In our most recent set of staff editorials, we covered several of the new staff members who joined our Groves school community this school year. However, due to the large number of additions to our staff, we didn’t get a chance to talk with each of them at the time. Since then, we have had the opportunity to talk with each of them!
Ellie Friedman- English Department
Question: Why did you decide to start working at Groves?
Answer: Groves is known for excellent academics and unmatched school spirit. I was also interested in our unique programs like Excel and the overall emphasis on interdisciplinary learning. Most importantly, everyone who knows Groves can speak to our sense of community. It’s really special.
Q: What are you most excited about this upcoming year?
A: I am looking forward to sponsoring the Creative Writing Club and First Generation Club, attending my students’ sports and events, and collaborating with the incredible English department to give our students engaging learning moments.
Q: What is your first impression of our school?
A: Groves already feels like home! I feel supported and challenged. Shoutout to my mentor (Sarah Scurti), my co-teacher (Sarah Day), and the other new teachers for making every day amazing.
Q: What inspired you to teach English?
A: I had amazing English teachers in high school. In college, I majored in politics/social studies but picked up an English minor. After working in a literacy lab and publishing research about writing development, I became interested in teaching writing.
Q: How long have you been teaching English for?
A: This is my first teaching job and my first (official) year teaching English, though I did a year of student teaching and have taught college students!
Q: What do you like to do outside of the school day?
A: I love spending time outside, watching reality TV, reading books (52 a year), going to the gym, and hanging out with friends and family.
Rochelle Sansom- Special Services Department
Question: Why did you decide to start working at Groves?
Answer: To be closer to my family, who are all in the Birmingham schools, and to be a part of this amazing school.
Q: What is your first impression of our school?
A: This school has a lot of school spirit. It was fun to watch all the homecoming events and games on field day!
Q: What inspired you to teach special services?
A: I enjoy the smaller group one-on-one experience you can have in special services, and helping my students achieve their goals.
Q: How long have you been teaching special services for?
A: This is my third year teaching in special services. I worked two years in an elementary school, and this is my first year in high school.
Laura Godwin- World Language Department
Question: Why did you decide to start working at Groves?
Answer: I decided to start teaching at Groves for a few reasons! To start, I know a few people who are already teaching here, and they love it! In addition, both of my sons are in the Birmingham School district, and I have enjoyed getting to know the district from the parent perspective and was eager to get to experience it as a teacher! I feel very grateful to be part of Birmingham, but especially excited to be here at Groves!
Q: What are you most excited about for this school year?
A: I’m most excited about getting to experience teaching English. My teaching experience has been strictly Spanish, but I absolutely love reading, and I can’t wait to share that with my 9th-grade students this year.
Q: What is your first impression of our school?
A: My first impression of the school is PRIDE! From the staff to the students to the parents, everyone is just so proud to be a part of Groves, and that is something I felt right away.
Q: What inspired you to teach Spanish?
A: My high school Spanish teacher inspired me to teach Spanish. I looked forward to her class and learning about the language, and I loved that she cared about us outside of just what she was teaching.
Q: What do you do outside of the school day?
A: Outside of the school day, I love to read, cook and spend time outside enjoying a warm, sunny day. In the fall, my family and I are all about football, whether we are watching the Lions or watching my oldest play for the Birmingham Patriots every weekend!
Scott Sansom- Math Department
Question: Why did you decide to start teaching at Groves?
Answer: I actually taught at Seaholm for the past four years. When I found out a teacher needed to move to Groves, I knew it would be a great decision because my daughter is a student here, and I’ll have two other children at Groves soon.
Q: What are you most excited about this upcoming year?
A: I love going to athletic events. I’ve already enjoyed football and am excited for boys’ and girls’ basketball this winter.
Q: What is your first impression of the students here?
A: The students are hard-working and really interesting to talk with. They seem to care about one another.
Q: How long have you been a teacher?
A: This is my 21st year in education, but 3 of those years were as a principal.
Q: What do you like to do outside of the school day?
A: Time with family, throwing a football, playing pickleball!
Olivia Zang- Music Department
Question: Why did you decide to start teaching at Groves?
Answer: This school year is my 14th year in BPS. I began my career teaching elementary orchestra at all 8 elementary schools. Since then, I have taught many orchestra and music classes across the district, and this year I’m super excited to work with Mr. Shawver and the Concert and Symphony Orchestras. It’s wonderful working with my old (and new!) students!
Q: What are you most excited about this upcoming year?
A: I’m very excited that the BPS music department has received many new instruments as part of the bond. It is wonderful to have amazing quality materials for all of our students across the district.
Q: What is your first impression of our school?
A: I love how welcoming everyone is! No one is afraid to say hi in the halls or lend a helping hand. Thank you for making me feel right at home.
