Grand Valley State University - Charter Schools Office

Special Assistant to President for Charter Schools

(616) 331-9060

Timothy Wood, Ph.D. is the Special Assistant to the President for Charter Schools. Prior to joining the GVSU team, Dr. Wood was the Superintendent of Saugatuck Public Schools and has served as the principal of Northview High School in Grand Rapids and of Lakewood High School in Lake Odessa. In total, he brings more than twenty years of school administrative experience to the GVSU Charter School Office. AdvancED Michigan and the North Central Association awarded Dr. Wood the 2011 Excellence in Education Award for the State of Michigan. He received a BA from Hillsdale College, an MA from Central Michigan, and a Ph.D. from Michigan State University. He and his wife Wendy reside in the city of Saugatuck. His son Greg is a Michigan State graduate, while daughter Ashley holds a BA from the University of Michigan. They both live and work in Chicago.

University and Community Liaison

(616) 331-3479

Dr. Patricia Oldt is currently a distinguished professor in Grand Valley’s College of Education and is also University and Community Liaison. She joined Grand Valley in 2000 and served six years as a Vice President. Prior to joining Grand Valley Pat spent seven years as Superintendent of Northview Public Schools, seven years as an administrator in Grand Rapids Public Schools and 12 years in an administrative role with Grand Rapids Community College.

Pat received her doctorate from Michigan State University and has received a number of recognitions for her many contributions to the field of education.

Governance and Compliance Officer

(616) 331-3656

As Compliance Officer, Alyson is responsible for monitoring GVSU-authorized charter schools for compliance with state and federal laws and regulations and compliance with academies' respective contracts with the University Board of Trustees. Alyson is also responsible for maintaining the integrity of the electronic document management system and preparing and disseminating information related to the GVSU charter schools to the State of Michigan.

Alyson is a licensed attorney; after completing her undergraduate work at Purdue University, she went on to receive her Juris Doctor, with distinction, from The Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She enjoys spending time with loved ones, camping, baking, and reading when she isn't in the office.

Project Coordinator

(616) 331-9068

Amirah is the Project Coordinator for the Charter Schools Office. She provides assistance to Dr. Timothy Wood in areas of marketing and public relations and coordinates Professional Development Training for Charter School teachers and administrators. Amirah is a GVSU alumnus with a Bachelor of Science in Communications and is currently working on obtaining her Master of Public Administration at GVSU as well. When not in the office, Amirah enjoys spending time with her family, staying active, and traveling.

Office Assistant

(616) 331-2240

Sarah brings 11 years of experience at Grand Valley State University to the Charter Schools Office. As well, she is a 2008 Aluminus of GVSU, with a degree in Psychology. As Charter Schools Assistant, she works with the Project Coordinator and manages the Charter Schools Office. In her free time Sarah enjoys cooking for friends and family, traveling and keeping active either working out or taking long walks with her dog.

Senior Director of Operations and Policy

(616) 331-8549

As Senior Director of Operations and Policy, Rob is responsible for leading oversight of all GVSU authorized schools and managing the strategic development of GVSU’s portfolio of charter schools. Previously, Rob served as the Director of Research and Measurement in the GVSU Charter Schools Office where he lead the development of MI-School.net and designed GVSU’s contract performance reporting system. In spring 2011, Rob was nationally recognized as one of the top 30 education innovators under 30 years old.

A graduate of Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy’s Learning Sciences MA program, Rob worked as a consultant for a KIPP charter school in Chicago and was an Education Pioneers fellow in the summer of 2009. Prior to pursuing graduate studies, Rob taught in traditional public middle and high schools, led a non-profit summer camp, taught alpine skiing in Colorado, was a public affairs editor for the U.S. Department of Interior in Washington, DC, and earned basic certification in wildland firefighting in Utah. Rob completed his BA and teacher certification with high distinction at the University of Michigan.

Data Analyst

(616) 331-9003

As the Data Analyst, Ram manages performance analyses of the GVSU Charter Schools Office portfolio. Ram is responsible for developing annual contract performance reviews and providing real-time performance reports for all GVSU authorized charter schools. Additionally, Ram manages data updates to Mi-School.net website and assists Sr. Director of Operations and Policy, Rob Kimball.

Ram completed a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electronics and Communications from Anna University, Chennai, India in 2008 and then graduated in 2011 with his Master of Science in Computer and Information Systems from The University of Michigan-Flint. Ram has professional experience in web and database development and management.

In his spare time, Ram is a member of the Motown Cricket Club and has been a member of the select Michigan Cricket Team for the past two years. Beyond his love for all things cricket, Ram enjoys watching professional sports, camping, and traveling the world.

Compliance and Measurement Specialist

(616) 331-9070

Tona joined the GVSU Charter Schools Office staff in June of 2007 and serves as the Compliance and Measurement Specialist. Tona provides an array of assistance to Robert Kimball, Senior Director of Operations and Policy, and to Alyson Poe, the Director of Governance and Compliance in the areas of charter school performance, data reporting and compliance. When Tona is not in the office she enjoys attending various sporting events and visiting college campuses across the U.S. with her husband and two teenage children..

