In the conclusion of a three-part series, The Clarkston News would like to present introductions for the remaining new teachers and staff in the Clarkston School district.
Faye Valtadoros makes the hike from Clinton Township to Clarkston High School everyday to be the new Japanese teacher.
Valtadoros graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 1998. During her time there she was president of the Japanese Students? Association. After graduation, she lived in Shikoku, Japan, for two years where she taught English. Back in the states, she spent three years teaching at Lakeview High School, two at Oak Park High School, and three at the Center for the Advanced Studies and the Arts. She has been awarded twice for being the most influential teacher.
Growing up, Valtadoros lived in a bilingual home, speaking English and Greek, and went to a Greek school for six years. She has traveled to Greece, Germany, England, Korea, Japan and Holland.
Susan Tinetti is the new speech pathologist at Bailey lake Elementary and Clarkston High School.
Tinetti, a resident of Troy, obtained her bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University in 1981 and her master’s in 1983. She began her career at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak but took some time off to raise her three children. Last year she began working in education at Carlson Elementary before coming to Clarkston.
Outside of work, Tinetti said she enjoys painting, cooking, skiing, hiking, and traveling. She is also a self-described sports fan and her favorite games to watch are the ones where her children are playing.
Beth Rogers of Clarkston joins the staff at Springfield Plains Elementary as the new fifth-grade teacher.
Originally from Ohio, Rogers attended Bellaire High School and received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Kent State in 1992 and worked in Akron from 1991-92.
When she’s not working, Rogers is likely writing, gardening, working out, or bird watching. Rogers has been married for 18 years and has three children, all of whom now attend Clarkston schools as well.
Lisa Darin is the new second-grade teacher at Springfield Plains Elementary.
A graduate of Walled Lake Central High School, Darin attended Eastern Michigan University for her undergraduate degree. She majored in math and received the Mabel Jarvis Leib Scholarship in math during her time there. She graduated in 1999 and is currently pursuing her master’s in reading with an early childhood endorsement from Oakland University.
For the last three years, Darin worked for the Oakland Literacy Council, giving early childhood literacy workshops for parents across Oakland County and spending time tutoring adults learning to read.
Outside of work, you might find Darin camping with her family, reading, or listening to music.
In her own words, ‘my family and I fell in love with the Clarkston area and we plan to stay here. We like being involved in the community and going to Friday night football games at the high school.?
Nicole Toderan is one of two new couselors at Clarkston High School.
Toderan, a resident of Clawson, obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Oakland University, where she was a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society.
Prior to coming to Clarkston, Toderan student taught at Schoolcraft Elementary, taught first grade at St. Vincent Elementary and had her counseling internship at Stoney Creek High School.
Jamie Graves is the second new counselor at Clarkston High School, but some may recognize her from her internship last spring.
Graves attended Oakland University where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and her master’s degree in counseling.
Graves lives in Oxford with her husband Brian and two daughters. She said she enjoys traveling around the state with her family every year.
Laura Lewis is the new Learning Resource Center instructor at Sashabaw Middle School.
Lewis grew up in the Upper Peninsula and attended Houghton High School. She currently resides in Lake Orion with her husband.
She graduated from Michigan Tech University, where she was named an ‘MTU Woman of Promise? and a member of Delta Phi Epsilon, in 2003. She student taught at Cassell High School, and was a guest teacher in both Rochester and Lake Orion school districts.
When not at work, Lewis enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, including running and traveling.
Heather Midkiff is back in the district from which she graduated as the new LRC instructor at Clarkston Junior High School.
Midkiff was a captain of the Pom-Pon team for two years (member for four), as well as a member of the Blue and Gold club and S.A.D.D. while she was at Clarkston High School. She graduated from Oakland University in 2004. While she was in college she was a member of the dance team.
Midkiff student taught at Cooley Elementary in Waterford prior to graduation and worked at Walton Charter Elementary for a year.
Katie Coon is the new LRC/eighth-grade teacher at Clarkston Junior High School.
Coon was valedictorian in high school as well as a member of the National Honor Society. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Michigan State University, where she majored in Special Education, in 2004. Prior to coming to Clarkston, Coon gained experience at Williamston Middle School and Brandon Middle School. Traveling is a big part of Coon’s life outside of work. She has been to Europe three times and studied abroad in Dublin, Ireland.