Every school year brings with it new opportunities, new experiences and new friends – even for the teaching staff.
This year, Oxford Schools is welcoming in a brand new collection of skilled teachers with a wide range of backgrounds and expertise. So sit back, relax and meet the new faces of Oxford Area Community Schools:

Name: Sarah Ashley
Family: Husband Gary
Residence: Ortonville
Educational Background: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Michigan, Flint
Work Background: First teaching position
Position Hired for at Oxford Schools: Kindergarten at Lakeville Elementary
Summarize your educational philosophy. What do you love about teaching? My educational philosophy is to foster a learning environment where all students can grow.
Why did you want to work for Oxford Schools? I love the families and community of Oxford, and I am passionate about the students here.

Name: Todd Bidlack
Family: Jamie (wife for seven years) and son Ryan (4-months-old)
Residence: Davison
Educational Background: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from University of Michigan, Flint. Major in Math with a Minor in Science. Current student of Eastern Michigan (working on MBA)
Work Background: Worked in Tool & Die as a machinist and CNC programmer. Head middle school wrestling coach for DeWitt Public Schools and Waverly Community Schools. Long-term substitute at Kearsley.
Position Hired for at Oxford Schools: Sixth grade Math and Science at OMS
Summarize your educational philosophy. What do you love about teaching? My main objective of education is to provide an environment that is conducive to learning for all children and help them reach their full potential.
Why did you want to work for Oxford Schools? I want to work for Oxford Schools because of the wonderful opportunities and possibilities the district provides. Oxford is a phenomenal community and its schools have a high standard of excellence as well as a positive attitude. For these reasons, I look forward to teaching in Oxford and becoming part of this fine community.

Name: Chad Boyd
Family: Wife – Kristina, Daughter – Carly, 7-months-old
Residence: Oxford
Educational Background: Oakland University, Bachelor of Science, majored in Elementary Education and Social Studies Teaching.
Work Background: Rochester Adams High School, June 1995
Position Hired for at Oxford Schools: Second and third grade split at Leonard Elementary
Summarize your educational philosophy. What do you love about teaching? I believe students make greater strides when learning in a comfortable, supportive environment. I will strive to create a classroom community based on caring, commitment, respect and support. It will be a place where students feel motivated to learn and comfortable taking risks. Students will have the opportunity to make choices and possess an active voice in their learning.
Why did you want to work for Oxford Schools? When I moved to Oxford four years ago, I fell in love with the community. While doing my student teaching at Clear Lake Elementary, I was impressed by the cooperation between staff, administration and families. There was a strong commitment to providing students a quality and challenging education.

Name: Tim Collins
Family: Parents and Younger Brother Brina, Fiance Kim
Residence: Madison Heights
Educational Background: Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education and Health Education from Eastern Michigan University. Lamphere High School graduate.
Work Background: Sports Camp Director in Bloomfield Hills. Six years coaching basketball and baseball at the middle and high school levels. Three years substitute teaching.
Position Hired for at Oxford Schools: Elementary Physical/ Health Education at Lakeville, Leonard and Oxford Elementaries. Middle School Health. JV Boys Basketball Coach at the High School.
Summarize your educational philosophy. What do you love about teaching? I believe in a well rounded education where all students feed off one another to give students the skills to grow and learn. I love teaching because you get to be around young people and help them to realize their potential. Also, teaching is fun. It’s one of the only professions that allows you to act like a kid.
Why did you want to work for Oxford Schools? I was referred to Oxford by Jim Baker, who used to be an assistant principal at Oxford High School, and I have heard nothing but good things about the district and the community.

Name: Brian Cisneros
Residence: Romeo
Educational Background: Romeo High School, Oakland University
Work Background: Coaching Wrestling, Firefighting/EMS
Position Hired for at Oxford Schools: Sixth grade Language Arts
Summarize your educational philosophy. What do you love about teaching? I firmly believe that every child can learn. I love teaching because I enjoy helping children learn, grow and overcome challenges.
Why did you want to work for Oxford Schools? I wanted to work for Oxford Schools because of its small town appeal, friendly staff, athletic tradition and first rate facilities.

Name: Courtney Cooley
Family: Brent & Phyllis Cooley (parents), Janae Cooley (sister)
Residence: Clarkston
Educational Background: Clarkston High School graduate, Western Michigan University, graduate
Work Background: Orientation Student Leader/ Student Orientation Coordinator at Western Michigan University.
Position Hired for at Oxford Schools: Third grade teacher at Lakeville Elementary
Summarize your educational philosophy. What do you love about teaching? It’s important to me to create a safe and supportive environment for my students where they feel comfortable to express their ideas and personality.
Why did you want to work for Oxford Schools? To become a part of such a supportive community like Oxford.

Name: Carolyn Cregar
Family: Husband Michael, daughters Emily and Madeline
Residence: Romeo
Educational Background: Bachelor of Arts from Abion College in 1983. Majored in economics and communication/theater. Teaching certificate from Saginaw Valley State University in 2004. Certified in Social Studies, Economics and Speech.
Work Background: Primarily small business background; co-owner of restaurant/ catering operations in North Oakland County area. Began substitute teaching five years ago.
Position Hired for at Oxford Schools: Eighth grade History at Oxford Middle School.
Summarize your educational philosophy. What do you love about teaching? The cornerstone of my belief about teaching rests upon the adage ‘Kids won’t care about what you know, until they know that you care.? My obligation as a teacher is to help all students find relevance and meaning in the classwork. As a social studies teacher, my goal is to instill an appreciation for the rights and liberties that we enjoy as American citizens.
Why did you want to work for Oxford Schools? The emphasis on growth and development in the Oxford School district is very exciting. The dedication to technology and student centered learning is evident in so many ways. I am truly looking forward to becoming a part of this community – Go Wildcats!

