Teachers
Samantha Parent
Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Parent graduated from MSU in 2017 with my bachelor’s degree in English. I went on to substitute teaching after graduation, where I accepted a full-time position at GLA shortly after in 2018. I worked for GLA for four years, before I was offered a new position working with Critical learners in the Chippewa Valley school district in 2022. After a year of being away I returned here to GLA to be with the awesome staff and students once again! I am now teaching Kindergarten here at GLA until the birth of my first child in March. I love working with early learners and watching them blossom over the year(s). It’s great to be back with some familiar faces. I cannot wait to see where this year takes us!
Courtney Peterson
1st Grade Teacher
Ms. Peterson holds a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree with a major in Psychology from Oakland University. After graduating, she spent three years working with children who have autism as a Registered Behavior Technician before pursuing a career in teaching. Ms. Peterson loves being a member of the GLA family and having the opportunity to help children reach their highest potential.
Ms. Peterson enjoys reading and watching movies in her free time and is especially obsessed with Harry Potter, Disney, and Marvel. She thinks it is also important for everyone to know that she has the most handsome and lovable dog in the world–a yellow lab named Mowgli–and will never be convinced otherwise.
Mr. Joshua Niederhauser
3rd Grade Teacher
My name is Mr. Niederhauser, born and raised in Oakland, Michigan. I have a bachelors in mathematics and elementary education and a strong passion for helping others. You could find me enjoying the outdoors, at the ice rink of spending time with loved ones when not in the classroom!
Ms. Clarissa Guevara
4th Grade Teacher
Clarissa Guevara is originally from Wood Dale, Illinois. She received her bachelor’s in psychology with a minor in sociology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She played the piccolo in the marching band and was also on the rugby team there. She moved to Michigan about two years ago and has really enjoyed her time here so far! Some fun facts about her is that she has 2 crazy cats named Sami and Sophia, and is the eldest of 7 children. In her free time, she also loves to paint and cook new foods!
Ms. Evee Sampson
5th Grade Teacher
Ms. Sampson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Saginaw Valley State University, where she majored in Psychology with a minor in Spanish. She also holds a master’s degree in Higher Education in Student Affairs from Northern Michigan University where she also worked as a Resident Director, Assistant Director for New Student Orientation, and Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance.
Ms. Sampson loves working at GLA because she believes it is a phenomenal establishment for young minds to be molded into our future leaders and educators. In her spare time, she enjoys watching Disney movies and spending quality time with her family! One of her goals in life is to visit every Disney theme parks around the world!
Ms. Charla Holt
8th Grade Teacher
Ms. Charla Holt holds a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree with a major in English from Oakland University. She has been working in the field of education since 2009. She joined the Great Lakes Academy team in 2014. It is an honor to serve the Great Lakes Academy family.
Ms. Holt is dedicated to cultivating academic excellence in to every student who enters her classroom. It is her professional goal for 100% of my students to show academic growth.
Ms. Deanna Jolley
Science Teacher
Ms. Jolley recieved her Bachelor of Arts in Education, Interdisciplinary Studies from Western Governors University and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Educational Leadership. She started teaching in 2017 and taught 4th and 5th grade math and science.
She enjoys her time in the classroom with her students and learning about who they are and watching them develop their academics. She likes to spend her downtime with friends and family, read, and watch movies.
Mr. David Loos
Math Interventionist
Mr. Loos holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern Michigan University, as well as an Elementary Education teaching certificate from Western Governors University. He is heading into his third year with Great Lakes academy, as the technology teacher and math interventionist. Mr. Loos has coached middle school and high school basketball for 12 years and also high school baseball for 10 years. He enjoys sports, and spending time with his wife and new born daughter.
Mrs. Catherine Lomnicki
Success for All Facilitator
Lead Teacher
Teacher Mentor
Assessment Coordinator
Reading Specialist
MTTC Coordinator
Mrs. Lomnicki holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Oakland University. She earned her Master of Arts in Teaching Reading and Language Arts degree also from Oakland University. Mrs. Lomnicki is a certified Reading Specialist and has additional teacher certification endorsements in Language Arts, Science, Social Studies and Mathematics. She is a founding staff member of the Great Lakes Academy family. She began her service in 1997.
Alexandria Taylor
Art Teacher
Alexandria is passionate about visual arts and how they function in our students’ future careers and everyday lives. I encourage each student to practice self-discovery by giving freedom of expression in all our projects to explore and validate themselves in their own unique and dynamic identity. I find purpose in showing the students many cross-sections where art, science, and all types of learning combine into reality. I believe their creativity is what will propel them forward to standout and succeed.
David Bashaw
Theatre Teacher
David Bashaw is our Performing Arts teacher. After graduating from Oakland University and receiving a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre, he performed professionally for the Detroit Pistons for three seasons. In his free time, he enjoys singing, dancing, writing, and playing video games.
Subrenia Walker
Co-Teacher
Subrenia Walker is a paraprofessional who will be co-teaching in the kindergarten classroom. She has over 20 years of teaching experience with early learners and holds a degree in Early Childhood Development. She says that she experiences so much joy working with early learners, and that they are so pure of heart. She loves seeing the spark in a child’s eyes when they discover or learn something new.
Ben Lubben
Co-Teacher
Graduated from Grand Valley State University with a degree in political science. After graduating, he enlisted in the US Army, where he spent 10 years including two deployments to Iraq. During his time in the Army, he graduated with a Master’s in International Relations from American Military University. After the Army, he began work on a PhD in political science at Wayne State University (completed everything but the dissertation). He has taught at various Metro Detroit schools. He has also taught at West Shore Community College and Rochester University (MI). He is an avid reader of military history and politics.
Keith Bradford
Co-Teacher
After retiring from a corporate environment Mr. Bradford made the decision to pursue his interest in the field of education. He studied Interdisciplinary Studies at Wayne State University and received his master’s degree in Administration and Leadership from Central Michigan University. Mr. Bradford enjoys roller skating and long walks in nature. He believes that no matter the difficulties of the day, knowing he has helped someone in some way makes the effort worthwhile. He looks forward to getting to know the students and faculty at Great lakes.
Kenny Uzoigwe
Co-Teacher
Kenny Uzoigwe is a para-professional who is passionate about soccer. Kenny graduated from the University of Toledo. He is a former MLS player with the Colorado Rapids and hall of famer for the Michigan Bucks. In his spare time he is a soccer coach and enjoys spending time with his family and vacationing.
