Kalli Nowitzke was born in Ann Arbor and grew up and attended school in Dexter, where she still lives. She earned her teaching degree in Special Education (Intellectual Disabilities) from Eastern Michigan University and a Master’s in Reading from Dominican University in Illinois. She student taught at Eberwhite Elementary and coached cross country and track at Pioneer High School.
Her husband teaches math at Skyline High School. They both ran cross country and track at EMU. They have two children—a 12‑year‑old son and a 10‑year‑old daughter—who love sports and music. Their household includes bunnies, chickens, a dog, and they are currently fostering a second dog.
Nowitzke’s grandparents were also educators in Ann Arbor. Her grandfather was a principal at Abbott and her grandmother taught a typing class at Huron.
Torian Billings notes that Nowtizke is new to A2 STEAM and AAPS this year, but she has quickly made her mark as a Resource Room teacher connected with students in need of support.
He also applauds the fact that she’s implemented a Unified Sports and peer mentor program at A2 STEAM.
“We’re truly lucky to have her as part of our staff,” says Billings.
What inspired you to become a Resource Room teacher?
A family friend of ours has Muscular Dystrophy. His family asked if I would volunteer at Muscular Dystrophy camp in the summers when I was young. I spent many years volunteering at Muscular Dystrophy camp and loved every minute. The friends that I made at camp inspired me and encouraged me to pursue a career in this field.
How would you describe your philosophy or approach to supporting students with diverse learning needs?
I strive to listen carefully to students and their families so we can work together to meet each student’s needs. I believe that when every student feels they belong in our school community, they are much more likely to succeed.
What drew you to A2 STEAM, and how has your experience been so far as a new member of the school community?
I really love the Project Based Learning program, the inclusive practices and the focus on culture and commitment to equity. I am impressed with the administration and all of my colleagues. The school truly puts students first and shows consistent care and effort every day. There is a lot of love in the building and the communication is excellent. It’s just a very student focused and supportive community.
What does a typical day ln the Resource Room look like?
I am working in the general education classrooms, supporting students in small groups or one-on-one with their classroom content and specific academic goals. I also pull students for targeted reading, math, and other academic interventions either in my office or in the hallway. I serve students in Young Fives through third grade focusing heavily on problem solving to boost academic success and creating individualized materials and plans to meet each student’s needs. I meet with families and staff frequently to ensure the students’ needs are met to the best of their ability.
What are some strategies you use to help students build confidence and independence in their learning?
I use a lot of visuals, social stories and task analysis to build independence and confidence. I started the Unified Young Athletes program at STEAM, which is an inclusive sports program designed by the Special Olympics. We currently have a Running Club that meets and runs a few times per week at lunch recess. This program focuses on building a culture of belonging and provides leadership opportunities for students of all abilities. We have a group of students who meet once per week to plan inclusive school events. Our first event will be a game night for families. It’s an incredibly empowering program for students and I’m proud to continue to develop and expand it with our STEAM family!
I also like to have students present at their IEP meetings. It is very empowering. It allows the students to take a role in their education and understand how to advocate for themselves.
You’ve launched a Unified Sports program this year. What motivated you to start it, and how does it benefit students?
Yes, one of my former coworkers and I did the Polar Plunge together at the Big House, a few years ago, to raise money for the Special Olympics. He informed me that we could bring the Polar Plunge to our school. I reached out to the Special Olympics about this and the coordinator encouraged me to get our school involved in Unified. I started the program at Dexter Community Schools and expanded it to Washtenaw County. Our high schools in the area now have an SEC Unified league and student-led conference. I was excited for the opportunity to begin working with elementary aged children again in Ann Arbor Public Schools at STEAM (where I student taught and coached a long time ago) and am slowly working to develop and grow the program in our community with the younger students and with the help of many other staff members in our district.
How have students responded to the Unified Sports program so far?
The students love it! They talk about it every day. It’s a highlight of the day! Many families are thrilled too because it has been empowering for all students involved. Students are really forming wonderful relationships that carry over into the classroom. You see students educating one another on the needs of their friends. You see students making sure that no one is left out.
Can you tell us about the peer mentor program you’ve started? What are its goals and how does it work?
It aligns with Unified Young Athletes. To be a Unified school, you must have a leadership team of students that consists of all abilities. The students meet once per week, play games and talk about how to improve the school and make things more inclusive. The students have made safety signs to post around the school, inclusive signs (how to be inclusive), they’re planning a game night for families to showcase what they’ve been working on and to create an inclusive event. The students will be helping plan an Inclusion Week in the spring. The students also are hoping to plan a few additional field trips.
How do you collaborate with classroom teachers and other staff to support students in the Resource Room?
We are continuously talking and bouncing ideas back and forth throughout the day. We also have regularly scheduled meetings. We talk about curriculum, strategies etc. to continue to develop our programming and best meet student needs.
What do you find most rewarding about your work with students at A2 STEAM?
That I feel like I’m making an impact on the students’ lives. The students light up when they come into the building and this age is especially exciting because we are hitting milestones in their learning. Teaching students to read for the first time is incredibly rewarding. I also value the opportunity to teach young children about belonging and advocacy. Those skills will serve them throughout their lives, and it’s a privilege to help lay that foundation.
What are some challenges you’ve encountered in your first year, and how have you addressed them?
I am learning the processes and procedures in the building and district and it is taking some time. I have been asking a lot of questions and meeting with many of my colleagues to get more help and guidance.
Is there an accomplishment or moment this year that has been especially meaningful to you?
Seeing families beam with pride as their children led IEP meetings and hearing a student blend letters to read words for the first time have been very special. One student, who had never been in a public school setting before, performed in his first choir concert. Through collaboration and practice he – and his family – were so proud that he was able to participate and succeed alongside his peers.
What is your most-used app on your phone?
Hoopla or Audiobooks!
Favorite meal at your favorite local restaurant:
I will be honest that we do not go out to eat a lot, but I really love Italian food and Palio’s is one of my favorite Ann Arbor restaurants.
What are you most excited about in your personal life right now? Your professional life?
Our family loves to run and camp together, so planning races together and camping trips is something I really enjoy. We also fairly recently started rescuing and fostering dogs, so it is always fun to come home to happily wagging tails.
I am excited to be part of the Building Inclusion Coach team START program. I really enjoy meeting with teachers from all over the county to share ideas and learn about new ways to build a more inclusive community. I also am part of the Council for Exceptional Children legislative committee and we have some advocacy events coming up in the spring. I am also on the board for the TWall Foundation and we are looking to plan an event at my alma mater—Eastern Michigan University—this spring. I also am involved in working with a county team to create more opportunities in college programming for students with intellectual disabilities in our area: EMU, Washtenaw Community College and the University of Michigan.
How do you spend your summers?
Camping with the family! We also go to the east coast with our extended family, which is a lot of fun. I also spend some time in the summer completing professional development. Two summers ago I was able to go to Washington DC to learn more about advocacy work and talk with legislators about education. This past summer I was able to present at the Statewide Unified Conference in Frankenmuth.
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