Name: Krista Faison
Family: Mom Lori Faison, Dad Greg Faison and Sister Joanna Faison Shaw
Residence: Roseville
Educational Background: Bishop Gallagher High School, Harper Woods (1995-1999), Michigan State University (1999-2004)
Work Background:
1. Student intern/ substitute for Mt. Clemens Community School District (Aug. 2003-June 2004)
2. Girls Varsity High School Softball Coach for Mt. Clemens High School (March 2004-June 2004)
Position Hired for at Oxford Schools: Fourth grade teaching position at Lakeville Elementary.
Summarize your educational philosophy. What do you love about teaching? Educational philosophy: I believe that all children can learn, not at the same time or pace. Making a difference in a child’s life is what I love about teaching.
Why did you want to work for Oxford Schools? I wanted to work for Oxford Schools because it is an excellent district and community to be a part of.

Name: Theresa Giberson
Family: Husband Tom, Sons Rolly, 8, and Keaton, 5
Residence: Lake Orion
Educational Background: Bachelor of Arts in English and education K-8 from Siena Heights College in Adrian, Mich. Master of Arts in Teaching in reading and language arts to be completed in spring of 2005 at Oakland University.
Work Background: I have taught fourth and fifth, kindergarten and preschool. I have also been a long-term substitute for Oxford Schools the last two years.
Position Hired for at Oxford Schools: Two/ Three split at Lakeville Elementary School.
Summarize your educational philosophy. What do you love about teaching? I believe that every child has the ability to learn and the right to have every opportunity to do so. My favorite part of teaching is seeing how much children can learn.
Why did you want to work for Oxford Schools? After being a long-term substitute for two years, I have come to enjoy the community. There is a drive to make the best choices based on the needs of the children.

Name: David Goetz
Family: Mother Becky, Father Dave, Sisters Krista and Trichas, Fiance Rachael
Residence: Rochester Hills
Educational Background: Avondale High School, Michigan State University (Two Years), Oakland University, Major in Elementary Education and Math, Minor in Science.
Work Background: Student teaching in Lake Orion. Long-term substitute at OES.
Position Hired for at Oxford Schools: Fourth grade teacher at Lakeville
Summarize your educational philosophy. What do you love about teaching? I feel that it is important to create a safe and motivating environment to enhance student’s learning.
Why did you want to work for Oxford Schools? Oxford Schools has a strong reputation for providing a great education to their students. Also, I love the community of Oxford.

Name: Laurie Lavins
Family: Son, Nicholas, 19, sophomore at Grand Valley. Daughter, Ashley, 18, freshman at Kalamazoo. Son, Harrison, 7.
Residence: New home in Ortonville!
Educational Background: Bachelor of Arts from Wayne State University. Cognitive Impairment and Elementary Education.
Work Background: Trained horses – rode and showed on an international basis. Went back to school in 1997 at Wayne State. Worked in Grosse Pointe teaching students with Autism. I also teach therapeutic horseback riding to children with disabilities, as well as, continue to train horses and teach riding to non-disabled persons.
Position Hired for at Oxford Schools: Special Education K-2 at Daniel Axford
Summarize your educational philosophy. What do you love about teaching? (Quoted from a message left on The Oxford Leader voicemail system) I grew up in schools, went to schools where we were not exposed to children with special needs, and in doing so, never developed a comfort level. My becoming a teacher is a second career, and, you know, for parents of children with disabilities everyday is a challenge, to try and take those families that now have those children with disabilities and those of us and others who have been exposed to those with disabilities, especially those in the general academics, to try and bridge that gap between those two a long a bit is really my goal when I’m working with the chidlren. To try and make those challenges for those families with children with disabilities fewer in number.
Why did you want to work for Oxford Schools? I vowed after my middle child graduated from high school that I would move my 7-year-old to a rural environment. I wanted to find a community that we could call ‘home? and be actively involved in. My feeling is that we’ve found that.

Name: Rob Murray
Family: Wife Sarah, Sister Amanda, Parents Robert and Joan
Residence: Lake Orion
Educational Background: OHS graduate 1998, Oakland University 2004
Work Background: Landscaping during the summers from 1998-2003. Patterson Pharmacy 1998-2003 in the winters.
Position Hired for at Oxford Schools: Fifth grade at Lakeville Elementary
Summarize your educational philosophy. What do you love about teaching? My educational philosophy is to help my students succeed in any way possible. I love being with my students and guiding them towards success.
Why did you want to work for Oxford Schools? I grew up in Oxford and went through the school system, and now it is time for me to give back.

Name: Michael Tootalian
Family: Single
Residence: Troy
Educational Background: High School – Athens High School, Troy. University – University of Michigan.
Work Background: Chippewa Valley Schools Adult and Community Education – computer teacher (current position). Troy School District – summer school teacher, American History and English (current position). Southfield Public Schools – Seventh and eighth grade mathematics (March-June 2004).
Position Hired for at Oxford Schools: American History Eighth grade Oxford Middle School.
Summarize your educational philosophy. What do you love about teaching? All students should have an opportunity to learn in exciting ways individually and with the help of their peers. With effort and drive, all students can achieve greatness in any area they desire. Regarding teaching, I best love the stimulating subject, the opportunity to effect the future minds of America and the chance to work with the parents and the community.
Why did you want to work for Oxford Schools? This community has much history and is friendly, yet progressive and forward-looking.