Chuck brings to the WebPlus program more than twenty years of experience working with scores of school districts and state agencies across a six state area as an attorney and administrator of a federally-funded educational equity center based on the Ann Arbor campus of the University of Michigan. In this capacity and subsequently, as a regular and adjunct faculty member, Chuck has edited ten monographs, and more than 50 book chapters, articles, and papers delivered at national conferences. Research and publications have included ones focusing on a variety of topics, such as: child abuse and neglect, school shootings and zero tolerance, strategies for promoting educational equity for students of color, the role of principal in implementing special education mandates, and clinical education in administrator preparation programs.

Professional Experience:
Carman-Ainsworth Community Schools, Teacher, Art (K-12)  1973 – 1991
Carman-Ainsworth Community Schools, Principal, Dye Elementary  1991 – 2003

During his tenure as a principal, Jim served on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (MASCD), and was active in the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principal’s Association (MEMSPA) where he served on the local Board of Directors and was selected as Principal of the Year for MEMSPA’s Region 10. In addition to his work with professional organizations, Jim has presented at State conferences and workshops sponsored by MASCD, MEMSPA, and MAME.

Jim lives on a farm near Lapeer with his wife, Ellen who is the Principal of Community High School, an alternative high school in the Lapeer school district. Jim raises beef cattle, makes maple syrup, and builds wooden canoes in addition to doing educational consulting. He has also been known to pick a little bluegrass mandolin when the occasion presents itself.

Even though he has many interests, one of Jim’s main passions is promoting the success of Public Education, thus his interest in working with future teachers and administrators. He sees the pressures being placed upon Public Education as an opportunity for it to respond with creative vigor, and hopes to influence new leadership toward seeking fresh approaches to teaching and learning that will successfully respond to the necessity of addressing the needs of ALL students.

Johnny Young is also employed at the University of Michigan-Flint as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Student Life and Academic Advising.

Employed at the University of Michigan-Flint since 1984, Mary Jo Sekelsky was appointed to the position of Vice Chancellor in 2005. Dr. Sekelsky reports directly to the Chancellor and is a member of the Chancellor’s executive team. Dr. Sekelsky has been the principle investigator of grants aimed at increasing retention and graduation rates. She has also been the recipient of funding directed toward reducing substance abuse among college students. Her dissertation, The Effects of Holistic and Traditional Approaches on the Learning Strategies, Self-Concept, and Academic Achievement of Underachieving Commuter University Students continues to serve as the foundation of her research interests. Dr. Sekelsky has twice served as a scientific peer reviewer for the United States Department of Defense. She has traveled abroad extensively and was part of a national delegation of the American Business Women’s Association invited to study the contributions of women to the development of science and technology in the People’s Republic of China. Active in the community, Dr. Sekelsky is past president of the American Cancer Society-Genesee County Board of Directors and former chair of Wayne State University’s Flint Alumni Club. She has served on several local boards including the Shelter of Flint and Family Service Agency of Mid-Michigan. Dr. Sekelsky was elected President of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) Crossroad Connection Chapter in 2007 and continues to serve ABWA in that capacity.