STAFF
Rachel Beemer
I am excited to join the team and look forward to meeting new faces this year. I received my BA from Wayne State University with a major in Psychology. I have a Masters in Education with Secondary Certification from U of M Flint.
I have a wonderful family and I am a mom of two. I love to solve puzzles, make bracelets, cook, and read. I am pro pineapple on pizza. When I was 14 I drove from New York to Michigan. Before I became a secondary teacher, I worked as a nanny and preschool teacher for 10 years.
Annie Brady
Hi! My name is Andrea Brady and this is my 18th year teaching at HHS. In addition to teaching math, I am also the Class of 2024 advisor and a member of the School Improvement Team. I grew up in Farmington Hills and attended Michigan State University. GO GREEN! I currently live in Commerce Township with my husband, Curt and my daughter, Sadie and my son, Riley. I am looking forward to a great school year!
Ann Donnelly
I completed my student teaching (with Shaila Jehle) at Howell High School in the fall of 1996. I graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a major in Mathematics in December of 1996. I was then asked to be a permanent substitute (for Beth Rivera) at HHS for the remainder of the school year. I was officially hired in the fall of 1997 to teach math at Howell High School. I completed my masters degree in Education at Marygrove University in 2002. I have loved teaching Geometry at HHS for the last 26 years. Outside of school, I love spending time with my family and my 2 cats, Maggie & Lyla.
Mike Farrier
I graduated from Olivet College in 1994 with a teaching degree in Mathematics. I earned a Masters degree in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove College. I have been teaching in the Math Department here at Howell High School for the last 28 years. I am very family oriented and my wife is a Special Education Teacher in Jackson. My son graduated from Lake Superior State with a Fisheries and Wildlife Degree. I like to spend my free time in the outdoors whenever possible. I like to hunt, fish, and golf.
Jeff Klapper
5'10" 152lbs of pure muscle
Blonde hair in summer, dishwater blonde hair every other season
Blue eyes that sparkle like sunshine on the ocean
Amazing family, 3 children: Noah(14), Mackenzie (12), Luke (9), Wife: Jen (Omit)
Hobbies/Interests:
Skiing (Both snow and water)
Ultimate Frisbee
Reading (fantasy is preferred genre)
Any and all games
Any outdoor activity/sport
Teaching Math like a boss!
Karen Lessnau
I have taught high school Mathematics for 28 years. I have a double-major in English & American Literature & Composition as well as Mathematics. I am certified and Highly Qualified to teach in both subjects for grades 6-12. I received a Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Michigan University and a Master's degree in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove College.
I enjoy supporting students in their learning and assisting them in every way possible!
Kristy McDonald
My name is Kristy McDonald and I've known I wanted to be a math teacher since 6th grade. I graduated in 2006 with my Bachelor's and 2009 with my Masters in Curriculum & Instruction. I worked at an Alternative High School for nearly 8 years, of which I became the Director of. In 2017 I joined the Howell High School staff and absolutely love it here. I teach Algebra 2 and Personal Finance, but have taught many other subjects, including some science ones. I grew in Brighton, but now live in Howell with my 3 boys, husband and German Shepherd Collie. With my downtime I enjoy family trips, going for walks, and doing anything that makes my family happy.
Marcy Mick
Alma Mater: Michigan Technological University - Class of 2022 with a BA in General Mathematics and a minor in Economics and Statistics. University of Michigan - Class of 2023 with a Masters in Secondary Education with a math endorsement.
Courses Currently Teaching: Geometry and Pre-Calc
Hobbies: I love reading, board games, hiking, and anything associated with the outdoors.
Fun Fact: I have been a Girl Scout for over 14 years!
