Teachers and Healers - 2026

Teachers Healers AND

Bad Axe math teacher Lilly Hessling nds

Bad Axe math teacher Lilly Hessling may be in her first year as a full-time teacher, but she is no stranger to the teaching side of the classroom. Inspired by family and her own experiences on the student side of the desk, Hessling pursued becoming a teacher early in life.

"Mymotherismygreatestinspiration," Hessling said. "She has been a teacher at Caro Middle School for almost 30 years. Beinganeducator'sdaughter,Ispentlots of time in my mom's classroom helping her with various things over the years. Thiswasamajor factorininspiringmeto be a teacher. Additionally, I found a love for helping my classmates throughout middle and high school."

From these experiences, Hessling attended Saginaw Valley State University to become a certified teacher. The education journey led her to Bad Axe Schools long before taking the full-time job at the school.

"I began substitute teaching there late in 2021," she said. "I found a great appreciation for the school district, its staff, and its students during this phase of working toward being a certified teacher."

Hessling, a Caro graduate, also observed Bad Axe teacher Deanna Sutherland's classroom in Fall 2024, to gain further experience.

"Asthatsemestercametoaclose,Iwas offered a position substitute teaching for the district each day wherever I was needed," she said. "This led into being offered a teaching position at Bad Axe in math starting this school year."

From her family experiences in education, Hessling felt that teaching was and is a passion of hers. It helps her feel fulfilled.

"Althoughteachingisnotanareawhere

the salary may be the highest, teaching is a career that can feel so rewarding in non-material ways," she said. "When I notice a student struggling or lacking confidence in their academic abilities, then turn around and understand a lesson or feel confident in themselves with a challenging skill, it makes me feel like I'm making a difference in their day, even if it's just a minor part of it."

"Some students, I may only have for a year or two," she added. "In the bigger picture of their lives, that usually is just a small snippet of time. If I can bring even the slightest bit of joy, knowledge, comfort, connection, or confidence into their lives, I feel as though I'm doing something right with my life."

Hessling noted that many students go through a lot of unfortunate experiences outside the classroom, yet still show up every day to take on what challenges they may face in the classroom. That inspires her to keep showing up for them.

"The courage and strength that some of these students display is incredibly motivating," she said. "Seeing them giving their all while there are so many other parts of their lives to think about, makes me want to give them my all."

Hessling also hopes the students are inspired by her, and hopes she continues to make a positive impact on them.

"I recently spoke with a student from one of my geometry classes about how the semester has gone for her in my class,"shesaid."She'saverydetermined, involved, and hard-working student, and she made a comment that really stood out to me.

"She told me that even on days she was struggling, whether in my class, another class,orwithherfriends,whateveritwas, that because of conversations I have had with her, I made her feel like whatever the challenge was that she could manage itandovercomeit.Thatsimplestatement really meant a lot to me."

Ona Warchuk helping Caseville Public School students succeed

Hessling's advice to fellow teachers and students is to get comfortable in working hard in all that you do. Effort goes a long way.

"While this is easier said than done, we are human too, and we need to listen to what our minds and bodies need," she

said. "Your career is not meant to be the

nition of who you are. If your mind or body need a break, take that break. Whatever you need to do, isn't going anywhere, but your approach to it may be way different if you are at your true 100% versus at your 40%."

Ona Warchuk, student services coordinator at Caseville Public School, said kids only get one shot at an education.

“It’s up to educators to do whatever they can for students to provide them with the tools to succeed in school and eventually in life,” she said.

Warchuk has been with the school for 16 years, starting in a part-time role in special education. A native of Bad Axe and graduate of Bad Axe High School, she went off to college with the intention of becoming a teacher.

When she graduated and found teaching jobs difficult to come by, she earned additional accreditation in special education and began her career in Caseville.

Over the years, her role became full-time, and she began to take on other duties as well. She plays a big role in class scheduling, college visits, organizing the annual graduation ceremony and coordinates state and district testing. She still oversees Caseville’s special education program, too.

“It all pieced together,” she said.

Warchuk was also a driving force behind the creation of the school’s new Reading Center, which opened to K-8 students in January.

