Meet Our Support Team

Brian Nemerovski

Grades 11-12 Counselor

 Hello! I have been the primary counselor for grades 11 and 12 at WIHI since August 2014 and I am thrilled to be part of such a diverse and vibrant school community. I grew up in Ann Arbor and played ball in Ypsi as a kid - this is truly home for me. Since joining the WIHI community, I've focused on serving students and families in areas of college counseling - college application support, recommendation writing for our amazing seniors. Additionally, I have a passion for supporting students academically and in social/emotional areas, and I'm proud to be part of the WIHI team in developing programs like our Suicide Prevention lessons, Lunch Learning Lab, bullying prevention and more! Prior to the birth of my twin son and daughter in 2013, I was a counselor at Tecumseh High School for three years. THS is a 950-student comprehensive high school located 45 minutes southwest of Ypsi. I loved being there and am proud of the counseling program, but the opportunity to move home to WIHI is a dream come true. I also have extensive experience on the college side, having worked for six years as an admissions rep at EMU and volunteering with prospective students during my own undergrad time at Northwestern. When I'm not at school or caring for my twins, you can usually find me running in Ann Arbor, biking, cooking 30-minute meals or taking a nap!

Sharonda Chaney

Grades 9-10 Counselor

Hello, I am the Student Support Counselor, serving WIHI students in grade 9 and 10! I am originally from Flint, MI, born and raised. In 2016 I graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work. I graduated from the University of Michigan in December 2018 with a Master's Degree in Social Work, with School Social Work Certification, as well as a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership & Policy. 
After graduating from MSU, I joined City Year, an AmeriCorps Program, where I had the opportunity to help close student achievement gaps in a lower performing school in Milwaukee, WI. Through my experience as an AmeriCorps member I began to fully understand, and witness, the school to prison pipeline as well as the impact of educational disparities inside and outside of school on students, families and communities, which, ultimately, inspired me to become a change agent in schools to support all students. Through my many experiences, both personal and professional, I am passionate about advocating for and supporting youth. I truly believe that no matter the circumstance, any child can succeed as long as they have support.
My priorities are to use a strength-based, equitable approach to support students socially, emotionally, and academically while promoting mental health awareness & coping strategies as well as cultivating positive, caring relationships with students, families, and staff. 

Ari Bartolacci

Restorative Practices & Community Development Coordinator

I earned my degree from Eastern Michigan University. My past teaching experiences include teaching at the middle school, high school and college level. My mission is to support, motivate, inspire and encourage ALL students in a safe, welcoming and FUN learning environment. I love to play music, hockey and enjoy spending time with my family.

Tatiana Canyon

Social Worker

I am so happy to be a part of this awesome environment! I am from Detroit, Michigan born and raised but I have also lived in multiple cities around Michigan including Warren, Ypsilanti, Westland, and Wayne. I graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 2016 cum laude with a bachelor's degree in psychology and a double minor in criminology/criminal justice and human sexuality. I am currently in the Master's of Social Work program at EMU and am on track to graduate in April of 2019!
I recently married my college sweetheart on June 11th, 2017. We have traveled to multiple states as well as Mexico, Grand Cayman
Islands, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, and Niagara Falls. I have three years of social work experience and am now servicing WIHI and WIMA grades 6-12.  My professional values are based off of a systems theory perspective. I believe that a person’s actions and thought patterns are influenced by a variety of factors that work together as a system. My passion is to help correct missing or ineffective parts of that system in order to positively affect change. 

Mark Chapman

Teacher Consultant

I work at WIHI as a teacher consultant.  I provide assistance to students and teachers to help best support all!  I also make myself available to all students if they need someone to talk to or assistance with school work.  I love working with the extraordinary group of young individuals at WIHI!  I feel fortunate that I get to walk through WIHI's doors each day and count myself as a team member.  As far as my personal life, I am a happily married father of three children.  I hold two degrees, a Bachelor of Science from Eastern Michigan University and Master of Art from the University of Michigan.  I have been an educator for the past fourteen years and have taught multiple subjects and coordinated services for students with special needs.  

Deb Bargardi

Teacher Consultant & Restorative Practices Coordinator

Ms. Bargardi has been a caring, supportive and inclusive member of the WIMA/WIHI family since 2016. She takes pride in supporting all students through even the toughest challenges. As a Teacher Consultant and Restorative Practices coordinator, Ms. Bargardi coordinates 504 plans for middle and high school students, leadership groups, academic support and facilitates peer- and staff-led restorative justice initiatives. She is also a building and community leader for the Washtenaw Area Justice Leaders program. Prior to joining the WIMA/WIHI family, Ms. Bargardi served seven years as a teacher consultant for Ypsilanti Public Schools/Ypsilanti Community Schools. Outside of school, Ms. Bargardi loves to travel, explore local restaurants, and spend time with her husband and two grown children.

Dean Ray

 (They/Them/Theirs)
Grades 6-8 Counselor

I graduated from Eastern Michigan University with my Bachelors Degree in Social Studies, and also my Masters Degree in School Counseling. I have quite the supportive community surrounding me, including my partner, family, and friends. I am the proudest dog parent to my chihuahua mix Jaxie. I enjoy running, finding new and old ways to move that feel good, and creating spaces where folks feel seen, heard, and safe. My mission is to show sincerity, honesty, love and understanding in all my interactions, and to constantly cultivate kindness while creating an environment for lifelong learning and growth. I aim to create spaces where everyone at WIMA/WIHI can feel safe, seen, and heard, while empowering everyone in our community to be inquisitive and compassionate human beings.

WIHI Counseling Department Quick Links

College Counseling Blog
​Mental Health Resources
​Request for Financial Support for WIHI Student Opportunity