STAFF

MEET MS. CARPANI - VIDEO INTRODUCTION

Hello! I've been teaching English at Howell since 2013. I graduated from Central Michigan University with my BA in English and History. Along with teaching, I am the adviser to the National Honor Society, the Main Four Newspaper, and the English Department Head.  I earned my Masters in Educational Leadership from Concordia University. When I am not at school, I enjoy spending time with my daughter, being active, and traveling. 

Email: carpaniv@howellschools.com 

MEET MRS. DINATALE-PARK - VIDEO INTRODUCTION

My name is Gabriella DiNatale-Park and I am starting my 23rd year at Howell High School. In that time, I've had the pleasure of teaching various course offerings throughout the 9th-12th grade. Currently, I am teaching English 11, A.P. English Literature & Composition and Leadership. In addition to teaching, I serve as a Student Council advisor and I will be following the Class of 2022 until their graduation. I am also a member of the School Improvement Team and Curriculum Council. Personally, I am a graduate of the University of Michigan and hold degrees in English and Psychology as well as a masters degree in British Literature. I live in South Lyon with my husband, Mike, our daughter, Laya, and our dog, Bender. I am proud to be a Howell Highlander and look forward to working with your students throughout the 2020-2021 school year. Go Highlanders!  

Email: dinatalg@howellschools.com 

MEET MRS. JANIGA - VIDEO INTRODUCTION

Hi! My name is Michelle Janiga and this is my 16th year teaching English for Howell Public Schools. This year, I am teaching Freshman English as well as Sophomore English to our Virtual Highlanders. I earned my teaching certificate from Eastern Michigan University and my Master’s Degree from both Michigan State University and Eastern Michigan University. I enjoy reading, writing, dancing, crafting, and spending time with my family. I have two daughters: Ellianna-5 and Lillianna-3 and I enjoy watching them learn new things everyday! 

Email: janigam@howellschools.com 

MEET MRS. MARROCCO - VIDEO INTRODUCTION

Salutations! My name is Kailea Marrocco, and I have been teaching at the Freshman Campus for seven years. I love reading, writing, going to concerts, road trips, hiking, being outside in general, and chilling at home with my husband and cats. My favorite books include: Lord of the Flies, Middlesex, Tacky the Penguin, When You Reach Me, The Bean Trees, and just about anything written by Michael Crichton, Stephen King, and John Grisham. A quote that helps to describe my teaching and connection to literature can be best encapsulated by George R.R. Martin: “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.” I am excited to explore the world of literature with your student(s). 

Email: marrocck@howellschools.com 

MEET MR. MILLER - VIDEO INTRODUCTION

Teaching is my second career and I have been teaching at Howell High School for 16 years. Prior to teaching, I worked in the private sector for Jaguar Cars and a three CAD start-up companies during the dot-com explosion. I have degrees in Marketing, Senior Management and English. In 2008 I received a Masters degree in teaching.  I have been the yearbook/journalism adviser for 10 years and served on a variety of committees during my tenure. I am married and have two sons who are HHS alumni. Some of my interests include roller coasters, crime novels and Ford Mustangs. 

Email: jmill@howellschools.com 

MEET MS. NOLAN - VIDEO INTRODUCTION

I have spent my entire 20+ years of teaching here at Howell High School.  I began teaching in Howell three years before the opening of the Freshman Campus and once it opened I spent six years teaching there. I've taught core classes at every grade level and have just started teaching a couple of English electives focused on reading.  I graduated from Michigan State University and earned my Master's Degree there as well.  

Email: nolanm@howellschools.com 

MEET MR. PARRISH ENG 10 - CLICK HERE

MEET MR. PARRISH ENG 11 - CLICK HERE

This is my 17th year teaching English in Howell. I graduated from Howell High School in 1998 and from MSU in 2003. I enjoy reading and writing, building and flying radio-controlled aircraft, weightlifting, cooking, gardening, riding my motorcycle, and being outdoors. What I love most about my job are those ah-ha moments when students make connections and understand new skills. I believe it is the role of the teacher to motivate and inspire students to achieve to their greatest potential! 