The Reading Center was built as part of the school’s 2023 bond project, and the room includes new bookshelves, tables, chairs and a circulation desk. The

new shelves contain some of the school library’s previous books, donated books, and brand-new books.

Warchuk’s love of Caseville Public School is apparent. She spoke highly of the building, including its auditorium and its custodial staff, saying they’re the best in Huron County.

She said the same about the school’s athletic facilities, including the new track that will host at least one meet this spring.

Warchuk also mentioned that the school owns all of its buses and their drivers are school employees, which is especially important for younger students.

One of the favorite parts of her job is that she has gotten to know students when they’re kindergartners and watched as they came full circle, picking up their diplomas during graduation. Former students now have children of their own attending Caseville.

“We are all here for each other,” she said. “We’re truly one big family.”

That family had this to say about Warchuk in a social media post on Feb. 2 in observance of School Counselor Appreciation Week: “We are so grateful for Mrs. Warchuck, who goes above and beyond every day to support our students’ academic, social, and emotional growth. With a kind heart, a listening ear, and endless dedication, Mrs. Warchuck helps students tackle challenges, discover their strengths, and believe in themselves. Thank you, Mrs. Warchuck, for being such a bright spot in our school and for all that you do!”

From kitchen to checkbook: Harbor Beach teacher brings real-life skills to class

While many students graduate without knowing how to cook, manage money or file taxes, one Harbor Beach teacher is making sure her students leave prepared for real life.

After decades as an art educator, Michelle McIntyre has found fresh energy in teaching Creative Studies: Life Skills, a course designed to help students develop practical skills they can carry into adulthood alongside creative expression.

McIntyre was born and raised in Port Austin, where she still resides. She earned her undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University and later obtained her master’s degree from Central Michigan University.

Outside the classroom, she enjoys baking, cooking, painting and traveling with her family. Some of her favorite destinations include Vietnam, Thailand, Venice and Sedona, Arizona.

McIntyre has three adult children — Bryce, Drew and Paige — all of whom were her students at different points during her teaching career.

Although she has taught art throughout her career, McIntyre said her children, after entering young adulthood, wished they had been students in her current class to learn basic life skills.

Before joining Harbor Beach Community Schools four years ago, McIntyre spent 32 years teaching art at Bad Axe Public Schools.

“I always enjoyed art and to be able to share it while seeing students express themselves is what got me into teaching,” McIntyre said. “So many students find my class as their hour to get away and escape into their own world, while doing art. It’s rewarding to see students create something, and be thrilled and amazed at how well they did it. They don’t realize how talented they are, so I just give them a few tips and let them see how well they can do.”

After teaching at Bad Axe for three decades, McIntyre retired and initially believed her career in education had come to an end.

She later returned to Bad Axe part time for two years before accepting a position at Harbor Beach Community Schools. She began just short of full time and eventually returned to full-time teaching.

McIntyre currently teaches high school and elementary art, along with Creative Studies: Life Skills for high school students.

While she continues to teach art, McIntyre said her renewed enthusiasm comes from Creative Studies: Life Skills. The course existed before her arrival at Harbor Beach, but she has reshaped it into a hands-on learning experience focused on practical skills students can apply throughout their lives.

In the class, students learn everyday skills in creative ways, including how to stretch food budgets, prepare homemade meals and understand basic financial

concepts.

“I try to teach the students things they’ll need for real life,” McIntyre said. “We do units on taxes, insurance, banking, credit, cooking, and baking.”

The life skills class is a one-year course available beginning in students’ sophomore year. McIntyre said several students have chosen to take the class more than once.

As part of the course, students completed a repurposing project in which community members donated furniture. Using basic household tools, students refinished the items and turned discarded pieces into usable furniture.

“It’s surprising what students don’t know, as far as being in a kitchen,” McIntyre said. “Parents and single parents are working and have a lot on their plate. Every year, I add to the program as I develop based on what my students know, after speaking with them.”

The class held a silent auction and sold all the refurbished items, with proceeds reinvested into the program to support future projects.

Students have also participated in canning projects, made jams and are currently partnering with Harbor Beach United Methodist Church to prepare soup for the community on a monthly basis.

Additional community activities have included chili cook-offs and scarecrow decorating contests.

