Summer Kampers Staff

Director’s Credentials

JODY FISHER.
Jody holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Michigan with dual minors in Fine Arts and Social Sciences. She has 8 years experience in private school admissions and administration, 14 years experience in teaching children aged 5-15, 12 years experience in developing and administering summer camps, 15 years experience running small businesses, and over 20 years experience in graphic design, marketing and business management. She is a creative individual with talents in motivating staff, business management, program development, and a love of working with children. Under her direction, Summer Kampers has enjoyed consistent growth and profit, even in its premiere year.

Teachers

PETER RANSOM
Peter has been an integral part of the Summer Kampers program since 2004. He has served in a variety of capacities, including administrator, teacher, teacher- aide and after school supervisor in all three of our programs. He has been a favorite Hogwarts Professor, playing the convincing role as a “safe” vampire teaching Wizard Duels. He has multiple years of experience in stage combat, special effects, martial arts and theatre. This year he brings in new and exciting classes–– (e.g. Nerf Tactics, Stage Effects and Fight Science) that will dazzle children and parents alike. He serves as Assistant Director of Summer Kampers.

WENDY RANSOM
Wendy has taught elementary students in the Ann Arbor area for the past 11 years. In addition to her teaching experience, she has skills as a respiratory therapist and in theatrical swordplay. She has taught Wizard Duels in our Hogwarts program, relying in her expertise in proper sword stances and the Latin language to portray an effective and believable experience.

NANCY ST. CLAIR
Nancy is a woman of many talents and skills. She is an accomplished microbiologist, holding patents in her name. She has taught Art to children aged 3 through 15, and has taught in our Enrichment and Hogwarts programs since their inception. She has taught a variety of art and science enrichment courses. Nancy designed, created and built most of the props for the Hogwarts program on a volunteer basis. She has played the part of Agnes Cranston, Divination Professor, as well as Professor St. Clair, the Minerva McGonnagall-esque Potions Professor. She has an obsession with the potion of youth. Every session, she has her students attempt to make this precarious potion, which she then samples. Inevitably, the inexperienced wizards include too much kitten fur (she turns into a cat, complete with cat-eye contacts and real cat whiskers), too many baby spinach leaves (she begins to turn green more and more throughout the day, from her ankles to her ears), or too much of everything (one year she turned into a 9-year old girl. The young lady who played the part of the young Professor St. Clair wore her clothing, and completely nailed her personality characteristics, giving a very convincing performance!)

DENNY JACOBS a.k.a. LITHAM STAANES
Litham joins us as a mysterious Hogwarts Professor specializing in Defense Against the Dark Arts. The background of this wizard is unclear, but rumor has it that he is actually a valued member of the Department of Magical Law, e.g. A bona fide AUROR! We will all enjoy getting to know this interesting character. Be sure to sign up for Hogwarts at Summer Kampers to see what he has in store for you!

JESSICA MASSERANT
Jesssica is a teacher at Fowlerville Community Schools. She earned her BA and teaching certificate in Secondary Education from EMU in 1992. She specializes in English Language & Literature, Public Speaking, Theater and Psychology, and is also experienced working with children with special needs. She has over 17 years experience working with children from preschool to adult levels. In addition to her credentials in the field of education, Jessica has 4 years experience training and 3 years teaching Okinawa Go-Ju Ryu Karate. She is a 1st Kyu belt rank and anticipates black belt level achievement later in 2007. She is a self defense and bullyproofing workshop instructor with Ohana Karate in Fowlervill, and is experienced in Krav Maga self protection for children and adults. She is a member of the Theatrical Combat Network stage combat fight team, and a member of the Resident Cast of the Silver Leaf Renaissance Faire in Battle Creek. Summer Kampers is pleased to welcome Jess to the staff. She will teach several enrichment classes, including Self Defense for Girls, Fight Science, Poetry Slam and Shakespeare for Kids.

BEN DICKINSON
Ben is both a teacher and a certified EMT. He has a passion for Quidditch, Defense Against the Dark Arts, as well as RPGs, Art, Design & Build classes, Super Soakers, Nerf, Wrestling, and other supercharged, energetic and creative classes!

SUE COMPTON HEISS
Sue is a teacher who has a passion for the sciences! She comes up with the most wacky and fun activities that have a sneaky way of teaching some hardcore science to her unsuspecting students! She is athletic, spunky and always full of the unexpected.