Q: What inspired you to teach this subject?
A: I have been involved in music making since I was 4 years old, and I always knew that I wanted to have a career in music. During my undergraduate degree at Wayne State, I was able to do a teaching fellowship in partnership with WSU and the Detroit Symphony. At 19-23 years old, I was a director of an orchestra and got to conduct hundreds of students on the orchestra hall stage. This experience truly solidified my passion for music education.
Q: What do you like to do outside of the school day?
A: I LOVE to TRAVEL. I encourage every single person reading this to book the ticket- GO! Traveling the world has made me a better human!
Heather Roesner- Special Services Department
Question: Why did you decide to start working at Groves?
Answer: Before coming to Groves, I taught in a middle school. I really missed the excitement and connections that come with being part of the high school community. Groves was one of the few schools I hoped to join, and I feel so fortunate that it all came together.
Q: What are you most excited about this upcoming year?
A: All the high school things! Unified sports, dances, musicals — if it involves school spirit, I’m there. I’m looking forward to supporting students in and out of the classroom.
Q: What is your first impression of our school?
A: My first impression of Groves was that the building was large and a bit overwhelming, but the staff immediately made me feel welcome. Everyone has been kind, relaxed, and supportive, which made the transition easier.
Q: What inspired you to teach special services?
A: My inspiration comes from my mom, who was a special education teacher in Detroit for nearly 30 years. I loved visiting her classroom and helping her students. Those early experiences shaped my passion for education, especially special education.
Q: What do you like to do outside of the school day?
A: Outside of school, I enjoy walking, taking fitness classes, reading, playing card games, trying new restaurants, watching sports, and spending time with my family, which often includes driving my kids to their many activities.
Adam Hendry- Music Department
Question: What are you most excited about this upcoming year?
Answer: To see what the band can achieve here at Groves.
Q: What inspired you to teach special services?
A: I love music and I love being in band.
Q: How long have you been teaching band for?
A: I’ve taught school band for 14 years.
Q: What do you like to do outside of the school day?
A: Camp, fish, golf, root for my favorite sports teams and boating.
Alana Iafrate- Art Department
Question: What was your first impression of our school?
Answer: My first impression of our school was very positive. The atmosphere and energy felt very welcoming and lively.
Q: What has been your first impression of the students at our school?
A: My first impression of the students here has been amazing! Students are inclusive, polite, caring, talented and an inspiration to me every day.
Q: What inspired you to teach art?
A: My upbringing and love for the subject inspired me to teach art. My mother is also an artist and art educator, so my entire childhood was immersed in art and the importance of it.
Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of school?
A: Outside of school, I love spending time with my family and friends, painting murals, sculpting, gardening, and working on home renovations/projects.
Nolan Kamoo- Social Studies Department
Question: What subject do you teach?
Answer: I am a social studies teacher! I currently teach U.S. History, U.S. Government and my all-time favorite class, Natural Resources.
Q: What drew you to this school?
A: I am a proud Groves grad! I had a great experience here and continue to appreciate how many opportunities it provides for its students. When the position became available, applying was a no-brainer. Getting to share in many experiences with my students that I once had is special for me and truly a full-circle moment.
Q: What do you think about the students at this school?
A: There is nothing comparable to Groves students…in a good way! There is so much diversity, talent, and creativity that our students hold; it really is something to be celebrated and built upon. Helping motivate students to channel that into creating something they care about is an important role that I find myself in daily. Every day, I feel that my students teach me more than I teach them!
Q: What was your previous work experience before Groves?
A: This is my first full-time teaching job! Last year, I student taught and long-term subbed at Seaholm. Before that, I was a student at Central Michigan University and had many jobs on campus. I worked in our Admissions office, student government office, Leadership Institute, and Fraternity/Sorority Life office, to name a few. In high school, I was a lifeguard in the summer so that I could make enough money to blow it all on lunch during the school year. Currently, in addition to teaching at Groves, I coach the Men’s Water Polo team and Motor City Aquatics (club swim team). I also work in the human resource department at a local mental health clinic.
Q: What are you looking forward to this year at Groves?
A: What aren’t I looking forward to?! School events are by far my favorite part of the school year. Spirit Week, including Field Day and Homecoming, was a blast as always. I’m also looking forward to Charity Week events and growing in my relationships with students. While I definitely care about teaching and “in the classroom” things, supporting students and their passions outside of the school day is actually my favorite. Seeing students happy in sports, clubs, performances, jobs, and everything in between makes my heart happy
Q: How is Groves treating you?
A: On a scale of 1-10, probably a 6 or 7…
No, actually much better than that! Definitely with open and supportive arms! While my first year of full-time teaching has been far from easy, I am extremely grateful that I get to spend it at Groves. I always say that “people join people”…and, I gotta say, I joined the right people!
