GRAPCEP Staff
GRAPCEP Interim Director
Philip Moerdyk
Mr. Moerdyk, a Creston High School graduate, earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from Central Michigan University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University. As an instructor, building administrator, and curriculum director in western and northern Michigan districts over the past twenty-five years, he has provided leadership for curriculum innovation, technology integration, grant writing and professional development at the building, district, and regional level.
GRAPCEP Academic Advisors
Meleah Gibson
Ms. Gibson is the Academic Advisor for 9th and 10th grades. With her she brings eight years of secondary teaching experience to assist students with the transition from 8th to 9th grade and to help them continue the successfully in 10th grade. She has previously taught at the former Rogers High School in Wyoming Public Schools and Zeeland West High School in Zeeland. She received her teaching degree with a concentration in English and Spanish from Calvin College. Ella da la bienvenida a la oportunidad de ayudar con los hispanohablantes en GRAPCEP.
Erin Belinger Goossen
Ms. Goossen has a B.S. in Child Development and Psychology from Central Michigan University, and an M.A. from Michigan State University in Student Affairs Administration with a concentration in Multicultural Education. Before coming to GRAPCEP, she worked at Davenport University as an admissions representative. She also has experience in collegiate housing and residence life, women’s issues, and multicultural affairs. During her time with GRAPCEP, over 99% of her students have graduated high school, and she has helped students earn $5 million in merit-based scholarships for college.
GRAPCEP Curriculum Specialists
Lucy Korpi
Ms. Korpi has spent 13 years as a teacher in high school science and English classrooms, most of them in alternative education. She received her undergraduate degree from Hope College and holds a Masters of Science in Science Education from Montana State University. While doing her masters work, she had the opportunity to take several classes in Yellowstone National Park studying both the biology and geology of thermal environments (think Old Faithful) and also spent considerable time observing wolf packs to better understand the ecology of the Yellowstone region.
Solly Thomas
Mrs. Thomas is the Math, Physics, and Engineering Curriculum Specialist. Mrs. Thomas has a myriad of corporate and education experience. With a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Loyola University, Mrs. Thomas has taught classes, trained instructors, led departments, and co-authored as well as edited a math textbook. She has worked as a manager and software programmer in corporate America. This experience allowed her to bring real world applications into the classroom. As an Adjunct Faculty member, she has taught classes at East West University, Pikes Peak Community College, and University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. Most recently, Mrs. Thomas was the Department Chair and Founding Algebra Instructor at University of Illinois at Chicago College Prep High School. The students at this high school made their mark by achieving the highest ACT math score for a non-selective charter school in the city of Chicago.
Philip Moerdyk
Mr. Moerdyk, a Creston High School graduate, earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from Central Michigan University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University. As an instructor, building administrator, and curriculum director in western and northern Michigan districts over the past twenty-five years, he has provided leadership for curriculum innovation, technology integration, grant writing and professional development at the building, district, and regional level.
GRAPCEP Academic Advisors
Meleah Gibson
Ms. Gibson is the Academic Advisor for 9th and 10th grades. With her she brings eight years of secondary teaching experience to assist students with the transition from 8th to 9th grade and to help them continue the successfully in 10th grade. She has previously taught at the former Rogers High School in Wyoming Public Schools and Zeeland West High School in Zeeland. She received her teaching degree with a concentration in English and Spanish from Calvin College. Ella da la bienvenida a la oportunidad de ayudar con los hispanohablantes en GRAPCEP.
Erin Belinger Goossen
Ms. Goossen has a B.S. in Child Development and Psychology from Central Michigan University, and an M.A. from Michigan State University in Student Affairs Administration with a concentration in Multicultural Education. Before coming to GRAPCEP, she worked at Davenport University as an admissions representative. She also has experience in collegiate housing and residence life, women’s issues, and multicultural affairs. During her time with GRAPCEP, over 99% of her students have graduated high school, and she has helped students earn $5 million in merit-based scholarships for college.
GRAPCEP Curriculum Specialists
Lucy Korpi
Ms. Korpi has spent 13 years as a teacher in high school science and English classrooms, most of them in alternative education. She received her undergraduate degree from Hope College and holds a Masters of Science in Science Education from Montana State University. While doing her masters work, she had the opportunity to take several classes in Yellowstone National Park studying both the biology and geology of thermal environments (think Old Faithful) and also spent considerable time observing wolf packs to better understand the ecology of the Yellowstone region.
Solly Thomas
Mrs. Thomas is the Math, Physics, and Engineering Curriculum Specialist. Mrs. Thomas has a myriad of corporate and education experience. With a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Loyola University, Mrs. Thomas has taught classes, trained instructors, led departments, and co-authored as well as edited a math textbook. She has worked as a manager and software programmer in corporate America. This experience allowed her to bring real world applications into the classroom. As an Adjunct Faculty member, she has taught classes at East West University, Pikes Peak Community College, and University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. Most recently, Mrs. Thomas was the Department Chair and Founding Algebra Instructor at University of Illinois at Chicago College Prep High School. The students at this high school made their mark by achieving the highest ACT math score for a non-selective charter school in the city of Chicago.