Notable Alumni

Mrs. Mary Betzoldt
Placement Coordinator, Teacher Education

Education
Graduated from Adrian College in 1968.
Master of Arts Degree in 1989 from Eastern Michigan University
Permanent Teaching Certificate from the State of Michigan in 1973: Grades 7-8 All Subjects: Grades 9-12  BD BA
Mrs. Mary Betzoldt is the Field Placement Coordinator, Teacher Education, at Adrian College after teaching in Adrian Public schools for a combined service of 43 years.

Betzoldt graduated from Adrian College in 1968 and then began her teaching career at Springbrook Middle School, at Adrian Public Schools. In 1973, Betzoldt Permanent Teaching Certificate from the State of Michigan in 1973: Grades 7-8 All Subjects: Grades 9-12 BD BA.

Then in 1989 she received her master’s degree from Eastern Michigan University.

Betzoldt taught in the Adrian Public Schools from 1968-1999: Grades 6,7,8,9,10,11 English: Math 7,8: Speech 8, Adrian High School 9-12: U.S. History 8. She was the Lenawee County Effective Teacher Trainer 1980’s. After retiring from APS, she then taught Speech and Communication Classes at the Jackson Community College from 2000-2005.

In 1996, Betzoldt joined the Adrian College Teacher Education Department  as an Adjunct Instructor. Her areas of instructing are:

- Literacy in the Content Area
- English Methods
- Methods of Secondary Teaching
- Field Experience Coordinator
- CPR and First Aid classes for MI certification
- Supervises Student Teachers

Mary and her husband, Jack, reside in Adrian and can be seen at various Adrian College events and sports, as well as enjoying the company of their grandchildren, Grace and Zeke.

Mr. Nathan Parker
Principal, Adrian Middle School 7/8

Education
Undergraduate Degree, Adrian College 1998
Graduate Degree, Marygrove University.
Specialist Degree, Siena Heights University
Mr. Nathan Parker is the Principal of Adrian Public Schools Middle School 7/8 building as of August 2010 to present. Parker is a 1998 graduate of Adrian College, received his master’s degree from Marygrove University, and his Specialist degree from Siena Heights University.

Parker spent 10 years at Morenci, first as a Spanish teacher and then as a high school principal. While at Morenci, Parker then served as interim superintendent for several months.

Dr. Chris Timmis said Parker has been successful at Morenci and “he’s big on school culture and discipline.” “Their student achievement has been strong and he’s done some great things as a leader to support teachers to make that happen.” Timmis also pointed to the range of roles that Parker filled as principal. “He’s worn many hats while at Morenci and been able to balance them all.”

“The key to a great school… is the same as it always has been and always will be—outstanding teachers,” he said. “Anybody can teach the top tier students. Great teachers can teach them all,” Parker said.
Nathan and his wife, Stacy, have three young children: Sean, Adam, and Ethan.

Ashley Evard
Teacher, South Korea

Education
Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies and Elementary Education, Adrian College, May 2010

"I graduated in May 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies and Elementary Education.  While attending Adrian, I held a few work study jobs, all with the Academic Services Department. I worked as a note taker, a tutor, and as a front desk supervisor. I also participated in Disabilities Awareness Week in March 2009. I was the Secretary and the Treasurer of my class my sophomore year and I was a member of Chi Alpha Epsilon Honors Fraternity.  While at Adrian, I worked closely with a few of the Education professors as well as several teachers and administrators in the Adrian Public School’s district, especially teachers and staff from Lincoln Elementary where I fulfilled the majority of my clinical experience hours, volunteered for various school activities and completed my Associate Teaching."

"As I type this, I am sitting in my apartment in South Korea, where I teach English to Korean children in a private school setting. Being at Adrian gave me the confidence and tools necessary to make this big move, literally to the other side of the world. If it was not for the courses I took, the time I spent in public school classrooms, especially during Student Teaching, or for the closeness I had with a few professors, I would have never made it out here. Now that I’m here, I cannot imagine how my life would be if I were not in Korea. I recently completed my first year and have just started my second. I absolutely love teaching out here. The students I work with range in age from 5-15 years old and they are all so smart and eager to soak up as much of the English language and culture that I can share with them."

Dr. Christopher Timmis
Superintendent, Adrian Public Schools, Adrian, MI July 2008-present

Education
Graduated from AC in 1996 (was VP for Class of 1995 and came back to student teach).  Majored in Mathematics and Communications-Advocacy.
M.Ed. in 1999 from Wayne State University.
Ed.D. in 2007 from Eastern Michigan University.  Dissertation: "A Study of School-Choice Students in the Southgate Community School District."

"I remember visiting Adrian College as a high school senior.  As soon as I walked onto the campus, everything felt right.  I remember meeting with the baseball coach and some faculty on the visit.  Great things happened over those next four years.  Now, as an adult, I feel a sense of pride as I think about the day I visited and decided to attend Adrian College.  I owe much of my success to the visit that day and the decision to attend Adrian College."

"Adrian College provided me the opportunity to grow as a person and as a leader.  My time at Adrian College, like so many others, was an important time in my life.  Those four years taught me how to learn, how to stretch myself, how to define myself, how to work in an ethical and principled-manner, and how to be a leader.  My education courses and faculty helped me define what type of educator I would become.  Everything I've done in my career since leaving Adrian College can be linked back to the positive experience I had. I love Adrian College and attribute my success to my experiences at AC."

As the Superintendent at APS, Dr. Timmis has accomplished the following:
·  Significantly increased test scores in grades 3-8
·  Received competitive School Improvement Grant totaling $2.75 million over 3 years for Adrian High School
·  Created partnership with Boys and Girls Club of Lenawee that resulted in a $1,000,000 capital project raised solely by private donations
·  Increased technology throughout the district
·  Implemented International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at Adrian High School and Middle Years Program at AMS 7-8 and AHS

Dr. Christopher Timmis currently lives in Adrian with his wife, Lori, and son, Drew.  They live 5 houses away from Adrian College.