IHM-St. Casimir School is fortunate to have an experienced, caring staff dedicated to maintaining a safe and loving environment that promotes learning and spiritual development. They make a concerted effort to recognize the gifts that each child brings to the classroom, and helps the child develop those gifts for life.
Principal Angela Johnston is in her third year at IHM-St. Casimir School. A native of Hudson, Michigan, Mrs. Johnston has a Bachelor's Degree in Music/Music Therapy and a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Eastern Michigan and Dayton Universities. After a stint with the state of Michigan as a music therapist for adjudicated youth, she heard God's call to take the principal's helm at Sacred Heart School in Hudson. She enjoys reading scripture and playing the flute in her spare time.
Mrs. Trutzl took the road less traveled to become a teacher. She started college at Michigan State University as a Merchandising Management major before discovering happiness in the Childhood Development/Education program. Mrs. Trutzl taught elementary school in Lake Odessa before coming here to IHM-St. Casimir to teach Kindergarten. She likes to read, go to the movies and hang out with her friends and family, which includes one dog and one cat.
Ms. Kuchar teaches First Grade at IHM-St. Casimir School. A native of Owosso, Michigan, she has a BS in Elementary education from Central Michigan University. Ms. Kuchar taught at St. Gerard and Resurrection schools before coming to IHM-St. Casimir School. She really enjoys discussing the books her students read with them in class. Her hobbies include reading, walking and going to the beach.
Ms. Smydra teaches second grade at IHM-St. Casimir School. She began her college career at Northern Michigan University, finishing with a BA in Language Arts with a Social Studies minor from Michigan State University. Ms. Smydra chose IHM-St. Casimir over a public school posting because of the way the students and parents here treated her during the interview process. She enjoys traveling to the Upper Peninsula to visit with her (very) extended family, going to the movies and swimming.
Ms. Fink is a 27-year Catholic school veteran, and comes to IHM-St. Casimir via St. Therese, where she taught for twelve years. She has a BS from Bowling Green and two Master's Degrees; one in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove College and the other in Special Education from the University of Michigan-Dearborn. She spends her spare time on the stairmaster or the recumbant bicycle- usually with a good book!
Ms. McManus has returned to her Lansing roots to teach 4th grade at IHM-St. Casimir School. She has a BS in Mathmatics with an emphasis in Elementary Education from Grand Valley State University. She has taught at St. Michael's Elementary in Grand Ledge and middle school at Most Holy Trinity in Fowler as a long term substitute teacher. She is also on staff at the Sylvan Learning Center. She is very happy to be back at IHM-St. Casimir, where she went to school as a child.
Ms. Green has been teaching at IHM-St. Casimir for 34 years. Fortunately for us, she chose teaching as a career instead of archaeology. She has a BS in Education and Psychology from Central Michigan University and has attended graduate school at Michigan State University. Ms. Green enjoys travel- she has been to Scotland, Australia and Japan- reading and has five cats.
Mrs. Murphy is a home-grown talent. She attended IHM grade school and Lansing Catholic High School before completing a BS in Elementary Education/Language Arts and an MS in Curriculum and Teaching at Michigan State University. She has been at IHM-St. Casimir School for 16 years, teaching language arts for the entire middle school. Mrs. Murphy enjoys reading, cooking and spending time with her family.
Mrs. Utess is not your typical grade school administrator. She has a BS in Systems Science Engineering with minors in Math and Chemistry. She decided to become a teacher while babysitting children in high school. Mrs. Utess has lived in many places; she was born in Lansing, and has lived in Grand Rapids and Missouri. Her hobbies include reading, shopping and baking.
Ms. Hornby always wanted to be a teacher growing up. She has a BA in Elementary Education with minors in Natural Science and Math from Alma College, and an MA in Language Arts from Michigan State University. Ms. Hornby likes teaching middle school math and science at IHM-St. Casimir because her students are "full of surprises." In her spare time, she likes to read, cook and tinker with the latest technologies.
Mrs. Scherer- Mrs. Scherer is a graduate of Western Michigan University. She majored in English and minored in history. She is teaching Social Studies to grades 6-8 and Language Arts to grade 7. Mrs. Scherer taught for 10 years in Marshall where she lives. When she is not at school she enjoys photography and watercolor painting. Her faith is the driving force of her life.
Mrs. Carbonell felt God’s call to return to work with young people and is excited to begin her first year as a guidance counselor at IHM-St. Casmir School. She has a B.S. degree in Social Relations from Grand Valley State University, M.A. in Guidance and Counseling from Eastern Michigan University, and a teacher certificate with school counseling endorsement from Western Michigan University. She enjoys spending time reading, creating art, watching movies, listening to live music, and doing yoga. Her children have left the nest so she now lives with her husband and teen-age cat.
Mrs. Pearson enjoys teaching Preschool in a faith-based atmosphere. She went to school at Siena Heights and Lansing Community College while earning an Associates Degree in Childhood Development. Mrs. Pearson has taught preschool at Resurrection School and the Ingham Medical Child Development Center, and has been at IHM-St. Casimir Preschool for 15 years.
Mrs. Maher is Child Care Director for the Before and After School Program at IHM-St. Casimir School. She enjoys watching the children grow and experiencing their unique personalities. She is grateful to God for her experiences here and feels blessed to have worked with the children for the last 20 years.
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