McIntyre said she hopes students carry the lessons from her class into adulthood.

“I hope they’re better prepared adults, who are competent and confident in their choices, at least being introduced to several things they may encounter in life,” McIntyre said.

She said school administrators have been supportive of the Creative Studies program and her efforts to continue developing it.

McIntyre joked that the program has renewed her passion for teaching.

“I absolutely love it here. This is a great school and community, and the kids are fabulous. The running joke we always say here is ‘four more years,’” McIntyre said. “When I started, they said, ‘You’ll be here about four years, right?’ and now I’ve passed that. So, every year we say, ‘four more years, right?’ and I don’t see why not.”

She said she would like to see other schools establish similar programs, noting that students are eager to learn practical skills.

“I was nervous about changing districts, but change is good,” McIntyre said. “I love teaching and this class has made me fresh and new again. It is important to teach students basic skills, whether it’s cooking, finance, or whatever is needed.”

For McIntyre, the goal isn’t just to teach a class — it’s to give students the confidence and skills they’ll need long after they leave her classroom, whether that means cooking a meal, managing

or navigating adulthood with

dence.

Laker Robotics teacher

Je Diebel inspires future engineers

Laker Robotics has made their name well-known in the Thumb and across the state of Michigan. From great finishes in local and state competitions, to competing on the national level, they have seen many successes since the team's inception in 2022-2023.

One of the people behind it is mechatronics teacher Jeff Diebel. In his seventh year teaching at Laker, he has taken some of the lessons he's learned from the industry, and passed them on to students.

"To me, teaching means giving students opportunities that if they didn’t have access to these facilities or people, they wouldn’t have," Diebel said. "It also means presenting students with opportunities."

"Mr. Diebel is the driving force behind our FIRST Robotics team," Laker Superintendent Jill VerBurg added. "Through his mechatronics and computer science courses, he uses hands-on, projectbased learning to engage students, and that same energy carries directly into the success of our robotics program."

Mechanical design and programming have always been interests of Diebel's. At one time, he considered being a math teacher.

"I was always interested in mechanical design, programming and things like that," he said. "Laker was interested in putting together a robotics/mechatronics program.Someonerememberedtheirtime (at Laker) with me, and they contacted me.

I was more than happy to jump on board."

A lot of the lessons Diebel passes on to students were lessons he had to learn himself.

"(Laker) really didn’t have (a mechatronics/robotics program) when I was in school," he said. "The industry has become more advanced since I was in school. The students here can get into mechanical engineering on a high level. They can design things and make things functional, whether that’s PLC programming or computer programming. There’s a lot of opportunities to use real-

world skills that they otherwise wouldn’t have due to robotics."

"In robotics, there’s (also) a lot of math with engineering and automation," he added. "When you get into computer coding, a lot of the math you may have thought only existed in a textbook comes into real life. It’s amazing how much you can use some of that stuff. I wasn’t aware myself until I dug deeper into that."

Diebel's experience at Laker has helped him refine his own skills on engineering and fabrication processes. Laker has also helped him get access to laser cutting and 3D printing.

"I’ve been able to dive in with the students and incorporate those (skills) well," he said. "We’re utilizing that equipment to the best of our ability. I also learn about students, how they learn and what makes them tick. As well as the way you approach things with them."

"Every group you get is completely different," he added. "Every group provides a different challenge."

Through his experiences at Laker, Diebel credits his students with helping him become a better teacher and robotics coach. He also hopes his students see him as a positive role model.

"The (students are) getting a lot out of it," he said. "The better job I do and more I get to them, the more they learn. It’s inspiring to see students go into computer science and engineering fields. That pushes me to work harder, so they get more out of it."

"I hope (the students) pick up some of my drive," he added. "I didn’t get to the place I got to through conventional means. I failed on some projects, which I share with the students. I hope problem solving goes a long way. Often times, you can figure out things with perseverance. I hope that rubs off on my students. We put in a lot of time."

Diebel's advice to students and fellow teachers is to continue to work hard and persevere at what you do.

"Think critically when problems arise," he said. "Complicated problems can have simple steps to solve. That’s something I’ve learned through this endeavor."

