our staff

Elaine has taught at Summers-Knoll since the fall of 2003. She has a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, and has been teaching for thirty years - ten of them at Summers-Knoll.

Elaine brings enormous understanding of young minds to her work. She engages the children through active experiences, fluidly offering learning opportunities that integrate whole body experiences, creative engagement, hands-on explorations and enthralling academics in a way that connects joyfully with the intellectual curiosity of each child.

Contact Elaine.

Chris joined the faculty of Summers-Knoll in the fall of 2011. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy and a Master's degree in Educational Studies.

Chris ia an old soul and a deeply thoughtful, sensitive teacher. He believes that education should strengthen the connection we have to the people, places and experiences that shaped us while fostering a desire in us to extend these boundaries and become the best versions of ourselves. Through investigations of the familiar and unfamiliar, Chris enables students to see their environment and themselves from a new perspective. He encourages them to take an active role in their surrounding communities, learning that their classroom extends beyond four walls and their teachers are many. Contact Chris. 

Tracy joined the Summers-Knoll faculty in the fall of 2011. She is not only a sensitive, imaginatve, insightful educator, she is also an amazing artist, dollmaker, children's author and illustrator. She is the author of the "Stone Crazy" series, as well as "A Room Full of Questions". Take a look at her web site and her artist's blog. She has a BFA degree and teaching certificate from EMU, and a MFA degree in painting from Syracuse University where she was a teaching assistant.  She also taught art at North Shore Country Day School in the Chicago area, and at Sunshine Preschool in Ann Arbor. Tracy has worked with children all over the county, conducting workshops and sharing her gorgeous books through presentations.  Recently she worked with children in Charlottesville, VA, where a child told her that she had opened a door in his brain he never knew was there. She brings that same delicate, inspiring touch to our students here at Summers-Knoll on a daily basis.  Contact Tracy.  

Dr. George joined the faculty of Summers-Knoll in the fall of 2011. He holds a PhD in Analytical Chemistry, did post-doctoral work at the University of Michigan and was a Research Faculty member in the Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Physics Department also at the University of Michigan.  He has worked at the Center for Environmental Policy Economics and Science where he studied the socio-economic impacts of climate change on the Great Lakes Region.  Dr. George has also worked with the Union of Concerned Scientists and gone to Capitol Hill several times to discuss climate change and climate change science. His teaching experience before Summers-Knoll incorporated his own summer camp, Rocks and Robots, and extensive work providing science exploration and instruction to homeschool co-ops all over southeast Michigan. 

Dr. George's passion for bringing experiences of informed exploration to his students is palpable. His teaching groups are a hive of "what if?" ideas and "let's try it and find out" activities. Topics draw on theme work and extensively from children's interests and curiosity. How can we make astrogel? How does a dinosaur skeleton go together? What does vacuum packing entail? How can we do it? What happens if you attach a camera to a helium balloon? The natural fascination of the children is mirrored in Dr. George's infinite delight in exploring anew. Contact George. 

Karl joined us in the fall of 2012, taking on our brand new middle school grades. Karl’s PhD in Educational Foundations and Policy is from the University of Michigan, and he has been teaching, in one form or another, since 1989. to  was born in Oceana County, Michigan, the Asparagus Capital of the World. Karl’s wife, Abby Humphrey, is an acupuncturist and a bellydancer and together they have three daughters.  Karl graduated from King School, Greenhills School, Wesleyan University and from the University of Michigan in 2001 and 2005. Karl’s doctorate from U of M is in Educational Foundations and Policy.

Like most natives of Ann Arbor, he grew up in a hypereducated family: his parents and two sisters seven university degrees between them, five from Michigan. Karl has been teaching, in one form or another, since 1989. His youngest student, Sophie, was two years old; his oldest, Mike, was fifty-five. Karl has taught in New England, California, Colorado, Kenya, and an assortment of other locales. He has also served as an administrator, including three years as a Head of School. He has taught history, theater, soccer, literature, education, psychology, and Defense Against the Dark Arts. 

Lettie joined the Summers-Knoll staff in the fall of 2012. She is an Ann Arbor native, born and raised, and is a graduate of Greenhills School. Lettie has a B.A. from Lake Forest College in Illinois in Sociology & Anthropology and has extensive experience in both college and independent school admissions.  

Adam Riccinto joined the Summers Knoll staff in the fall of 2012.  He is the founder and music director of the Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra and has 10 years of experience teaching strings and vocal music in a school setting.  Adam received a Bachelors degree in Music Education from Eastern Michigan University and is an active conductor and performer throughout the country. He teaches music to all students and leads the extra-curricular choir program.

Adam’s passion for his work is manifest in every muscle as he works with the kids on activities from drum circles to analyzing the similarities between metallica and Bach.