Teaching Staff

Kevin is a case coordinator working with students in Math classes. He is a lover of video games, new places, music and movies. He feels this brings him a different perspective to share with students.

Dr. Cooley has been teaching for 30 years and is currently celebrating her 23rd year of teaching here at Howell Public Schools. Her teaching career began in California, where she grew up. Dr. Cooley has her MA from EMU in Educational Psychology and her PhD from Wayne State University in Special Education. Currently, Dr. Cooley teaches in the certificate program. During her downtime, Dr. Cooley enjoys sewing, reading, and spending time with her family--which includes  a Saint Bernard and a Golden Retriever! Dr. Cooley has one son living at home, a son in AZ--who has four children-- and a daughter in that lives in Howell-who has four children. 

This is Lauren’s 12th year of teaching students with Special Needs and she is excited to have joined the Howell Community and Howell High School in 2023. She is a case coordinator for students in the certificate of completion program and teaches various functional living classes. Lauren enjoys teaching English and helping students find joy in reading.  She and her husband enjoy spending time with their daughter outdoors, especially going on walks with their dog (Thor), playing with bubbles and chalk.  During her free time Lauren enjoys playing and coaching softball, basketball, reading, and watching movies and sports! 

Mrs. Hellmuth (formerly Yager) has taught at the Freshman Campus for 18 years. She is a special education case coordinator and has team taught in various subjects, currently Algebra and Biology. She also teaches the Transitions support class. She loves working with students and helping them see their full potiential. She has two teenage stepdaughters and a son in first grade. In her freetime she enjoys spending time with her son and going to the beach. Her favorite place to vacation is Tawas, where her brother lives.

Alicia has been a special education teacher for 13 years and began teaching at Howell High School in March of 2021.  She and her husband, Jerry, purchased property in Howell where they built their future home.  Alicia came from a family of educators and enjoys helping students reach success.  In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with her son Mason, playing volleyball, traveling, hiking with her labradoodle, Sophie, spending weekends at Lake Charlevoix with Jerry’s parents, and winter vacations in Florida at her parents’ place.  Alicia enjoys teaching at Howell School District and being a part of the high school team.

Lisa has been a case coordinator with Howell School District for 5 years. She currently teaches Essentials of Geometry and Strategic Literacy 9. She also co-teaches English 10. Prior to this position, Lisa taught high school and middle school English in Michigan and South Carolina (where she lived for twelve years). She is married, has a dog, and enjoys singing, drawing, going on adventures (theme parks, roller coasters, axe throwing, museums, etc.) and reading YA novels in her spare time.

Nicole teaches ELA at the Freshman Campus and Self Management. She holds both bachelor's and master's degrees from Eastern Michigan University. When not teaching, she enjoys spending time outdoors, woodworking, and rock hunting in the Great Lakes.

Michele has been a member of the special education department at Howell High School for the past thirty-five years. She is a lifelong member of Howell, graduating from Howell High School and raising her family here alongside her husband. She has three adult children, two sons and a daughter, and three young grandchildren. Michele enjoys spending time with her friends and family and looks forward to fun adventures with her grandchildren whenever possible. As Teacher Consultant she works cooperatively with parents, students and staff to ensure that students with disabilities receive the support that they need to excel and achieve their goals. 

Lauren Schmalz -Mrs. Schmalz is an experienced educator with nine years of dedicated service in Special Education and Physical Education. She specializes in teaching certificate program courses, facilitating co-taught classes, and teaching PE. Her expertise spans both individualized instruction and collaborative teaching environments. When not in the classroom, Ms. Schmalz enjoys quality time with her family and tends to the animals on her small farm.

Mrs. Snider is in her 18th year in Education and her 10th as a Highlander.  She is currently working as a Special Educator co-teaching Fundamental Chemistry and Biology as well as the Work Readiness Awareness Program (WRAP). Lisa enjoys the creativity and unique challenges of working with students of all abilities.  She has been married to her husband Mike for 16 years and has 2 grown sons, Josh (and his beautiful new wife Maria) and Gabe.  When not in school Lisa enjoys riding motorcycles, attending concerts, doing home reno projects, sewing, baking, spending time with her family and caring for her 40+ pets (from dogs and cats, to goats and chickens, and even a giant iguana). 

Case Coordinator, has taught for over 30 years-  K-12, general education and special education.  Currently teaching Foundations of Algebra, Algebra and Personal Management.  When she has free time she enjoys spending time with her family, being Dama (Grandma), being active, exploring our beautiful state and country while camping.