Staff Directory – Calhoun Community High School

Rhonda Marcum, Ph.d
Superintendent
rmarcum@calhounhs.org
(269) 565-2463

I am so excited to become the Superintendent of Calhoun Community High School! I have 15 years of experience in the alternative education system as a teacher and administrator. I earned my Ph.D. in Education and Technology, a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction, and Bachelor's of Science in Biology, Chemistry, and Criminology through Eastern Michigan University. I am currently the president of the Michigan Alternative Education Organization, a state organization that advocates for alternative education, educators, and students. My passion for providing kids with tools, strategies, and exemplary education led me to the field of teaching and later to become an administrator. I look forward to the opportunities that I will face in the coming years and the students we will serve.

Michelle Stovall
Secretary
mstovall@calhounhs.org
269-565-2463

Hi my name is Michelle (shelly) Stovall. This is my first year here at CCHS. I'm a proud mom of two and a happy wife of an Executive Chef. I'm excited to be the new secretary!

Tiffany Harris
Dean of Students
tharris@calhounhs.org
269-565-2480

My name is Tiffany Harris and I am the Dean of Students here at Calhoun Community High School. This is my 5th year here at CCHS, but my 20th year as an educator. I am also the director and founder of a non-profit organization aimed at helping teens and young adults through a website called www.dreambiglivebig.net. I have always been and will always be about fostering the growth of young people, to help you see that you can do absolutely anything you set your mind to do. One of my favorite quotes, "What the mind of man can conceive and believe, the mind of man can achieve." by Napoleon Hill really says what I think best...if you can think it...you can do it! Have the audacity to dream big! If you ever need any help with your classwork or need to talk, feel free to find me 🙂

Yolandra Jones
Crisis Counselor
yjones@calhounhs.org
269-565-2464

Hello My Name is Ms. Jones. I have worked with youth for 32 years and I love it. I have worked at the Michigan Youth Challenge Academy for 17 years as Cadre and Counselor. I worked for the I Have Dream Foundation of Battle Creek for 7 years. I served this great country as a soldier in the US. Army. I coached women’s basketball both High School and Junior College. I also played basketball in high school, college and in the military. I have an awesome dog. Well enough about me! Can’t wait to get to know YOU!

Sarah Orr
Academic Advisor
sorr@calhounhs.org
269-565-2484

I'm exited to be the Academic Advisor at CCHS! Oh the places we'll go! I'm committed to helping our students find their next steps in this crazy thing we call life. I'm a proud mom and wife. I'm also a fur mom; we have 3 cats, 2 dogs, and 3 fish. My favorite quote is by Dr. Seuss "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothings going to get better. It's not."

Eli Case
Paraprofessional
ecase@calhounhs.org
269-565-2477

20 years experience, my favorite quote is "God helps those who help themselves and others", advice I have for students is: Better to set goals that are achievable and feel success than to set goals too high and feel like you haven't succeeded.

Mary James
Paraprofessional
mjames@calhounhs.org

I can't imagine working with a warmer bunch of people. Both the students and staff have made my new position as a parapro an entertaining pleasure. I'm a book worm. When I'm not reading, I'm writing. I have a history of working with teens through academic enrichment in theater and art. I have been a puppy raiser for Leader Dogs for the Blind, a veterinary technician, a physician's research assistant, and a homeschool mom. Everyday, the students here at CCHS make me smile, think, and teach me something new. I hope to return the favor.

Teachers

Barbara Spencer
Teacher
bspencer@calhounhs.org

Barbara Spencer has been an educator since 1995, and has served in a variety of roles. She left a successful career in business to impact the lives of young people, and she has never looked back. She has taught middle school, high school, alternative high school, and college, and has been a counselor, an instructional coach, and an educational consultant. She is now raising her 11 year old granddaughter, Brooklyn, and is happily back in the classroom, working with students - her favorite thing to do! Barb is new to the school, and very excited to begin this phase of her service in education!