Kristen Moore
My name is Kristen Moore and in the early 90's a certain recalled Teen Talk Barbie sparked my passion for teaching math. I earned my bachelors of mathematics from Michigan State University (Go Green!) in 2010 and began my teaching career. I've been teaching mathematics since 2011 and have taught all courses from pre-algebra through trigonometry. In 2014 I completed my Masters in Teaching + Curriculum in Mathematics Education. I believe that mathematics is about more than just solving for x, and utilize student-centered strategies of blended instruction, problem solving and project-based learning in my classroom to help students answer their own question "When am I ever going to need this?" Outside of school, I enjoy writing articles, coaching teachers and presenting at conferences in addition to camping with my family, attending sporting events--both professional games and ones my kids are in-- reading and strength training!
Erin Niemi
My name is Erin Niemi. This is my fourth year of teaching and my second year at Howell. I grew up in Brighton and now live in Howell. I graduated from the University of Michigan - Flint Class of 2020 with a BA in Mathematics TCP (teacher certificate program). I currently teach Algebra 1 at the Freshmen Campus. I enjoy fishing, hunting, boating, gardening, and running when I am not doing work for my Masters. Fun Fact: I am left handed and do everything left handed!
Laura Park
I am the Math Interventionist at the HHS 10-12 building. I earned a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Psychology from Calvin (College) University and my Master’s degree in Teaching in the Senior High from Central Michigan. I started my teaching career in Mt. Pleasant in 2003 and joined the Howell Highlanders in 2017. My current role as the interventionist allows me to use my experiences as a teacher in alternative and traditional settings to provide supplemental support to students and teachers. Every day I seek to connect with students and to build positive relationships between students. My desire is to foster a love of learning and to help students take ownership of their studies. In my spare time, I enjoy being active outdoors, relaxing with a good book, and spending time with my husband and sons. I also love music and sing in the Livingston County Chorale (directed by fellow HPS teacher Kelli Falls.). Go Highlanders!
Click Here to watch Ms. Park's Video
Mary Villarreal
My name is Mrs. Villarreal. I am teaching Algebra I, Honors Algebra II, and Foundations of Algebra. I have been a teacher in this district for 24 years. My mission is to model achievement in spite of goal-blocking barriers. I was inspired to become a teacher despite my personal struggles as a student dealing with dyslexia because of the support and encouragement from my parents and teachers. When I am not at school, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I love camping, watching movies, dancing ... And I love monkeys and Star Wars :)
Jen Wagner
I Graduated Eastern Michigan University in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in math and minor in general science and my teaching certification.
I have taught in multiple school districts and in two different states
South Lyon, MI, Stockbridge, MI, Lansing, MI , Newport News, VA and now in Howell, MI
I have taught multiple subjects Pre-algebra, Algebra, Geometry, Algebra-functions-and-data-analysis (AFDA), Biology, General science, and Earth science. Here at Howell HS I am the math intervention teacher at the freshman campus.
I have a significant other, Darren, that I have been with since 2014. I have 2 natural born children Hayley and Hayden as well as bonus daughters Briana and Breonna and many other students that have called me their second mom over the years.
My goal as a math intervention teacher is not only to improve the math skills of students but also to help them see the value in learning math and how it can help them in the future. As a teacher in general my goal is for students to be successful in their classes and life even if they feel like they have obstacles in their path or can’t see the value in education at this moment.
In my non school time I have a plethora of interests that vary widely. I enjoy cooking, activities that involve some sort of physicalness to them like hiking, swimming, softball, ziplining, rock climbing, adventures in general, reading (usually romance but I am trying to branch out), learning new things even when they make me uncomfortable, doing crafts (I’m not very good at art though), events with the family (now that we are back in Michigan), hoping to go on some travel adventures soon, and just trying to live my best life!
Theresa Wernette
I teach math and computer science at Howell High School in the 10-12 building. I began my teaching career in 2005. Prior to teaching high school, I was a software engineer. I discovered my passion for education while volunteering at my children’s elementary school; it is very rewarding to help students discover and learn new things. I have Bachelor of Science degrees in mathematics and computer science from the University of Michigan, and a Master of Arts degree in curriculum and instruction from Eastern Michigan University.