Meet Your BC STEM Team for 2020-2021

The start of the next school year at BC STEM may still be weeks away, but we hope your families are as excited as we are to return to our classrooms!

At BC STEM, we’ve built a one-of-a-kind educational experience here in Battle Creek, where we see each student as innovators who ask new questions and explore possibilities with us. We are counting down the days until we can see our innovators’ smiling faces again in the fall — and we’re excited to announce that we’ll have a few new staff members there to greet you as well!

Learn more about the BC STEM family:

Casey Campbell is the Engineer Specialist at BC STEM. Originally from El Paso, Texas, Mr. Campbell graduated from New Mexico State University with a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering Technology. After working for the University post-graduation, he eventually moved to Michigan for an Engineering position and then joined the education sector at the Calhoun Area Career Center. There, he instructed both the CAD/CAM class for 3 years and CAD class for the Michigan Youth Challenge Academy, of which he is still a part of today. Having fallen in love with a profession that he had never foresaw, he is truly passionate about helping give the education that changed his and so many other lives for the better. A proud father-to-be and owner of far too many cats, he enjoys spending time with family, cooking Asian food, playing multiple stringed instruments and creating Art/Animation.

Dr. Sean Galvin is joining BC STEM as a 6th and 7th Grade Social Studies teacher. He has broad experience in the education world. He joined BC STEM from Northwestern Middle School, where he taught geography. Dr. Galvin also served as director of scholarship, mentoring, and after-school programs and coached high school basketball. Dr. Galvin has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Michigan State University, a master’s degree in education from the University of Michigan, and doctorate in educational leadership from Eastern Michigan University.

TaShaune Harden will begin her first year as the new BC STEM Principal this fall. She is a proud Battle Creek native and product of BCPS, as she graduated from Battle Creek Central High School and was a member of the very first class of the Battle Creek Area Math and Science Center. She later earned her Bachelor of Science as a general biology major and a general science minor from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Midway through her teaching career, she earned her Master of Science degree in Education Leadership from Concordia University-Ann Arbor. After teaching middle school science in Southwest Detroit for over 15 years, where she established lasting relationships with community members and families, she is very excited to join BC STEM. In Detroit, Ms. Harden served on various committees to advocate for equity in education, as well as nationally in the area of Human and Civil Rights. She also enjoys watching college football, collecting art, listening to music, and spending time with her family. She is eager to partner with you to ensure success for your child!

Dr. Anita Harvey serves as the Director of District Transformation for Battle Creek Public Schools. Dr. Harvey has spent 22 years in education — prior to this position, she was the Principal of the 9th Grade Bearcat Success Academy at Battle Creek Central High School and serves as a teacher, dean and principal in Benton Harbor. Dr. Harvey earned an Associate of Arts degree from Lake Michigan College, a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree from The University of Michigan, a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University, and a Doctor of Education degree from Michigan State University. At BCPS, In addition to her full-time dedication to being an administrator, Dr. Harvey serves as a mentor to other principals and educators, presents at state conferences and conducts equity audits for schools and districts. Dr. Harvey now lives in Battle Creek, Michigan, with her nine year old son, Leroy Anthony Harvey, III. She enjoys spending time with him and watching him develop into an amazingly talented young man.

Lacey Khon is the District Educational Technology Coordinator at Battle Creek Public Schools. Ms. Kohn is a Battle Creek native and originally graduated from Harper Creek High School. She attended Central Michigan University where she earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education. She then went on to teach 5th grade in Manistee, MI for 4 years. She moved back to Battle Creek and became an Instructional Technology Specialist for Kalamazoo RESA. She came to us in July to help the teachers of BCPS effectively integrate technology into their classrooms. Ms. Kohn is a bonus mom of 4 daughters and has one son of her own named Jack. She enjoys crafting and spending time with her family.

