Contact Our Experts

Ruth Anne Hodges, EEU Manager, 517-241-2219

My role is to support my Unit's planning initiatives that help school districts implement effective, engaging, and equitable education experiences that put students first. I provide policy advice, feedback, and research on all facets of education experiences in Michigan to Unit members and Department leaders to ensure cohesive messaging and guidance across the State on education experiences and options that center on children. I support my team in providing technical assistance to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) and Intermediate School Districts (ISDs) on laws, rules, and research related to educational experiences and options.

Rashell Bowerman, Instructional Consultant, 517-335-3062

My main charge is to support our school districts with the implementation of the Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC) graduation requirements. The MMC and embedded flexibility are intended to be the foundation and assurance that all students leave our systems career- and college-ready. As an MMC expert, I help districts as they work to embed all content standards in their diploma pathways, emphasizing proficiency while also leveraging flexibility options to create better experiences for increased student engagement. This work involves sitting with leadership teams to reimagine what high school could and should look like, much different from systems of the past and present. In addition to the MMC, I bring knowledge and experience in the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), special education, instructional practices, and tiered intervention strategies.

Sarah Dennis, Department Analyst, 517-241-9041

In my role, I support the EEU on a variety of projects focused on ensuring positive, engaging experiences for Michigan students and encouraging equitable outcomes in classrooms. This work includes the development, implementation, and review of grant and waiver applications. Additionally, I conduct, in collaboration with the EEU content experts, a variety of professional research, analyses, and support to plan, develop, implement, and evaluate various Departmental programs and services.

Dr. Jill Griffin, Urban Education Consultant, 517-275-1889

I serve as one of three mathematics consultants, as well as a networker and connector - supporting educators, leaders, ISDs, districts, schools, and partners organizations across the state. I work as a thought partner to help reimagine and modernize mathematics teaching and learning through a lens of social justice, cultural competency, and responsiveness to student interests and identities. My work centers on building relationships, strengthening systems, and elevating practices that expand access, belonging, and opportunity for all learners. More importantly, I center “Students First.”

Scott Koenig, Social Studies Consultant, 517-281-7118

I serve to support the implementation of the Michigan K-12 Standards for Social Studies. This work is guided by the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework, which centers on an inquiry approach to social studies education. In addition, I develop and maintain key partner relationships that advance social studies, leading, and learning. These relationships support my efforts in advising MDE on social studies-related topics and support local schools, districts, ISDs/RESAs seeking to develop or improve social studies education that centers students in the learning experience. My work supports social studies leaders and learners who implement the purpose of social studies. This includes promoting the knowledge, skills, intellectual processes, and dispositions required of people to be actively engaged in fulfilling their responsibility of civic participation while learning how to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good.

Mike Leathead, Mathematics Consultant, 517-241-0439

My role as one of three mathematics consultants supports educators, administrators, coaches, districts, ISDs, and partner organizations. I provide consultation on the implementation of the Michigan K-12 Standards for Mathematics (specifically the middle and high school standards). I help administer and monitor State and Federal mathematics learning investments. I provide technical assistance to grantees, including local school districts, educational agencies, and institutions. I collaborate with other consultants and projects within the EEU, Office of Educational Supports (OES), Office of Curriculum and Instruction (OCI), and other MDE Offices to support student-centered systems, including competency-based education projects, computer science integration, data science and data literacy guidance, and culturally responsive instruction.

Brittney Liggett, Mathematics Consultant, 517-241-4285

I serve as one of three mathematics consultants, working across the State to support educators, leaders, ISDs, districts, and partner organizations. I support the implementation of the Michigan K-12 Standards for Mathematics and help bring them to life by working alongside educators and leaders to strengthen mathematics teaching and learning in ways that reflect children’s thinking, honor their identities and interests, and foster confidence, curiosity, and joy in mathematics. My work centers on building relationships, supporting coherent systems, and elevating instructional practices that expand access, belonging, and opportunity in mathematics. I bring knowledge and experience in elementary mathematics and instructional coaching, informed by research on effective mathematics teaching and learning. At the heart of everything I do is a commitment to putting children first.

Jeff McNeal, Programs and Grants Consultant, 517-275-1884 (schedule time to meet)

I support innovative educational programming. If flexibility in educational systems, including accelerated learning, dual enrollment, and alternative education, is your district’s pathway, I can help. We can explore how students can demonstrate proficiency in different ways and how to represent those proficiencies in a digital world. We can navigate through the flexibility allowed under various school aid and school code statutes. I am your go-to person for Dual Enrollment and Innovative Systems. I am the lead on Accelerated Learning and the MI Kids Back on Track (23g) Grant. Some of you know me as your Coordinated Supports Point of Contact (CSPC) coach.

Steve Nemeckay, Alternative Education/Online Learning Consultant, 517-331-7789

As an experienced alternative education teacher and administrator, I understand the importance of flexible learning opportunities. I support alternative education schools, which include Alternative Education and Innovation Waivers. I advise districts on innovative practices and flexibility allowed under various school aid and school code statutes, including competency-based education and online learning.

Leanne Weber, Science Education Consultant, 517-648-3711

I serve to support the implementation of the Michigan K–12 Science Standards, which call for high-quality, three-dimensional science instruction and assessment through student sensemaking of real-world phenomena and designing solutions to problems. Guided by research on effective science teaching and learning; I can help districts create a local vision for science education, provide tools to support the selection of high-quality resources, and clarify how to leverage the flexibility allowed in the graduation requirements to design engaging learning experiences for students. I work as a connector, facilitator, and collaborator throughout the implementation journey. In addition, I bring experience and expertise in grading practices, integration, disciplinary literacy, alternative education, multilingual learners, instructional coaching, and new teacher networks.