Goodrich-By a 7-0 vote on Monday night the board of trustees hired Tiffany Kapeka von Keltz as the new principal at the middle school. She replaces Steve Vowles who will be the new principal at Atherton High School.
A Hawaii native, von Keltz was born in Kona and raised in Hilo. The family moved to Fraser, Mich. when she was in the ninth grade.
‘My mother was from Michigan so that’s why we moved here,? she said. ‘Although the climate differs greatly compared to Hawaii, the move really was not all that bad. I looked at it as an opportunity to learn and grow. I really have a willingness to embrace change and made the move a positive opportunity for myself.?
von Keltz graduated Fraser High School and later earned a bachelor of science in education from Wayne State University in 2004. In 2011 she completed a master of education in administration from Saginaw Valley State University and is currently working toward a doctoral degree from Grand Canyon University.
While attending college she served as a homebound tutor for the Fraser Public Schools as a Learn2Learn teacher in the Southfield area. In 2006, von Keltz was hired as an eighth-grade social studies teacher at Cesar Chavez Academy, Middle School.
The kindergarten through twelfth grade charter school located in Detroit was opened in 1996. Ceasar Chavez Academy is chartered by Saginaw Valley State University with an enrollment of approximately 1,650 students. There are about 600 in the middle school.
‘Jobs in social studies were difficult to find when I was in college? there were just not too many opportunites,? she said. ‘I had a friend working at Cesar Chavez Academy, she helped my get hired there. I just fell in love with the community there in Detroit. There are many at-risk students that attend, but it really never stopped them from striving to get an education.?
She worked as a teacher until 2010 when she became the administrative intern at the school. In 2012, she was appointed school leader at Cesar Chavez Academy, Middle School.
‘At the end of my first year of teaching eighth grade social studies at Cesar Chavez one of my students said she left a gang because of me,? she said. ‘That’s priceless when you can make such a positive impact on a student.?
According to the Cesar Chavez Academy, more than 90 percent of enrolled students are Hispanic, 94 percent of students receive free and reduced lunch and 74 percent of its students are English language learners. Since von Keltz does not speak Spanish, the academy provided professional development to work with the students for the staff. The middle school employs about 75 staff.
von Keltz recognizes the cultural differences between Goodrich and Detroit.
‘I had students that come to school from homes that did not have running water yet they came to school everyday to learn,? she said.
‘Establishing relationships with the students and parents is key regardless of socio-economic background. The middle school age is fun to work with’it’s a tough time I know, but it’s really what I love. I see each obstacle or success as an opportunity to learn.?