Ubly graduate returns as school mental health counselor for all ages

When Carley Walker walks the halls of Ubly Community Schools, she does so not only as a mental health counselor but as someone who once sat in the same classrooms. A Huron County native who grew up in Ruth and graduated from Ubly, Walker returned home in 2022 to provide something she never had as a student — dedicated mental health support inside the school walls.

Walker is a licensed social worker and the mental health counselor for Ubly Community Schools’ Student Health Center. In this position, Walker teaches students a range of coping skills to help make anxiety, depression or other mental health issues more manageable.

Ubly’s Student Health Center was established through a grant from the Michigan Department of Education and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Services are provided at Ubly Community Schools. Walker is available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to assist students with their needs.

To reach this role, Walker earned her bachelor’s degree from Saginaw Valley State University before receiving her master’s degree in social work in 2015 through Michigan State University’s program at SVSU.

After leaving school, Walker worked as a licensed social worker before returning to Ubly in March 2022, something she had dreamed of doing since childhood.

“I always wanted to do something here in Ubly,” Walker said. “When I was in school, we just had a guidance counselor. We didn’t have a therapist or social worker in the school, so I always thought having something like that in the school would be amazing.”

She added that her interest in the field stemmed from her natural ability to listen.

“I love listening to people,” she said. “I love trying to help people feel better even if it is just sitting and listening, so I think that’s what drew me to the profession in general.”

among older students in middle and high school.

Although many of her students face similar mental struggles, Walker said one of the biggest differences she sees in older students is how they cope on their own.

“As they get older, they learn different skills to use,” she said. “Yes, they may still struggle with anxiety or stress, but as they get older the goal is to learn the skills to cope on their own so they need me a little less.”

Still, one constant remains across all age groups: stress.

In recent years, those stressors have increasingly come from the digital world.

According to Walker, cell phones and social media play a major role in contributing to anxiety and depression among students.

“I’d say life is a lot different now from when I was a kid because you have social media and cell phones in school,” Walker said. “It plays such a big part in anxiety and depression. Teens are looking at their phones to see how many likes they got. And they’re not all like that — I know some of them love to read and love the quietness of life — but it’s not as common.”

While social media can amplify stress behind a screen, Walker believes Ubly’s tight-knit community offers real-world support students can lean on.

“Since it’s a smaller community, we do have such strong support,” she said. “If something happens to one of the kids, the community rallies together to try to make sure the kid is okay. Kids know they’re loved around here and that they have support from someone whether it’s a teacher, a parent or a boss.”

Walker’s advice to students considering mental health support is simple: Be open and honest about how you are feeling.

“If you’re struggling, find someone — a family member, a teacher, a staff member,” she said. “Then you just have to be willing to work on you and realize that you’re enough and you’re worth working toward.”

Walker’s three daughters also attend Ubly Community Schools, allowing her to volunteer in their classrooms.

As Ubly’s mental health counselor, Walker works with students in every grade and can continue seeing them until age 21. Her youngest students come from the Young Fives program, an in-between step for 5-year-olds who are not yet ready for kindergarten. This range allows her to support students through many different developmental and emotional stages.

The most common mental health issues Walker reported helping students manage are stress, anxiety and self-doubt. Depression, she said, is more prevalent

She said creating that support begins with ongoing conversations that extend beyond the school setting. Although that stigma is beginning to change, Walker still encourages parents to start an open dialogue with their children about mental health, even if there are no obvious concerns.

“We need to have more conversations about mental health,” Walker said. “It’s important to have those conversations with kids even if parents don’t think their child is struggling — just having those check-ins to make sure they know they can come to you about tough situations and conversations.”

In the end, Walker said she wants students to feel less stressed — and more prepared and confident — as they move into adulthood.

Bad Axe pediatrician Kathleen Rochefort urges kids to get active

Bad Axe native returns as nurse practitioner to serve Huron County families

Dr. Kathleen Rochefort is a pediatrician who cares for patients at Bad Axe Family Healthcare in Bad Axe.

She said the biggest health challenge facing her young patients is the threat posed by leading a sedentary lifestyle and the unhealthy food options that surround kids today.

Rochefort knows the pull of TV, tablet and smartphone screens is strong, and winter makes it difficult sometimes to go outside and play, but children are suffering from diseases like obesity, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes since the concept of “screen time” became commonplace.

