Gratiot-Isabella Regional Education Service District

At Gratiot-Isabella RESD, we believe that the heart of our success lies in the incredible people who make up our team. We are launching the Meet Our Team Initiative to celebrate the unique and diverse personalities that contribute to our vibrant work culture. This initiative aims to highlight the amazing individuals we work with every day.

11 months ago, GIRESD

Tracey Cook, SLP: I am in my 10th year with the Gratiot-Isabella RESD. I have been so blessed to be assigned to the Beal City Public Schools all 10 years. I am passionate about serving each student with integrity and compassion. I have developed strong relationships within the district and the GIRESD. I enjoy collaborating, problem solving, & being involved with teams focused on students' needs. Fun Fact: I have 4 grandchildren and 3 adult children; I have been married for nearly 32 years. I love to ride our motorcycle with my husband. Favorite Quote: "Do the right thing even when no one is watching"

Dana Winright, ASL Interpreter / ASL Teacher: After working in the medical field for 20 years, I went back to school to learn sign language and become an interpreter. I started working with the RESD in 2017 and started teaching the ASL classes at SLHS in 2020. It's fun, challenging, and fulfilling! I can't imagine doing anything else. Fun Fact: I also work in Deaf Ministry, interpreting at churches, funerals, youth groups, camps, etc. Favorite Quote: "If it was easy, everyone would do it." - Unknown

11 months ago, GIRESD

Emily Sheahan-Stahl, SXI Teacher: With 9 years of experience in the classroom, I am passionate about supporting the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and promoting literacy learning for all students. In my current role at the Gratiot-Isabella RESD, I enjoy collaborating with other dedicated team members to create new opportunities and inclusive spaces for our students. Fun Fact: I am a huge fan of Taylor Swift! Favorite Quote: "Inclusion is not bringing people into what already exists, it is making a new space, a better space for everyone." - Rachel Olivero

Lucas Carey, Special Education Teacher Float Sub: I started as a para with the RESD and left for 6 years. I taught 4th grade for 5 years and one year as a Title Math teacher. Now I'm back with the RESD! Full circle! Fun Fact: I'm local to the MP area. My wife and I married in October of '24. I'm an avid hockey lover (whether playing or watching). I've recently picked up golf and can't get enough of it either. Favorite Quote: "Progress over perfection!"- Nikki Green

11 months ago, GIRESD

Leanne Barton, Associate Superintendent of Special Education: Over the last 39 years, I have worked in education in many capacities: a Head Start Teacher, a Special Education Teacher, a Montessori Teacher, and an administrator. In my current role at the RESD, I am amazed every day by the work that our special education staff do in order to provide a great environment and quality education for our students. Fun Fact: My great-grandmother's first husband, Fred Ware, sank on the Titanic. Favorite Quote: "To succeed in life, you must have three things: a wishbone, a backbone, and a funnybone." - Reba McEntire

Mark V Smith, Paraprofessional: I started out with Mount Pleasant in 2011 and in 2015, started with the RESD and have been here for almost 10 years now. I have enjoyed helping in a lot of different classrooms but have enjoyed working in the SEI program. Fun fact: I have six kids, and I am the youngest of 10. Favorite Quote: “It ain't how hard you hit but how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. It's about how much you can take and keep moving forward.” - Rocky Balboa

REMC 5 is offering two sessions on Podcasting in Secondary Classrooms. Participants will learn how to create their own podcasts and teach students to make their own using a mini podcasting studio, or just a blanket and a Chromebook! flier: http://bit.ly/3FVQifR

11 months ago, Joe Trommater

You could win one of these kits (a $244 value)

Thank you to the GIRESD Board of Education & Superintendent Hungerford for a special evening at GIRESD! Local school board members from Gratiot & Isabella Counties came together to take a deeper look into the Youth Mental Health Epidemic with Behavioral Health Coordinator, Tracey Galgoci. #GIRESDSupportingSchools

11 months ago, Shelly DuCharme

A special thank you to MDE's MICIP Consultants Dot Blackwell & Steven Curry for the enjoyable Continuous Improvement Session at GIRESD!

11 months ago, Shelly DuCharme

Mrs. Curtis' students from Alma Middle School embarked on an unforgettable adventure to the Michigan History Museum in Lansing.

