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Hey there Shepherd!

Getting to know people and what they are about is a crucial key to successful teamwork, a successful school. I am going to do my best to post something about the special people involved at Shepherd Public schools. Look for it the first Sunday of each month. For the inaugural one, I have chosen two very special ones…Mike Halliwill (the picture in front of the White House) & Michael Willett (in the middle with his students). I believe they have been an integral part of helping raise school spirit and togetherness at SHS. They work tirelessly to bring students together through tailgates, spectator buses, and I even saw them giving their time at the Eisenberger Benefit. 

These are two very special young men who are in this profession for the right reasons, the students and their passion for teaching. Shepherd… these are two first class young men who are as passionate about their profession as you will find. You would be doing yourself a favor getting to know them and what they are all about. I know, myself, after 26 years here, I am learning from them and proud to say they are my colleagues.

Mr. G

Picture
First off is Mike Halliwill. After graduating from Saginaw Valley Mike has
been teaching at SHS for the past two years. He earned his Bachelors and majored in History and minored Political Science with a Sociology Endorsement in Social Studies He has taught World & US History along with Government & Econ. Along with that he is involved in Model UN, Football Tailgates, and chaperoning the Spectator Bus. Outside of teaching he can be found golfing, biking, competing at video games, traveling, playing tennis,
​and enjoys metal detecting. He also loves to visit Museums and Historical sites 

He sees the best part about teaching at Shepherd as the great students and staff. “It’s a fun and inviting place to be where learning is both important and fun.” 

Mr. Halliwill says his claim to fame is he helped set a Guinness world record for most fans at a hockey game.

His Favorite Quote is, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is good men to do nothing"
​-Edmund Burke

When asked what inspired him, Mr. Halliwill replied, “ My students… they make me want to try harder and be a better teacher every day.”


Picture
Next is Mr. Mike Willett. Mike is in his fourth year at SPS after graduating from CMU. He earned a BS degree in Education with the subject areas of English, Social Studies, and History. He has taught most of the levels of English classes and enjoys staying busy outside of the classroom by being the Golf Coach, Class of 2014 Adviser, and German Exchange Adviser. After school Mr. Willett
spends time coaching and playing hockey, golfing, traveling, trail biking, and has recently become a fisherman. His claim to fame is having visited 25
​countries.

According to Mike the best part about teaching at Shepherd is, “the students and people I work with. I truly feel like we can make a difference here, and our students show it every day.”

Mr. Willett has two favorite quotes: 

“Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or self confidence.” -Robert Frost

“It’s better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.” -Abe Lincoln

When asked who inspires him and why, Mike replied, “My dad--lived a tough/impoverished childhood and worked hard enough to come out of the shadows. Now he doesn’t have many financial concerns and can provide others with a lot of what he never had growing up.”

Two first class inspiring young men!


In a world of test scores, content standards & benchmarks, and evaluation fears, sometimes the main purpose can be pushed aside, even forgotten.  That is the kids.  Plain and simple they are the heart of what we do.  Let me be the reminder...

Email mrjbgross@gmail.com