SOI - Staff - Plymouth Community School Corportation

School of Inquiry Staff

The Weidner School of Inquiry @PHS is a small learning community where learning is student centered and driven by inquiry. Teachers are known as facilitators and students are learners. While the roles have changed, the learning is active, hands on and engaging. Our entire staff is built upon a cohesive culture that has been developed by the staff and is modeled for our learners. We believe a strong school culture provides the best foundation for student achievement.

Kenneth Olson - Director

Ken holds a B.S. in Business Management and Marketing from Valparaiso University. He obtained his Masters Degree in educational administration from Bethel College and his teaching certifications in Social Studies and Business Education. After spending 8 years in the business community he started his teaching career at Warsaw High School. After nearly a decade at Bremen High School, Ken joined PHS as the Dean of Students. As the Director of the School of Inquiry, he is very excited for the opportunity to help create a new school community from the ground floor up. Ken firmly believes that the unique culture that New Tech schools have been able to create through the Trust, Respect, and Responsibility model will help to make educational experience of students enrolled in the School of Inquiry one that has lasting value beyond the classroom and their high school years. Read Mr. Olson's blog here. Twitter@ken_v_olson

Michael Delp - Facilitator/Algebra I & II, Geometry

Michael is a life long Plymouth resident. He graduated from PHS in 1994. After high school, he attended Taylor University where he graduated with a B.S in secondary education with a major in mathematics and junior high endorsement. He is currently pursuing his Masters in Education from Indiana Wesleyan University. After graduating from college, Michael returned to his alma mater, where he has taught Algebra I, Algebra II, and ECA/Math Lab for the past fourteen years. During his tenure, Michael has also coached several sports including tennis, basketball, and golf. He is entering his fourteenth year as the Head Boy's Tennis Coach. He has also served as the Director of Tennis for the summer tennis program which annually provides nearly 300 students/adults with the opportunity to play tennis in either a league or lesson format. The opportunity to teach in School of Inquiry was attractive to Michael because he loves the opportunity to help young people overcome obstacles. He especially loved the days in the traditional classroom where application was emphasized because he saw student's engagement and excitement noticeably increase. He sees the PBL (or PrBL in the math classroom) methodology for teaching students as the best avenue for showing students how mathematics really does impact their daily lives. Twitter@coachdelp

Jennifer Felke - Director of Staff Development/Facilitator

Jennifer holds a B.A. in Economics from DePauw University. She obtained her Masters Degree and Business Education teaching license from Bethel College and her CTE Vocational license from Indiana State University. After spending nearly 20 years in the business community, she started her teaching career at Oregon-Davis New Tech where she was the New Tech Advocate. Jennifer enjoys seeing the students explore their love of learning and connecting their experiences with the real world. She is looking forward to facilitating two courses this year, Leadership Institute and 21st Century Communications. Twitter@jenfelke

Kelsey Flynn - Director of Communications

Kelsey holds a B.S. in Health Education and Physical Education from Indiana University. She has worked in the Fitness Industry for over 30 years teaching health education and fitness classes to all ages and holds numerous fitness certifications Kelsey has worked within the Plymouth schools as a JESSE Special Education Coordinator for the last 10 years . Most recently, she has obtained her Wellness Coaching Certification and enjoys working with those wanting to improve and take control of their personal health and fitness. Kelsey is excited about showing young adults that with positive and "self-empowered" direction.....the sky is the limit for every student in the School of Inquiry.

John Fishback - Director of Advisement

John received his B.S. in secondary science from IU and his M.S. in secondary education from Indiana Wesleyan and his M.S. in Counseling and Human Services from IUSB. He has taught biology, and earth space science at Bremen High School, Mishawaka High School, and Plymouth High School. John has also coached swimming, diving, and track and he has been the science club sponsor. John was a dolphin and sea lion trainer where he trained sea lions for the Naval Ocean Systems Center. John enjoys snorkeling, scuba diving, piloting and camping.

Grant Masson - Facilitator/Global Perspectives

Grant has received his Scottish Certificate of Education, a B.S. from IUSB, and a Master’s Degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. Grant's past work experience includes the British Army as a Corps of Royal Military Police and he also managed a 3300 acre farm in North Carolina growing wheat, corn, soybeans, and cotton. He is looking forward to working in the School of Inquiry because it will provide a new dynamic approach to teaching in which his learners will explore meaningful real-world problems and challenges. Grant is excited to see his students engaged in learning and inspired to obtain a deeper knowledge of the subjects they're studying. Built on a culture of trust, respect, and responsibility, he is excited to become a partner in each and every one of my student's learning experiences.

Lisa Mercer - Facilitator/Global Perspectives

Lisa holds a BA in French from Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana and she also studied at L'Université Catholique de l'Ouest, Angers, France. She completed her MS in secondary education at IUSB where she also minored in English. Lisa also has a Diplôme de Langue Française from Alliance Française and a Certificat Pratique de Français Commercial et Économique from La Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Paris. She began her teaching career in 1986 and Plymouth has been her teaching home since 1989. Lisa has taught both French and English in Plymouth where she started at Lincoln Junior High before moving to Plymouth High School. Lisa can't wait to work in the SOI because she wants to help the students realize that there are so many ways to use the English language. She is excited to work with the students for two trimesters in a row and believes that being able to get to know each other is going to be one of the best parts of our whole experience. Twitter@lisamercer4

Charlotte Tyree - Facilitator/21st Century Communications

Charlotte received her B.S. in Secondary Education with majors in Speech and Theatre and a minor in English from Indiana University. She also received her M.S. from Indiana University in Secondary Education. Charlotte started her teaching career at Wawasee High School in 1984 and she has taught at Plymouth High School since 1995. She ran the Marshall County Adult Basic Education Program for three years and has also been an adjunct faculty member for IUSB. She is assistant varsity speech coach and she is also the PHS drama and musical director and Performing Arts department chair. Charlotte is excited to work with students and see them apply their speaking skills in their projects.