These types of disorders were once unheard of in children. Factor in the aspects of living in a rural area, and some kids find themselves facing an uphill battle.

“The typical American diet is set up for that,” she said. “It’s really important for us in primary care to (focus on) preventative medicine to guide people to a healthier lifestyle.”

That’s why it’s more important than ever for kids to get and stay active. She has worked to share her love for running as an assistant coach for the Bad Axe Middle School cross country team. Her husband, Nick, is the coach and also serves on the Bad Axe City Council.

Kathleen and Nick both have a passion for running, but currently they settle for taking their 10-month-old baby out for a walk when they can, along with the family

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dog. She chose her field of specialty after working with pediatric patients during her residency and having a lifelong love of children. She said it’s especially rewarding to watch her patients grow and to guide them through any health challenges they face.

“I just really love kids,” she said.

Rochefort has almost a decade of experience in pediatrics. She offers a range of services, including wellness exams, sports physicals, sick visits, ADHD evaluations, immunizations and more. The clinic also offers lab and X-ray services as well as Rapid Care.

She is also a pediatric nephrologist and works two days a month in Saginaw at the Central Michigan University pediatric nephrology clinic.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in neuroscience from the College of William and Mary in Virginia, followed by a master’s degree in clinical epidemiology from the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. She completed her medical degree at Eastern Virginia Medical School and pursued a pediatrics residency at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida.

In addition, she completed a Pediatric Nephrology Fellowship at Johns Hopkins, equipping her with specialized knowledge in kidney diseases. Rochefort holds board certifications in general pediatrics, pediatricnephrologyandobesitymedicine.

Rochefort is currently accepting new patients, from newborns to age 21. She sees patients Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 989-9126575 to make an appointment.

Teachers & Healers

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visit," she said. "I really like to take the time necessary to help somebody through a difficult time."

In a small community where access to health care specialties can be limited, having a trusted provider who can handle it all makes all the difference. For Bad Axe native Tracie Henline, returning home as a certified family nurse practitioner wasn’t just a career decision — it was a commitment to serve the people who need it most.

Henline is in her sixth year as a nurse practitioner, about half that time spent serving Huron County residents. For the majority of her career, Henline has worked for McLaren Health Care in some capacity. Presently, she works at McLaren Thumb Region, specializing in family medicine.

One of the aspects of her job she enjoys most is being able to provide much-needed care for community members throughout all stages of life.

"Living in a smaller community where you don't have access to all the specialties, it's nice to be a family practice provider where I'll see newborns all the way to the elderly," Henline said. "It's nice to be a voice for them to help manage their health care and better treat whatever problems they have going on."

A key part of that duty, according to Henline, is ensuring her patients are properly informed about their health.

"Education is such a key point of an office visit, whether it's educating about medication, high blood pressure, diabetes, or just teaching a patient how to manage their diagnoses at home," she said. "It's also important to teach them about prevention, like getting their mammogram screenings or colonoscopies. These are all things that help prevent disease problems in the future."

More than anything, though, Henline wants her patients to feel seen and heard when they leave her office.

"I want them to feel like it's a personal experience and not just an in-and-out

Although in a dream position now, Henline explained she was unsure at first which direction to take her medical career.

"I decided to go into nursing when I was probably about 20," Henline said. "I always wanted to be in health care but didn't know in what aspect."

Henline first received her LPN license from St. Clair Community College before starting work as an LPN at what was originally called the Huron Medical Center. Not stopping there, Henline returned to school to obtain her RN license and then a master’s degree.

Once complete, Henline began working at McLaren’s Convenient Care Clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic, which she described as "very trying."

"So I left McLaren Thumb and worked for different McLaren emergency rooms, like Flint, Lapeer and Bay City," Henline said. "I enjoyed that, it was really rewarding and educational for me, but then my family started requiring more of me because I was gone for long stretches of time."

As a mother of four boys, Henline said her 14- to 15-hour days, including commute time, became unmanageable, prompting her to return.

"So I came back to the area and I really wanted to serve the local community, so primary care through McLaren seemed like the right choice," Henline said.

When asked what sets McLaren Thumb Region apart from anywhere else, Henline said it is how heard and validated patients feel.