Reading Intervention Supervisor

(616) 331-9018

Wendy is in her second year working at the GVSU Charter School Office. Wendy has spent nine years as a Prekindergarten, Kindergarten and First Grade classroom teacher in the Hamilton and Saugatuck Public School Districts and four years as the Reading Intervention Specialist for Saugatuck Public Schools.  She got her under graduate teaching degree at the University of Iowa and received her Master’s Degree in reading, with a specialist endorsement, through Grand Valley State University.  She went into teaching because it is not something that she “does” but who she is!  She has always had a strong passion for children and she believes all children deserve the chance to succeed! She lives with her husband Ken and their two children, Lauren (6) and Carter (4), in Saugatuck.  She enjoys reading, taking classes to further her teaching background, exercising and spending time with friends and family.

Reading Intervention Specialist

(616) 331-9084

Jill Weber spent 10 years teaching third grade at Walker Charter Academy, a National Heritage School. For two years Jill was the Reading Specialist, Title I Coordinator, and Intervention Action Team Coordinator at Walker. This year she is a reading consultant for Grand Valley State University’s Charter School Office. Jill will be supporting GVSU charter schools in the area of reading. She received her undergraduate teaching degree from GVSU and has taken Master’s classes in literacy at Western Michigan University and Northern Michigan University. Reading has been Jill’s passion. She believes teaching a child to read is one of the most powerful things a teacher can do. She lives with her husband Jeff and their three children Drew (10), Colin (8), and Madelyn (6) in the Dorr area. Jill enjoys watching her children play sports, taking classes to further her teaching and reading background, running, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Assessment Specialist

(616) 331-16963

After 6 years as a middle school math teacher and four years training teachers in the areas of technology and NWEA data, Lissa comes to the GVSU charter schools office this year as the Assessment Specialist. Lissa’s main role will be to help design, develop, and facilitate professional development focused on understanding NWEA data and applying it to classroom instruction. She will also provide on-site NWEA support for the GVSU authorized schools throughout the year. Lissa received her undergraduate teaching degree from Alma College in the area of elementary education with a focus on Math and English, and her Master’s Degree from Michigan State University in the area of Educational Technology. Outside of work, Lissa enjoys traveling, supporting her favorite athletic teams, browsing Pinterest for her next new creative project, and planning for her upcoming wedding.

Field Service Representative

(616) 331-3708

Bob Fortin started his second career at GVSU in 1997 after working in K-12 system for 32 years, of which the last 14 were served as Superintendent of the Coopersville Area Public Schools. Bob presently serves the Charter School Office as a Field Representative where his primary duties are attending board meetings and working closely with both Charter School Boards of Education and their Principals.

When not working at GVSU, Bob and wife of 45 years, Marcy, enjoy the extended family their four daughters and 10 grandchildren provide.

Field Service Representative

(616) 331-6956

In his 33 years in K-12 education, Jim has been a teacher, principal, and superintendent. He has also served as an educational consultant and school accreditation mentor. Jim brings to the charter school community knowledge and experience from the private school world, as well as experience in other states including Arizona and Colorado. The expertise he provides to GVSU charter schools includes board governance, program evaluation, strategic planning, and leadership development.

Jim and his wife Greta have four children and two grandchildren.

Field Service Representative

(616) 331-9058

Dan joined the GVSU Charter School office in 2009. He spent 34 years as a K-12 classroom teacher, special needs teacher consultant and a high school administrator with Northview Public Schools.

In 2004 Dan was named the State of Michigan High School Administrator of the Year and in 2005 he was selected as the National High School Administrator of the year. Dan was also awarded the Grand Valley State University Outstanding Alumni Award in 2005. In addition to his duties as a field rep, Dan offers workshops and in-school trainings on the topic of Cassroom Management.

Dan enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren and traveling with his wife Shiela.

Field Service Representative

(616) 331-6962

James Smith, Ph.D. joined the Charter Schools Office (CSO) in November 2009 and assumed responsibilities for supporting GVSU authorized school boards and charter schools in Southeast Michigan. Prior to joining, James worked for IBM for twenty-eight years. When he retired in 2001 his responsibilities as Director of Education and Government Consulting included leading a large consulting practice that provided IBM management consulting and implementation services to K-12 school districts, higher education, and city, county and state governments in fifteen Midwestern States. James has a Bachelor and Master’s degree in Business Administration and - after retiring from IBM - earned a Ph.D. in K-12 Educational Administration from Michigan State University. His commitment to community service has included serving on the Lansing Area United Way Long Range Planning Committee; Lansing Urban League Board of Directors; Detroit Urban League Board of Directors; and the Board of Directors of Great Oaks Academy, a K-8 charter school in Warren, Michigan. Dr. Smith is married, has two sons, and enjoys reading, golf and tennis.

Field Service Representative

(616) 331-9059

Dan brings thirty-six years of experience in education to the GVSU Charter School Office. He has served as a school administrator for twenty-five years, most recently as a middle school principal for Rockford Public Schools. Dan has several years experience serving on state committees associated with school improvement, accreditation and recognition. In addition to his duties as a field rep. Dan is also offering professional development workshops and in-school training centered around technology in the classroom. Dan is a graduate of Grand Valley State University and received his MA from Michigan State University. Dan and his wife Joni have a daughter, Jessi currently a student at Michigan State University.

Technology Specialist

(616) 331-9069

As Technology Specialist, Devin is responsible for internal technology support for the GVSU CSO. Devin will graudate in April 2012 with his bachelor’s degree from GVSU Seidman College of Business with major's in finance, and economics with an emphasis in real estate. Devin also has minors in mathematics and engineering. In his free time he buys and renovates rental properties in the downtown area of Grand Rapids.