Clarkston High School welcomes four new teachers this year, all with previous school experience:
Jackie Barrowcliff teaches math. She is a graduate of Mercy High School, participating with the swim team, winning the state championship in 1998, National Honor Society, Earth Watch, SADD and Academic All American.
She earned her bachelor’s degree at Michigan State University and teaching certificate at Eastern Michigan University. She student taught at Walled Lake Northern and taught at Walled Lake Summer School.
‘I love to be outside,? Barrowcliff said. ‘I run, swim, and bike. I enjoy watching all sports and I also love to read.?
She lives with her family in Commerce Township, and is getting married in December.
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Tara Cassidy, school counselor, attended high school in Norfolk in northern New York.
She earned her bachelor’s degree at State University of New York and master’s degree at St. Lawrence University.
She taught at Saranac Lake High School in New York and Enosburg Falls Junior/Senior School in Vermont.
She is new to Michigan.
‘I’m excited about working at Clarkston High School,? Cassidy said.
She enjoys hiking, boating, reading, and spending time with her family, including her 15-month-old son and 11-year-old chocolate lab.
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Matt Klaver teaches biology and math.
In high school, he participated in band, cross country, making All Area three times, track, and drama. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from University of Michigan.
He taught at Romulus High School.
He enjoys running, training for his fourth Chicago Marathon this month, fishing, and watching baseball. He has been married for a year.
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Ryan Parrott teaches math and physics.
In high school, he participated in executive board, ski team, soccer, and National Honor Society. He earned a degree in math and physics at University of Michigan, receiving University Honors, Phi Gamma Delta, and Union Setup.
He taught at Milford High School. He enjoys water sports such as wake boarding and skiing, and downhill skiing.
‘I have lived in Clarkston my whole life,? Parrott said.
His parents still live in Clarkston, and he has two older brothers, one in Indiana and the other in Japan.
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Renaissance High School welcomes three new teachers this year:
Sandy Dymowski teaches English and social studies.
She attended Plymouth-Canton High School, active in its award-winning marching band. She helped the band earn two national championship titles. She held leadership positions within the band, and was organization and events editor for the high school yearbook. She was a member of National Honor Society and worked at Blockbuster Video and Bennigan’s
She graduated Magna Cum Laude with double honors from Eastern Michigan University.
Dymowski , who lives in Davison with husband and three children, taught at Sherman Middle School in Holly, Davison Community Schools, and Atherton Community Schools.
‘I enjoy reading, going to the movies with my kids, listening and supporting local live bands, being involved with my children’s school and sporting activities, and having family movie nights,? Dymowski said.
‘I like to help out with community athletics and activities, depending on what my children are involved in and what time allows for.?
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Matthew Ittig teaches English.
In high school, he competed in varsity soccer and tennis. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Central Michigan University and master’s degree in liberal studies at University of Michigan in Dearborn. He is working on his doctorate at Wayne State University.
He student taught at East Lansing High School, and taught at Napoleon High School and Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences.
He enjoys writing novels, reading, golf, and tennis.
‘I have one son and am expecting another in September,? Ittig said. ‘I love teacher and am looking forward to spending many wonderful years at Renaissance.?
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Jana Thams is a new counselor.
She participated in student council, band, cheerleading, pom and stage crew at New Ulm High School in Minnesota.
She earned a degree in human resources management at Baker College and master’s degree in counseling at Oakland University.
Thams, who lives in Davisburg, served an internship at Clarkston High School.
‘I grew up on a farm in southern Minnesota,? she said. ‘We raised hogs and grew corn and soybeans. I was very much into sports, softball, tennis, bowling, and was even a ping-pong champion, if that’s a sport. I love to golf, travel and read.?