Meet Our Literature Team

Email = First Initial + Last Name @ wihi.org

Kyrsten Persells

World Literature, American Literature,
IB Literature 2, and Enrichment Coordinator

I studied at the University of Michigan, where I got my BA in secondary education with a major in English and a minor in Earth/space science.  I have worn many hats at WIHI, including Head Graduate Assistant, Admissions and Enrollment Coordinator, and Enrichment Coordinator.  In every course I teach, I try to inspire my students to be open-minded and caring.  I feel blessed to be working in such a collaborative and student-centered environment!

Alison Rieth

American Literature and
IB Literature

I earned my Bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and my Master's degree from the University of Colorado.  I have over 6 years of teaching experience from Southfield and Tecumseh, Michigan and Aurora, Colorado, where I served as an English teacher and literacy teacher.  I already know many of our students from my work with Wolverine Pathways. I am skilled in formative feedback strategies.

James Elish

American Lit, Communications and Global Politics​

I received my bachelors degree in history from Williams College and my masters in urban education from the University of Pennsylvania In the past, I was a teacher for three years at a project based learning school in Philadelphia. Teaching is actually my second career, in a past life I worked as a financial consultant in Chicago. I strongly believe that students will only learn when they feel recognized as complete people. My task, in the humanities, is to provide windows into alternate iterations of our shared human experience. When not at WIHI, I can be found playing soccer, cooking, reading a mystery, or helping my wife (a law student at UofM) study.

Leah Jansen

IB1 French, ATL, MYP Core

I received my B.A. in French Language and Literature, and my M.A. in Educational Studies from the University of Michigan. I previously taught French 1, 2, 3 and AP French at Father Gabriel Richard High School in Ann Arbor, MI. I aspire to visit France each summer, and have enjoyed working there in various capacities (resorts and language acquisition summer camps). I believe that education should teach people first, and topics second. I want to inspire, encourage, and improve both my students and myself. I am really looking forward to working at WIHI because of our shared dedication to equity, social justice, and helping to cultivate globally minded citizens. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, gardening and playing with my dog, Corduroy. I also love to dance, and teach barre and bootcamp classes!

Bethany Vonck

MYP Literature, Grades 6-8

I received my Bachelor's in Education degree from Michigan State and my Master's in Educational Leadership from the University of Illinois. Over the past 39 years I have taught every grade except kindergarten, from pre-school to adult/alternative education. I taught in East Lansing, Belleville, Lincoln, Willow Run, and Ypsilanti, Michigan. I also taught in Bakersfield, California. I have travelled extensively and I love to visit museums and interesting places while meeting new people. I learned the most from the new friends I met while exploring. Making new friends is a great way to see places that outsiders might miss or are not invited to see. I have many interesting stories to share with my students. Working at WIMA/WIHI is truly the dessert of my career. I love the IB student centered, inquiry based philosophy that enables me to learn and grow with my students. It brings me joy to help students recognize and celebrate their successes as they grow. I have been married for a very long time. I raised 4 children and I have 4 strong granddaughters. My children and grandchildren inspire me to be a better teacher. I try to be the kind of teacher that I would want each of them to have. 

Ari Bartolacci

PE Health, ATL Product Team, Communications

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!