"To me, I feel that the patient is kind of like our voice," she said. "They'll give you feedback and I feel that McLaren really listens to them."

Furthermore, Henline added that all McLaren employees share the same goal of providing the best care and facilities to the community.

USA band program grows through focus on relationships and community support

JHYRAH DELAPP STAFF WRITER

For a band that regularly performs to standing-room-only crowds, the Unionville-Sebewaing Area Schools band has learned how to fill seats — and stages — far beyond its auditorium.

USA Senior and Junior High School band director Aaron Aikens has led the school’s band to perform in front of crowds numbering in the tens of thousands and to earn top ratings at state festivals. At the heart of the band’s success, Aaron said, is a culture centered on relationships and playing for one another.

“I had a mentor that told me, ‘If you take care of the kids, the kids will take care of the music’, and that has been my philosophy since I started teaching,” Aaron said. “That starts by making sure that I have a good relationship with students from day one in sixth grade, when they’re learning the fundamentals, and all the way until they graduate.”

Aaron said his favorite part of teaching is building relationships strong enough that former students return to share updates about their lives and accomplishments.

Aaron was born in Saginaw and grew up in nearby Bay City before moving to Lapeer, where he attended high school.

His mother was a musician, and when he had the opportunity to join band in sixth grade, she encouraged him to pursue it. Although music came naturally to him, Aaron said it was not until high school that he realized it could become a career.

“I played football and threw shot put and discus in high school. However, I tore my ACL, which ended my football career,” Aaron said. “I was still able to do marching

band, so music was a way for me to still get onto the football field. I realized I still had a skill that could continue to grow and turn into a career. I put time into it and I excelled; it turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made.”

After graduating from high school, Aaron attended Saginaw Valley State University, where he met his wife, Katelyn, while both were members of the university’s marching band.

The couple have been married since 2012 and have two children, Carson and Laney. Carson is a fourth grader, and Laney is a first grader. Katelyn is the USA Schools elementary music teacher.

Aaron plays the euphonium, an instrument often described as a smaller version of a tuba.

Outside the classroom, Aaron said he enjoys spending time with his family, watching his son’s sporting events and his daughter’s dance recitals. He also enjoys playing video games and has recently begun exploring competitive barbecuing.

He said barbecuing is something he always enjoyed doing with his father and has discussed forming a team with a friend who is a certified barbecue judge.

Aaron began his teaching career in Benton Harbor, where he taught for one year. He is now in his 14th year of teaching, with the past 13 spent at USA Schools, where he teaches students in grades six through 12.

“The kids come to me in sixth grade not knowing what they’re going to play. Then, they make these awful sounds on it for a few weeks, and by the time they leave they’re pretty accomplished musicians,” Aaron said. “I’ve had kids go play in college, but I remember them as those scared little sixth graders, coming to me for the first time in middle school. Watching them go

do cool things is one of my favorite parts.”

USA Schools band concerts now draw such strong attendance that each grade level performs at separate concerts to accommodate the crowds. Even after clearing the auditorium between performances, Aaron said some audience members still stand in the lobby.

He said the foundation of that support begins in the classroom.

A culture has developed in which students, regardless of background or outside activities, spend their 70-minute class periods working toward a shared goal of success. Aaron said that culture has extended beyond the classroom and into the community.

“We’re at parades and sporting events, and those aren’t typically the people that will come to our concerts,” Aaron said. “So, if they’re going to listen to us and we’re leaving a good impression on them, at community events, the support will come back.”

Under Aaron’s leadership, the USA

band has earned multiple highprofile performance opportunities and consistently received top ratings at district and state festivals.

Notable accomplishments include:

• Performing the national anthem in front of approximately 40,000 fans at a Detroit Tigers game in August 2025

• Being one of five high school bands statewide selected to perform at the Michigan Music Conference in 2024

• Performing at major venues, including DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids

Later this month, USA Schools will host a district band festival.

Qualification for the state band festival in April will depend on ratings earned at the district level.

“We’ve been fortunate to have a super supportive administration and community,” Aaron said. “The big thing for the students is all the cool opportunities that playing music has given them to do together, more so than the accomplishments itself.”