Staff

I undoubtedly found my true passion while teaching.  I started out in Howell as a student teacher and feel very blessed to still be teaching Biology at the Freshman Campus.  I also taught at Hartland High School for a couple years.  However, this was not my first career.  I spent many years in outpatient mental health and chemical dependency as a Quality Improvement Administrator.  I also worked in Loss Prevention at a financial institution, for a fortune 100 company until I started teaching.  I earned my bachelor’s degree from Albion College in biology/psychology, a master’s degree in medical science from Wayne State’s Medical School, Master’s in Business Administration from Northwood University, and my teaching degree from Eastern Michigan.   I have two children that are also proud Highlanders.  My husband is a military veteran of over 20 years.  In addition, I served our community as the President of our Military Family Readiness Group while my husband was deployed to Iraq on three different occasions.  I love serving the community in which we live and proud to be a Highlander family.

Click here to see Mrs. Brinkley's  welcome video!

 I was born and raised in Flint, MI and graduated from Kearsley High School in 2000.  From there, I attended the University of Michigan- Flint with a major in Biology and a minor in Chemistry.  I married my husband in 2003 after he graduated from Kettering University.  He received a job offer from Ford motor company but the position was in Denver, Colorado.  We moved to gorgeous Colorado where I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Biology from the University of Colorado-Denver. After graduating and having our first child, Ford Motor Company moved us to Menomonie, WI.  At this point I decided to be a stay at home mom until my children were of school age.  In 2008, Ford Motor Company finally moved us back to our beautiful home state of Michigan.  After my youngest child was ready to start preschool, I decided to go back to college.  I received my teaching certificate and major in integrated science from the University of Michigan- Dearborn.  I started teaching at Howell High School in the fall of 2016. At that time we chose to leave the city of Livonia and move to Brighton township.   While here I have taught Forensics, Biology, Physics, Earth Science, and Environmental Science, A.P. Environmental Science.  I have two sons who both attended Howell Public Schools.  I could not be happier with the community we have joined and with the coworkers I have.

Hello, my name is John Garlinghouse and I teach science here at Howell High School.  I have been at Howell for the past 11 years.  I enjoy seeing the thrill when a student has a moment of realization and says “I get it!”.  

Teaching is my second career.  Prior to teaching I was a chemical engineer for 13 years at a chemical factory in Pontiac.  I was the supervisor of the QC laboratory and oversaw the production of hydraulic oils, cutting oils, and cleaners for all domestic automakers and most major steel and aluminum producers.  This job provided me with the means to support my wife’s law school classes, but was not emotionally satisfying.  I longed to make a difference.

I received my undergraduate degree from MSU and earned my teaching license from University of Michigan.  I worked at several other districts in a long term substitute capacity before landing at Howell.  That experience was useful because I could see how the same content was taught by other teachers in different ways.  I learned what to do from the best, and what not to do from the others.

I enjoy working with my hands.  I believe that people learn more by doing than listening.  In my spare time, I am usually in my garage fixing or building something.  I like taking things apart to see how they work.  I love the outdoors, especially during the summer.  I am an avid boater, bicyclist, and car enthusiast. I appreciate many types of music, yet I am not much of a musician myself.

The last few years my expertise has been limited to Physics and Chemistry (both of which I enjoy greatly).  

Click here to see Mr. Garlinghouse's welcome video!

Growing up I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. I pursued my passion at Michigan State University and graduated in 2011. Shortly after I married my husband we were sent to Wright Patterson Air Force base in Dayton Ohio for his first active duty station. It was in Ohio that I began my teaching career and have made a few jumps due to the military along the way. My husband and I decided a switch to the Air National Guard was best so that our daughters could have a permanent place to call home, which is now Howell! I began teaching at Howell in the Fall of 2021 teaching Physics, Conceptual Physics and Forensics. 

I started teaching at Howell High School in 2018. I currently teach Earth Science, Astronomy, Chemistry, and Fundamental Chemistry at the 10-12 Campus. I graduated in 2017 from Michigan Technological University with a double major in Integrated Sciences and English as well as minors in German and Writing. I love nature and animals. I have 2 bearded dragons, Dr. Watson and Nitro, in bioactive habitats! As well as fish, a dog and a cat. In addition to teaching, I am also the club sponsor for the Howell Alliance Community. My husband, James, and I married in 2017 and live in Howell. We have two children, Nash and Rowan. 

Click here to see Mrs. Kanka's welcome video!