Brian Demlow
Math
bdemlow@calhounhs.org
269-565-2471

I have been teaching at CCHS for 19 years, 23 years overall. My advice to students is to think of your life like a big puzzle. The piece you are on now is important, but you still need to think about how it fits with the rest of the pieces. A favorite quote of mine is "The key to everything is patience. You get the chicken by hatching the egg - not smashing it." - Arnold Glasow

Derek Elliott
Social Studies
delliott@calhounhs.org
269-565-2472

Hello my name is Derek Elliott. I have taught full time for 7 years. I have worked in Arizona on the Navajo Nation and in Benton Harbor, Michigan. The advice I would like to share with students is that you will never know if you can succeed unless you try and putting forth effort is the first step in being motivated. Education is a key that can unlock so many opportunities that would be closed without it.

Kati Garrison
Special Education
kgarrison@calhounhs.org
(269) 565-2475

This will be my third year teaching full time! Graduated from WMU in 2018. I worked at a Charter school for two years as a Middle School resource room teacher and I loved it! I have a passion for teaching and advocating for those that can't otherwise do it themselves.

In my free time, you'll find me with my daughter, Reba (she is 5 months old), our 14 year old cat, Clark. I also love spending time out on our lake and traveling when I can! I coach for the Special Olympics Gymnastics and I have done that for two years now! I absolutely LOVE it!

One thing I would tell my students is to never give up! It may take you a while to get where you want to be, but with hard work and determination, you can and WILL get there! I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what career path I wanted to be in, and after 5.5 years at Western Michigan University I found that becoming a resource room teacher is all I ever wanted. So don't give up and your dreams can become your reality!

Pete Mathis
Social Studies
pmathis@calhounhs.org
269-565-2476

I've been a teacher since 2000. Advice I'd like to share is from Calvin Coolidge: "Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not: unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent." My favorite quote is "A year from now you will wish you had started today." -

Laurie Ruhstorfer
English
lruhstorfer@calhounhs.org
269-565-2473

Hi, my name is Laurie Ruhstorfer and I teach 10th and 11th grade English here at Calhoun Community High School. This is my 4th year at CCHS and I absolutely love it! One piece of advice that I'd like to give our students is getting your diploma is like eating an elephant. You come to your classes everyday, you do your best work, and you participate actively each quarter. After a while, you will have completed all of your class work, gained all of your credits, and earned your high school diploma! You see...you eat your elephant one bite at a time! My favorite quote is by Henry David Thoreau, and it expresses why many of you are here. "If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which hears, however measured or far away." We all see life differently, but achieving and reaching your goals in a different way is ok, as long as you do your BEST!

Julie Seifke
Special Education
jseifke@calhounhs.org
269-565-2466

This is my 4th year at Calhoun Community High School as a Resource Teacher. My most important words may be "I believe in you!" So lean in and borrow from my BELIEF in YOU until you see that you can succeed! Success happens one step at a time! Then as Dr. Suess says, "Oh, the places you'll go!"

Molly Sergent
Science
msergent@calhounhs.org
269-565-2478

Hello, my name is Molly Sergent, and I'm so excited to start my teaching career here at CCHS! I graduated from Central Michigan University in spring 2020 with a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education with a focus in Integrated Science, and additional background in STEAM, robotics, and coding. I love corny jokes and the outdoors! I can't wait to create a welcoming and inclusive environment with your students where learning science is exciting and fun!

Mr. Sutters
English
lsutters@calhounhs.org
1-269-565-2474

Hello, my name is Mr. Sutters and many people say that I am a very friendly person who loves to help anyone that I can. I began my education career back in 1998 at Mott Community College located in Flint, Michigan. Upon graduation, I began pursuing a bachelor’s degree majoring in English Education while minoring in Social Studies. After completing my undergraduate studies at Ferris State University I went on to obtain a M.E. Curriculum and Instruction. I have spent over twenty years educating students in the Great Lake state of Michigan. I love to watch the Michigan State Spartans men’s basketball and football teams. I also enjoy watching my favorite Detroit Lions. Finally, I too have a wonderful dog named Fitzgerald, a.k.a Stinker. Reading current events and anything that I can get my hands on is my favorite thing to do.