Jamesia Nordman is an English Language Arts/Social Science Instructor at BC STEM. A proud graduate of Detroit Public Schools, Ms. Nordman went on to earn her Associate of Arts in Secondary Education from Washtenaw Community College, Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Theatre Arts and a Masters of Arts in Secondary Education from the University of Michigan. Ms. Nordman will also begin her Education Specialist degree next year. Outside of teaching, Ms. Nordman loves dancing, poetry, reading novels, botany and sports cars, and is married with a step son.

Naomi Sarelis will be joining BC STEM as a 7th Grade Science and Engineering teacher. She grew up in Kalamazoo and recently earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biology for Secondary Education with an Integrated Science Endorsement and minor in English for Secondary Education at Oakland University (OU). Outside of teaching, Ms. Sarelis enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and pets, any outdoor activities, cooking and baking, crafting, traveling and reading. She strives to create a caring, safe and engaging learning environment, which encourages students to believe in themselves and to do their personal best. This is her very first year of teaching and she is very excited to be part of such a wonderful learning community here at BC STEM!

Carly Seeterlin will join BC STEM as a 6th Grade Science and Engineering teacher. She is originally from a town called Okemos, MI, and is a graduate of Michigan State University with a bachelor's in education and a focus in integrated science. Her favorite subjects to teach include environmental science, biology, and engineering. When it comes to teaching science, Ms. Seeterlin believes that science doesn’t happen in a textbook. Science is what is happening all around us and it is our job to explore it with hands-on activities so students become critical thinkers and lifelong learners. She is excited to start teaching and getting to know your child! In her free time, Ms. Seeterlin enjoys cooking, biking, swimming, and playing with her Australian shepherd, Enzo!

Imani Mastin is the BC STEM Secretary. Imani was born and raised in Jackson, MI until middle school. She went on to graduate high school from Albion Senior High School in 2010. Since graduating, Ms. Mastin has gained years of workforce experience in accounting, administrative and supervisory roles. After spending two years in Phoenix, Arizona, Ms. Mastin has recently returned to build a family and be a positive force in the communities she grew up in. She is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management. Ms. Mastin loves giraffes and anything giraffe related, to travel the world, spending time with her family and friends, and uplifting our youth.

Sarah Thomas is a 7th grade Math teacher at BC STEM. She received her bachelor’s in mathematics and secondary education from Grand Valley State University. Her first teaching job was in Arusha, Tanzania. There, she taught middle school and high school mathematics for two and half years while her students taught her Kiswahili. Afterwards, she spent a year teaching in Kalamazoo Public Schools before going on to complete her master’s in educational leadership at Western Michigan University, where she also served for two years as an academic advisor for major exploration. Ms. Thomas is excited to return to the classroom at BC STEM. In her spare time, Ms. Thomas is a lover of games, puzzles, and mathematics and enjoys running, hiking, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Dean Wheaton is joining BC STEM as one of the founding seventh grade teachers, starting his 17th year in education. All of his years of teaching have been in Memphis, TN and all but one of those years has been teaching seventh and eighth grade mathematics. Mr. Wheaton earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Memphis in 2000 and his Master of Arts in Education from Union University in 2002. Despite all of that, he is a firm believer in the old adage that true wisdom is knowing that you still know nothing. Mr. Wheaton has also been a coach of golf, basketball and softball. He is originally from Wisconsin and his wife, who is originally from Cuba, is also a teacher starting at Battle Creek High School! Mr. Wheaton has three children ages 23 years, 13 years and 18 months as well as two step children ages 14 and 10. In his free time, Mr. Wheaton enjoys woodworking, watching movies, and cooking on the grill.

Kia Townsend Williams is joining BC STEM as one of the Bearcat Coaches. Kia graduated from Battle Creek Central in 1986 and started working at Community Hospital in 1988, where she received her certification as a Surgical Sterile Processing Technician. In 1998, she decided to go deeper into the healthcare field and became a Certified Nursing Assistant. After many years working in healthcare, she moved to the factory and took a position as a Customer Service Specialist for 16 years. After losing one of her sons in 2009, she decided to go back into the healthcare field. Ms. Williams is blessed to have 2 grandsons now and to be able to take a position at Battle Creek STEM Innovation Center with a wonderful team and great kids!