March 2019, featuring................Kelly Mathey

Kelly Mathey, has been teaching special education for almost 27 years. Kelly started in an Elementary Resource room in Paw Paw where she taught for 3 years. She then took a job in Coloma and was there for 1 year. After her time in Coloma Kelly taught at the Lighthouse Education Center for 7 years then Benton Harbor for 3 years. Eventually making her way here, to St. Joseph Public Schools where she has settled in for 13 years. Kelly has two biological children: Ryan (24) and Kelsey (22). Kelly is married to, as she puts it, "the most amazing man in the whole world!" She also has a Bonus Son, Carson, who is in the 4th grade. Kelly loves her job and her life in general, stating, "I couldn't be happier, every day is a gift, and I am so very grateful." Thank you, Kelly, for your continued commitment to our staff and students, SJPS is proud to have you as part of our dynamic team. Please read below and get to know Kelly!

1. Favorite meme?   Life is 10% of what happens and 90% how you respond

2. What's your favorite movie?  The Notebook

3. Favorite song?   What If by Kane Brown

4. Favorite color?  Pink

5. Favorite book?  The Shack

6. Which has been the best phase of your life?  Right now!

7. Biggest fear? Being buried or burned alive

8. How would you like to be remembered? That I made you feel special

9. Best present you have ever received? A surprise trip to see my daughter in San Diego

10. Best present you have ever given? A surprise birthday trip for my husband to Key West with his best friends

11. Would you ever change your name, and if so, what would your new one be?  Kaylee

12. If you were a dinosaur, which one would you be? A plant eating one

13. Do you have a hobby?  Scuba diving

14. What do you consider is the most important trait in a person? Kindness

15. What's your favorite subject to teach? Reading

16. What's your favorite piece of clothing? Yoga pants

17. Favorite food? REALLY good sushi or Poke bowl

18. Water or soda? Water

19. Who are you in your group of friends? The Designated Driver - hahaha

20. Only child or surrounded by siblings? The oldest of 6

21. Flip flops or sneakers? Flip Flops!!

22. What's your favorite time of year?  Summer

23. Beach or pool?  Beach - on the Gulf of Mexico or the Caribbean

24. How do you see yourself in 10 years? Retired in the Destin, FL area

25. If you were president, what would be the first thing you would do?  Figure out a logical way to provide Healthcare for ALL (TAX the 1% big-time)

26. Three wishes?  My children to live long, healthy, happy lives.

To get paid to travel. To live a very long, happy, and healthy life, and die in my sleep next to my adorable hubby.

27. Junk or healthy food? Healthy

28. What's the best thing that has happened to you until this moment? Falling in love with my incredible husband.

February 2019, featuring...........Ryan Vree

Ryan Vree

Secondary Resource Room Teacher 

St. Joseph High School

Ryan Vree is a teacher for special education at St. Joesph High School. Ryan is originally from Jenison, Michigan.  He has lived in St. Joseph for 12 years and LOVES it.  This school year is Ryan's 13th year of teaching. He is currently in his 2nd year of teaching at St. Joseph High School.  He taught for 11 years at Bangor High School.  His wife, Megan, is also a teacher, teaching 2nd grade.  Ryan has 3 children:  Hayden 8, Liam 5 & Norah 2 and a dog name Charlie.  He from Western Michigan University...Go Broncos!  This is also Ryan's 13th season of coaching wrestling in both the Varsity and middle school levels. It is an absolute pleasure having Ryan as part our team at St. Joseph High School. Read below to get to know Ryan a little better!

1. What's your favorite movie?  Dumb and Dumber 

2. Favorite song?  “Plush,” Stone temple pilots

3. Favorite color?- blue

4. Favorite book? “Big Shot” by Chris Paul  

5. Which has been the best phase of your life? - I really enjoyed the freedoms of being college-aged  :)

9.  Biggest fear?-  that I won’t see a Detroit Lions  super bowl in my lifetime :(

10. How would you like to be remembered?  -  as a someone who smiled a lot and was a good listener.

11. Would you ever change your name, and if so, what would your new one be?- No!  My name is only 8 letters and people can usually pronounce it.  I’ll take it!

12. Do you have a hobby? - anytime I can get out and do physical activity outside, I am a happy person  

13. What do you consider is the most important trait in a person?- being a good listener 

14. What's your favorite subject to teach? math and PE  

15. What's your favorite piece of clothing? I probably have too many shoes and hats

16. Favorite food? Pot roast, mashed potatoes and mayonnaise salad (made by my mom)

17. Water or soda? Sparkling water (I drink 3-4 each day)

18. Who are you in your group of friends? The shortest guy

19. Only child or surrounded by siblings? Middle child of 3 boys  

20. Flip flops or sneakers? Flip flops

21. What's your favorite time of year?  I LOVE  the summer weather 

22. Beach or pool?  Pool 

23. How do you see yourself in 10 years?-  hopefully healthy and still doing what I enjoy doing  

24. If you were president, what would be the first thing you would do?  Start looking for a new job  

25. Junk or healthy food?  Healthy food with a chocolate chip cookie for desert 

26. What's the best thing that has happened to you until this moment? Each moment I added a new person to my family