SCOTTVILLE — The Mason County Central Board of Education is expected to approve the hiring of three teachers during its meeting Monday, June 22.
The recommendations include Gwenn Johnson as a middle school English/language arts teacher, Mallorie Johnson as a middle school science teacher and Alli Mast as a kindergarten teacher at Scottville Elementary School.
Middle School Principal Rob Dennis is recommending Gwenn Johnson for the English/language arts position after she completed her student teaching at MCC Middle School.
“Gwenn Johnson excelled at making connections with students and staff,” Dennis wrote in his recommendation to the board. “Her professionalism and teaching skills are beyond her years of experience.”
Johnson is a graduate of Ferris State University and said in her application letter that she hopes to continue serving a district she already considers home. She cited Mason County Central’s focus on developing the “whole child” and said she was inspired by the district’s GRIT model and commitment to lifelong learning.
Dennis is also recommending Mallorie Johnson for the middle school science position.
Johnson recently completed her student teaching at Andrew G. Schmidt Middle School in the Fenton Area Public Schools district. She earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Eastern Michigan University with majors in teaching and learning and earth science and a minor in biology.
Johnson said holds a Michigan certification in secondary earth and space science and biology. She completed classroom experiences in Brighton and Belleville schools and said those experiences strengthened her commitment to differentiated instruction and inclusive learning environments.
Dennis noted that Johnson has family ties to Mason County and has spent time in the area visiting grandparents and other relatives.
At Scottville Elementary, the district’s lower elementary, Principal Chris Etchison is recommending Alli Mast to fill a kindergarten vacancy.
Mast is a 2021 graduate of MCC High School. She recently earned a degree in elementary education from Grand Valley State University and completed her student teaching assignment in Grand Rapids Public Schools.
During a kindergarten placement at C.A. Frost Environmental Science Academy in Grand Rapids, Mast served as a long-term substitute teacher while her mentor teacher was on maternity leave, assuming responsibility for lesson planning, classroom management and family communication.
In her application, Mast said she is passionate about helping young students develop literacy, math and social-emotional skills.
“Mason County Central stands out to me not just because of my history here, but because of the strong sense of community I experienced as a student,” Mast wrote.
Etchison described Mast as “a perfect fit” for Scottville Elementary.
The board of education will also take action on hiring Brian Dotson as the new high school principal. See related story, posted on MCP on Friday, June 19, here.
The board will consider the three hiring recommendations during its regular meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. in the Mason County Central High School Library following a budget hearing scheduled for 5:45 p.m.
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