin Cornerstone Baptist Church.
Chad Woodcraft
Elementary Music Teacher and P.E.
I started playing music in 5th grade. I continued through High School. During that time I learned to play all brass instruments, saxophone, percussion, and piano. I joined choir my junior and senior years. I also took vocal lessons to have more control and a larger range.
I have been a worship leader over 20 years and have trained worship teams in multiple churches. Piano has become a love of mine and I truly enjoy worshiping my Savior by playing piano. I owned a music studio “Woodcraft Studios” for eight years. The staff and I taught music lessons, sold and repaired instruments. I have been teaching piano for 24 years and continue to have a love for teaching which has brought me to Skeels.
Kaley Visser
Administrative Assistant
office@skeelschristianschool.com
I was born in Michigan and have lived here most of my life. I grew up in a wonderful supportive Christian family where I was both homeschooled and placed in private and public schools. Now I have four kids of my own: Breelyn (14), Myla (11), Madden (8), and Arra (3). We live by Pratt Lake here in Gladwin. We’ve moved a lot, all around the state of Michigan, as well as across the country to the state of Washington for a year. We had an amazing time there with our view of the Sound and the Olympic Mountains. We enjoyed lots of hiking and exploring the shoreline and many parks. We’ve had a lot of big changes in life and are so grateful we’ve had Jesus to lean on! The last 2 years have brought the kids and I back to Gladwin by some of our closest family, my mom and stepdad. We put down our roots here and began renovating our new house in November last year. I find a lot of enjoyment in accomplishing the renovation projects and we were able to move in March 20th this year! We are blessed to have found a life-giving church family at Grace Christian Church and now again with the community here at Skeels. We transitioned from 8 years of homeschooling to all 4 of the kids attending school here where I also work as the Administrative Assistant. I am so grateful for this opportunity and am excited to see what God has in store for our future!
Laura Flach
Financial and Recording Secretary
office@skeelschristianschool.com
The 22/23 school year will be my 11th year serving as the school’s Financial Secretary.
Born and raised in Gladwin, I graduated for Gladwin High School in 1969.
I was married in 1970, began attending Mid Michigan Community College, where I began working on an Associates Degree in Business Administration, and later that same year began working at the Gladwin County Clerk’s Office.
I have two children, Mary (now Owens) and Kurt, who both attended and graduated from Skeels Christian School.
In 1988 I was elected as Gladwin County Clerk and served in that position for 20 years, retiring in November 2009 when elected as Clerk for the Township of Sage. After retirement I continued to work parttime in the County Clerk’s office for three more years, serving a total of 38 years with the county.
In 2011 Skeels Christian was in need of someone to fill their Financial Secretary position and the Lord led me to undertake those duties. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity to serve the Lord in this way.
I currently have 3 grandsons attending SCS (oldest grandson Caleb Owens graduated in 2022). Seeing all the “kiddos” enjoying school and realizing that they are being taught by teachers who truly love them and are teaching them with Bible based curriculum is such a blessing. Added blessings are had on days when one of my grandson’s pops into my office with a hug and “I love you Grandma.”
While my Township position, my work at SCS, and serving as church treasurer all keep me pretty busy, I am so blessed and count it such a privilege to use the abilities that the Lord has given me in serving Him.
Joseph Case
7th-12th Grade Bible Teacher
jcase@skeelschristianschool.com
Hello! My name is Joseph Case and I am so excited for this school year. This fall my job has two main components, teaching 7th-9th Bible. I am just a few courses away from finishing my degree in Bible and Theology. But that has taken a back seat as very soon or already by the time you are reading this I am getting married. My bride to be is also a new teacher. Being from Cleveland, Ohio, I never expected to settle down somewhere as quiet and beautiful as Gladwin. When I’m not working, you can find me wedding planning, buying camping gear that I don’t use enough, getting involved at church, or just watching a movie with my fiance.
School board members
The school Board works to formulate policy and give direction to the school. The Board is charged with furthering the school’s mission and ensuring the school’s success. Our board has regular meetings, and we welcome our parents to attend and be involved.
Mike Steinkraus- Board President, Policy/Legal Committee, Personnel Committee msteinkraus54@gmail.com
Brett Hughey- Vice President, Building and Grounds Committee
Dave Cady-Treasurer, Budget Committee
Katrina McCauley- Secretary, Education Committee
Pastor Jerry Bussell- Trustee, Athletics Committee
Joseph Dorais- Non-voting member