Ms. Hardiman:
Ms. Hardiman graduated from Howard University and teaches English 9. She became a teacher because she enjoys helping children build their confidence through learning. She believes that nothing you learn is useless. Ms. Hardiman is energetic, creative, and loves to learn new things. She is an avid gamer and reader, and she has very eclectic music and movie tastes.
Ms. Griffin:
Ms. Griffin attended Eastern Michigan University and Marygrove College, and she teaches Special Education. Ms. Griffin became a teacher because she comes from a long line of family members who have gone into education. Her biggest influence was her mom, who recently retired from her role as a paraprofessional. She was amazing at what she did. Ms. Griffin would visit her in the self-contained classroom where she worked and help the students while she was there. She believes that we have a small window of opportunity to plant a seed to help students recognize their positive educational experiences. It is our job as gardeners to water those seeds. Ms. Griffin grew up in the Belleville area. She was on the Lincoln Consolidated Schools side of Belleville but attended many activities, fairs, and sporting events here. She is very happy to be here to start her 14th year of teaching.
Ms. DiBenedetto:
Ms. DiBenedetto graduated from Eastern Michigan University and teaches Chemistry. She chose to become a teacher because she enjoys working in a learning environment and wants to help the younger generation grow. Ms. DiBenedetto believes in giving every student the opportunity to grow and explore their curiosity. She wants every student to see the classroom as a safe space where they can speak up and express their ideas and thoughts. She likes to travel and is always finding places to go when she can. In the future, she would love to visit Asia and parts of Europe. In her free time, she likes to watch TV, movies, exercise, and read a book.
Mrs. Herrmann:
Mrs. Herrmann teaches choir and graduated from the University of Michigan. In response to the question of why she became a teacher, she said, “I chose to become a teacher because music was so powerful and influential in my own life; I want to give that gift to students. I love enriching students’ lives through the beauty of singing and watching them grow in confidence and as people as they develop their musical skills and discover talents they may not even know they had. Singing together, making music as a choir, can be a magical and transformative experience, and it is also just plain fun to do! We have a great time in choir singing and growing together, experiencing beauty, working hard to achieve excellence, and supporting each other on our journey into song. I chose to become a music teacher because my soul needs this every day!” Mrs. Herrmann believes that everyone has a purpose, is valuable, has potential, and that you can achieve excellence through hard work, determination, and compassion. Mrs. Herrmann says, “I am the new choir director at Belleville High School! While I am new to BHS, I am not new to teaching choir. In my 20-year career, I have taught all grades K-12 in both public and private schools and served as a church music director. I am a proud graduate of the University of Michigan and Belleville High School! When I was in high school, there were over 200 kids in choir at BHS! It was an amazing experience that inspired me to become the music teacher I am today. I am thrilled to be back home at BHS, and I am excited to build and grow our choir program and give students the amazing opportunities I had when I was in high school. I am married to my husband, Allen; we have three daughters in 10th, 8th, and 5th grades, and two dogs named Biscuit and Bandit. Come visit us in Room 191! We’d love to have you sing with us!”
Mrs. Nolen:
Mrs. Nolen, a Ferris State University graduate, teaches BHS’s new CTE program in cosmetology. She became a teacher because she enjoys sharing her knowledge of cosmetology with students. She loves that her class is based on the freedom to be creative. She also enjoys the time off for summer vacation and school holidays. Mrs. Nolen believes that teaching is encouraging someone through assisted discovery. She says, “I am a wife, mother, grandmother, and aunt. I love arts and crafts, sewing, and reading a good book. I also love to travel.”
Mr. Whitehouse:
Mr. Whitehouse went to Michigan State University for his undergraduate degree and the University of Michigan Ann Arbor for graduate school. He teaches English 11, English 12, and Drama. He chose to be a teacher because he thinks that he can have a positive impact on the next generation of learners and people in the world. Mr. Whitehouse believes that everyone is capable of becoming the student and person they want to be. He has high expectations for all his students and wants to see them reach their own personal goals and dreams.
Ms. Carr:
Ms. Carr graduated from Benedictine University, and her job is to support students in their math classes. She chose to be a teacher because she wants to be a positive influence and help students realize their own potential. She believes that all students are capable of reaching their potential with a good work ethic and the support they need. Ms. Carr says, “This is my 25th year teaching. My first year was at a middle school outside of Chicago, and the rest have all been at the high school level. I have three nieces and three nephews ranging from ages 17 to 24. I also have a big dog (Mastiff/Pit Bull mix) named Leroy. I love sports, traveling, and anything beach-related. In the summers of 2021 and 2022, I volunteered at an orphanage in Haiti. I met the most amazing kids and people! It was life-changing. I am so excited to be a Tiger, and I have appreciated the positive environment and warm welcome from both staff and students! Stop by Room 216 and say hello! Fun fact: my dad taught and coached here at Belleville High School many years ago!”
Mr. Otter:
Mr. Otter went to Western Michigan University to become a health and PE teacher. In response to why he became a teacher, Mr. Otter said, “I love people, and I love sports. Becoming a PE teacher has allowed me to merge both and have a positive influence on the next generations.” Mr. Otter believes that if all teachers care about their students, all students will care about learning. Mr. Otter says, “I have been an educator since 2008 and love that I can give back to my community through education. I have been married to my beautiful wife for 10 years and have four amazing boys ages 9, 7, 6, and 4. My faith in Jesus Christ is very important to me. My favorite sports are basketball and football.”
Ms. Matelski:
Ms. Matelski went to the University of Michigan (Bachelor of Arts in Education) and Eastern Michigan University (MA in Spanish Language & Literature) and teaches Spanish. She says she became a teacher “because hanging out with adolescents daily and inspiring them to be their best selves and expand their horizons is a pretty cool thing to get to do.” She continues, “I teach the whole student. My goal as a teacher is to help inspire students through my content to want to know more about the language and culture. I believe in a student-centered approach to knowledge, where I help them build the knowledge as a facilitator, but the students are the ones doing the work.” Ms. Matelski loves traveling (I have been to 20 different countries), concerts, cooking, spending time in nature, and reading. Her passion is learning about other people’s passions!
Mr. Mair:
Mr. Mair is a PE teacher who went to Central Michigan University. Mr. Mair became a teacher because both of his parents were teachers, and he’s always enjoyed physical fitness and helping others, so being a PE teacher seemed to fit perfectly. Mr. Mair says, “I’m a husband and a father of two children. I’ve been teaching and coaching since 2005. I enjoy family time, fitness, and watching sporting events.” Find more about him here: http://www.mrmairsphysedpage.com/moral-focus-pledge.html
