ABOUT US » FACULTY/STAFF PROFILES

Kiyo A. Morse, Head of School

Mrs. Morse holds BS and MS degrees in population genetics and immunology from the University of California. Her experience as a research scientist at the University of California and with the Swiss National Red Cross in Bern provided her with the expertise to serve as a science mentor for gifted students in the Plymouth-Canton Schools, where she also served for three years on the steering Committee of the Plymouth-Canton Association for the Academically Talented (PCAAT). Personally, Mrs. Morse is mother to three gifted and talented daughters, and in the community, Mrs. Morse has been a violinist with the Plymouth Symphony Orchestra since 1976 and has served as President of its Board of Directors for six years in the past. In addition to founding Steppingstone in 1981 and assuming all the responsibilities of its daily and long-term operation, she also attends a wide variety of seminars and workshops on gifted education, nationally as well as locally. She is particularly interested in the social and emotional aspects of total child development.

Donna Coffin, Director of Special Programs & Interim Admissions Director

Mrs. Coffin has taught all grades of Steppingstone since being hired in 1984. She received her BA in Upper Elementary Education as well as her MA in Classroom Instruction from Eastern Michigan University. Prior to teaching at Steppingstone, she taught four years with the Wayne-Westland School District and has also privately tutored. She regularly attends a number of state and national gifted education workshops.

Patty Giorgio, Director of Marketing, Public Relations & Development

Patty Giorgio studied Business at Eastern Michigan University and has over 25 years of experience working in the areas of Sales, Recruiting, Human Resources and Management. Mrs. Giorgio has extensive experience managing business development of multi million dollar customers. She has held positions of Director of Business Development, Account Group Manager, Branch Manager and Recruiting and Personnel Manager. Ms. Giorgio has extensive knowledge of marketing, sales and customer development. Mrs. Giorgio has been a member of the Steppingstone Auction Steering Committee for 7 years and has acted as co-chair twice. Mrs. Giorgio was also responsible to co-chair the Steppingstone building dedication in 2006. Because she is rearing a gifted son, she is developing a first hand, personal perspective of the needs of gifted and talented children. At Steppingstone, Mrs. Giorgio is involved in the area of development, public relations and marketing.

Sandra Blay, Business Manager

Mrs. Blay received her Associates Degree in Small Business Management from Schoolcraft College. Mrs. Blay was active in the PTO, as a substitute secretary and as a teacher’s assistant in the Clarenceville School District as her two children were growing up. Prior to taking on the bookkeeper position at Steppingstone, she was a Secretary, Office manager and Bookkeeper at various area corporations. Mrs. Blay belongs to Faith As One Volunteers where she works at a homeless shelter once a month by preparing and serving dinner to those at the shelter. She also helps prepare food baskets and helps clothe the homeless. Mrs. Blay is also currently on the Board of Directors of her condominium association.

Carol Powell, Beginning Elementary Teacher

Carol Powell earned her BA from Central Michigan University and an MA in Education, Collaborative Learning and Teaching, from Graceland University, Lamont, IA. She is certified to teach Elementary K-8, Early Childhood PK-K, Reading K-6, and "Parents as Teachers." In addition, Ms. Powell has nearly 20 years experience in a variety of classrooms from preschool through elementary gifted. We believe she will be uniquely suited to teaching the young gifted students in this classroom.

Karen Duval, Early Elementary Teacher

Karen Duval received her BS in Education (certified elementary K-8 and English Gr 6-8) from Wayne State University (MI). She is currently completing her MA in Education (Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment) from Jones Int’l University (CO) and has a particular interest in reading instruction and ESL (English as a Second Language). She has taught self-contained classrooms for 7 years, Grades 1, 3 & 5 and is a welcome addition to the Steppingstone faculty.

Lauren Clippert, Intermediate Elementary Teacher

Lauren Clippert received her BS in Education from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI. She held a variety of teaching internships for 5 years prior to her 2 years experience in a self-contained 3rd grade classroom. She comes highly recommended by her former colleagues and supervisors and taught a very organized and engaging science demo for some our gifted summer camp students earlier this month.

Amanda Thomas , Upper Elementary Teacher

Amanda Thomas graduated from Oakland University with a BS and certification in Elementary Education. In addition to her academic training, Amanda taught reading in Houston, TX, and archaeology at Cranbrook Schools and directed the Roeper Summer Camp for 4 years. Her strongest recommendation, however, comes from the Steppingstone staff for her excellent teaching last year.

Keiko Morse, Pre-High School Teacher

Keiko Morse has taught the PHS classroom at Steppingstone for 7 years with a 2 year break to teach 3rd and 4th grades in Savoonga, Alaska. She received her BA in Elementary Education with a math minor from Hope College in Holland, MI, and is currently working on her MA in Educational Administration. In addition, Keiko attended Steppingstone for her elementary education and implemented the Steppingstone Summer Camp program in 1992. Ms. Morse currently serves as Steppingstone’s Faculty Chair.

Dr. Philip D. Morse II, Science and Computer Instructor

Mr. Morse, Chemistry Professor Emeritus (biophysics and membrane physiology) from Illinois State University taught an education course called "The Foundations of Inquiry." This course developed "higher levels of thinking," a skill Dr. Morse integrated into his curriculum when he taught the Pre-HS students from 2001-2003. In 2004, Dr. Morse limited his teaching to Science for Pre-HS students and Computer Programming for all students. He is a parent of three gifted daughters, and previously taught science and computer programming in the day school and the Summer Day Camp. Dr. Morse is endorsed to administer "Teaching Science by Inquiry" workshops. In his spare time, Dr. Morse enjoys photography, playing piano, and developing scientific applications for computer hardware and software.

Jacqueline Wright, Music Teacher

Jackie Wright received a Bachelor’s dual degree in Flute Performance and Music Education from the University of Rhode Island and is certified to teach K-12. She also has a Master’s degree in conducting. In addition to her flute performance and conducting positions, Ms. Wright has taught for 3 years in elementary schools on the east coast and in Michigan.

Stephanie Sarris, Art Instructor

Mrs. Sarris has a Master of Fine Arts from the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Painting/Drawing. She also has a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Art Education, grades K-12, from the University of Michigan.

She has taught art for the following institutions: The Roeper School, International School (Farminton Hills), William Allen Academy, Schoolcraft College, College for Creative Studies, Henry Ford Community College, Kendall School of Design, Wayne State University, Madonna College, and the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Association.

Mrs. Sarris' art has been exhibited and commissioned locally as well as in other states. The Ariana Gallery Royal Oak and GalleryStudio 427 in Northville, both carry her work. Her art is also in many collections, including Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Compuware. She has commissions at Neiman-Marcus at Somerset and Tysons in Alexandria, VA.