Email: parrish@howellschools.com 

I'm Jessica Schmid (Ms. Schmid), and the 2024-2025 school year marks my first year teaching at Howell. I currently teach English 11, English 10, and Strategic Literacy 11. I graduated from Saginaw Valley State University with a B.A. in Secondary English Education. As a teacher, I strive to help students build confidence in their voices, think critically, and engage meaningfully with literature and writing in a supportive, respectful environment. When I’m not at school, I enjoy spending time with my family and cats, going on road trips to visit friends, attending concerts, exploring new restaurants, and, of course, reading! My favorite books range from cozy fantasies to thrillers and horror. I’m excited to be part of the Highlander community and look forward to sharing my passion for English Language Arts with students each year!

Email: schmidj@howellschools.com

MEET MRS. SEBESTYEN - VIDEO INTRODUCTION

As an educator, Jennifer Sebestyen knows the importance of creating lifelong learners. Jen has been teaching at Howell High School since 2000. During that time, she has taught a majority of the courses in the English Curriculum. She graduated from Albion College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech, Communication, and 

Theatre, received her teaching certification from Eastern Michigan University, and her Masters Degree in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove University.  Her goals include helping her students to support claims with evidence and to be effective communicators. 

Jen Sebestyen is married and has 3 children. They enjoy traveling, attending concerts, and both playing and watching soccer.

Email: sebestyj@howellschools.com 

MICHAELA SHERIDAN

My name is Ms. Sheridan, but my students call me Ms. S! The 2021-2022 school year is my second year teaching at Howell High School. I graduated from HHS in 2015 and went to Eastern Michigan University to get my Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education - Language, Literature, and Writing with a minor in Secondary Education - Psychology. My ultimate goal is to encourage passion in my students for the art of the English language. 

I coach the Howell Middle School Pom Team and have done so for the last 4 years. I am currently engaged to my fiancé whom I've been with for 5 years. We like to spend time out on the lake in our boat, or on our jet skis.

Email: sheridam@howellschools.com 

I am Mr. Westcott, a seeker of stories and truth. My academic journey took me through Ferris State University, where I earned a B.S. in TV and Digital Media Production, before continuing at Eastern Michigan University to attain an M.A. in Creative Writing. The written word is my passion, whether reading or crafting it. Writers like Flannery O'Connor, Cormac McCarthy, and C.S. Lewis inspire my thoughts and shape my own voice.

I hold family and faith close to my heart, their warmth guiding my path. Yet, it is the realm of philosophy that ignites my deepest curiosity, especially the mysteries of metaphysics. The search for meaning, the nature of existence, these are the questions that fuel my obsession and shape my world.

Email: westcotwe@howellschools.com

My name is Kylee Wheeler, and I have been teaching at the high school since 2023. I am a two-time Spartan, having attended MSU for my undergraduate degree, where I earned a degree in English Education with a minor in European Studies. I enrolled again in 2024 to pursue my Master of Arts in Education (MAED) with a Literacy Education Concentration. I love writing, poetry, and theatre, and my favorite writers are William Shakespeare, Toni Morrison, and Emily Dickinson. Outside of teaching, I love to travel and spend as much time as possible exploring the world—whether it’s a big city or the wilderness. My hobbies include visiting as many art museums as possible, hiking, and rock collecting. I view education through a global lens, and my travels and hobbies help support this pedagogy. My favorite part of teaching is showing students how literature and language skills apply to the world around them. I also love the team I am part of here at Howell High School, and I am grateful for the opportunity to teach your students!

Email: wheelerk@howellschools.com

I am Valerie Wininger, one of the newest members of the HHS English Department.  I attended Oakland University for my undergrad, but I hail from Illinois!  Both of my parents were active duty in the Air Force, which allowed me to attend school in seven different districts.  This allowed me the unique perspective of experiencing education in many different parts of the country!  I found my passion in teaching from observing the positive influence education has on students and their community.  I run the after school Dungeons and Dragons club with Mr. Bentley, and I tutor after school twice a week!  I enjoy seeing our students succeed in sports and in the workforce, so I find myself exploring all Howell has to offer in my free time!  The 2023-2024 school year marks my first year teaching, and I am excited to continue growing as an educator and as a new member of the Howell community.  

Email: winingerv@howellschools.com