I started teaching at Howell in the Fall of 2001.  Love being a part of this district!  I have taught a variety of science classes.  I am currently teaching Anatomy & Physiology, Forensic Science, and Earth Science.  I have taught Earth Science, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology.  I love to bring professionals in these fields to talk with our classes.  One of my favorite parts of teaching science is the dissections we get to do in Anatomy & Physiology.  We have a diverse group of science class opportunities here at Howell High School.  We also have a Highlander Science Abroad group that travels and experiences different cultures while getting to study science in the field.  I am leading a trip to Costa Rica for Spring Break 2022 and a Health Sciences themed trip to England + Scotland over Spring Break 2023 (Students can still sign up for this trip).  Part of the reason I got into science education was my love for animals.....I planned on becoming a Herpetologist when I was a student in elementary school.  Because of my love of animals we have some class pets in I-1.  Mr. Snuggles is a corn snake that is the class mascot.  I'm not sure exactly how old he is, but he is over 15 years old.  Ratchet McSpeedy is a Russian Tortoise that joined the class in January of 2022.  He is most likely in his mid to late twenties (yes you read that right) and will potentially live past the age of 50.  Along with a love of animals I love to run. I am also blessed with the opportunity to coach the Cross Country team at Parker Middle School. 

Click here to see Mr. McCall's welcome video!

I have been teaching Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy and AP Biology at Howell High School for 19 years.  I graduated from the University of Michigan with a BS in Cell & Molecular Biology, and Master Degrees in Cellular & Molecular Biology, Epidemiology and Secondary education.  I like to read, hike, kayak, watch movies, and travel.  I love science and watching real life medical programs that gross other people out. The love of my life is short, white and furry and goes by the name of Sadie.

Click here to see Ms. McLaughlin's  welcome video!

I am new to Howell Schools, joining as a biology teacher this last February. I am excited for my first full year here!

I have my undergraduate degree in Microbiology from the University of Michigan. I returned back to school to earn my teaching degree at Eastern Michigan University in Biology and Chemistry.

I have worked for many years in between as a bread baker and custom cakes. I still have a love for baking (some how!). I enjoy spending time with my family, going hiking, playing guitar, and crossword puzzles. 

I started my career at Howell High School in 2006 after getting both a Bachelors and Masters degree from Michigan State University (Go Green!).  After one year of teaching at the 10-12 building, I moved to the Freshman Campus where I now teach 9th grade biology and chemistry.  I am hopeful to instill a love for science in our students as they enter high school in hopes they will take the opportunity to explore all that the Howell High School science department has to offer.  In addition to being a classroom teacher, I also am the science department head, sit on the high school school improvement team, and am the class sponsor for the freshman class.    When I am not teaching, I love spending time with my husband and two children, sitting down with a good book and being the ultimate fan at all of my children's many sporting events.

I’ve been teaching for 31 years and a Highlander for the past 29 years teaching at the high school campus.    Over the years I have taught a variety of classes but for the past several I’ve had the pleasure of teaching Advanced Placement Biology and Chemistry.  Our district has a very strong science department providing a multitude of offerings to meet the interests and aspirations of our students. Aside from working with such a fantastic and talented group of students in class, I enjoy spending time with my husband and two busy college age children.  Beyond the classroom I love to  watch sports of ALL kinds, spending time outside enjoying the sunshine and gardening.  Looking forward to another great and exciting year.  GO HIGHLANDERS!!! 

Click here to see Mrs. Somers' welcome video!

This is my 24th year of teaching at Howell High School. I graduated from MSU with a major in Biology and Chemistry. I’ve taught mostly Chemistry at Howell and will continue to do so this year. I used to coach JV basketball  and JV football at Howell many years ago. I have a wife of 24 years and two boys who are about to turn 12 and 14. I enjoy hunting, fishing and woodworking as well as coaching my boys in many youth sports. I also used to have a rather extensive reptile collection but that was a hobby that died with marriage. I’m looking forward to facing the new challenge of online learning with your sons and daughters this year. GO HIGHLANDERS!

Click here to see Mr. Walker's welcome video!

From a young age I have had a passion for animals and the outdoors. Initially, I started my college career as a pre-vet major, but soon realized my true calling was to mentor and teach. Already having a strong educational background in science and math led naturally to that being my teaching focus. I graduated from MSU with an Animal Science and Agriscience degree as well as a teaching certificate with endorsements in agriscience, biology and integrated science. Prior to teaching at Howell I taught a wide variety of middle and high school science classes in both Indiana and Michigan. After school and on the weekends, my time is filled with the joy of raising twins. I have been fortunate to always have horses and riding in my life and continue to train and compete horses whenever time allows.