11 months ago, Theresa Richter

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Gratiot County Child Advocacy (https://childadvocacy.net/events/) has a calendar of events for the month of April. Events include: -Wear Blue every Monday in April. -Lunch and Learn on Kids and Cyber Safety. -Adult and child Yoga w/ ZENlightenment Wellness Center. -Story hour at TA Cutler Memorial Library and Alma Public Library -Stewards of Children training. -Signs of Suicide for parents/cargivers. -Support prevention efforts at some local food establishments

11 months ago, Joshua Boutwell

The annual Science Olympiad Region 3 tournament was held at the Mid Michigan College Mt. Pleasant campus on March 22, 2025. Teams from the region, which spans center of the state from coast to coast, spent the day competing in different events that cover all aspects of Science. Teams advancing to the State Finals include: Frankenmuth, Fremont, and Gladwin for the Middle School Division B, and Bay City Western, Frankenmuth, Manistee, and Shelby for the High School Division C. Eight individual students also qualified as individuals by earning gold medals in their events. GIRESD REMC 5 Director Joe Trommater was the score master for the event and REMC Assistant Stacey Beebe worked for weeks on the back-end planning the tournament to ensure it went smoothly, while Martin Elzroth and Adam VanDyke from Mid Michigan College organized the individual events and coordinated the many volunteers who make this day possible.

11 months ago, Joe Trommater

Students participate in the Air Trajectory event.

A special Thank You to all the guest readers from Gratiot and Isabella Counties who volunteered for the GIRESD "March is Reading Month: Career Guest Readers" program. Thirty-three local professionals visited over 100 classrooms in 23 schools to read to students and share information about their professions.

11 months ago, Jennie Arlt

On Wednesday, March 19, school counselors from Gratiot and Isabella Counties participated in the annual GIRESD Educator to Industry Tour where they visited MERRILL Technologies, Integrity Fab & Machine, and MyMichigan Medical Center. All three businesses gave extensive tours of their facilities and informed counselors of the many employment opportunities available to their students.

11 months ago, Jennie Arlt

📱🧠 Is your child's screen time impacting their well-being? Join us for "Digital Dopamine" with Dr. Jim Harris! Learn practical strategies to navigate the digital world. Parents & educators in Gratiot & Isabella Counties, don't miss out! https://youtu.be/kMJrOkUNCzY

11 months ago, Shelly DuCharme

Students from St. Joseph the Worker School in Beal City created cardboard inventions and games as a part of their March is Reading Month celebration. Joe Trommater from REMC 5 shared the book, "One Plastic Bag" with the class before giving them the maker challenge to create a new invention or game from only cardboard.

11 months ago, Joe Trommater

Student created a mouse trap with cardboard

Great Lakes Bay Supplemental Math Project (GLBSMP) instructional coaches and administrators spent Pi Day collaborating around Instructional Coaching with Jenn Hlavka from Jim Knight's Instructional Coaching Group. #GLBSMP #GIRESDSupportingPrincipals

11 months ago, Brad Thornburgh

GLBSMP coaches and administrators collaborating to support teachers and students.

GIRESD Teacher Development Series participants spent their final meeting of 24-25 celebrating their accomplishments and learning together. This group of dedicated educators make a big difference for students every single day! #GIRESDSupportingTeachers

12 months ago, Brad Thornburgh

GIRESD Teacher Development Series participants learning together.

Superintendent Paul Hungerford sharing how he uses Ai to streamline his work.

GIRESD teachers work together to plan a safe, educational, and fun Swim experience for students.

12 months ago, Leanne Barton

GIRESD is proud of the long-lasting relationship with our local Central Michigan Manufacturer's Association! CMMA is aligned with the fantastic work led by the Michigan Manufacturer's Association. Please enjoy this video highlighting this innovative and dynamic relationship between industry and education! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0geN33kTTA #GIRESDSupportsStudents #GIRESDSupportsIndsusty

12 months ago, Paul Hungerford

I had a great time last Friday experiencing Mrs. Cotton's interactive Story Walk w/ Mrs. Sheahan-Stahl's class! #GIRESDSupportsStudents

12 months ago, Paul Hungerford

It was great to see Matt Smith GIRESD School Psychologist & Amber Guthrie GIRESD Paraprofessional assisting at the Special Olympics Basketball games at Shepherd HS this past Saturday#GIRESDSupportsCommunity

12 months ago, Paul Hungerford