Meet Our Mathematics Team

Email = First initial + Last Name@wihi.org

Michael Gilmartin

Department Chair, Math III, and IB Mathematics Teacher

Mr. Gilmartin is a proud Vermonter who came to Michigan to study at the University of Michigan’s world-renowned Mathematics Department.  After graduating from the University of Michigan (Class of ’12) with dual B.S. Degrees in Pure Mathematics and Comparative Religious Studies, he immediately entered the University of Michigan’s Graduate School and earned a Master’s in Secondary Education with a specialty in Mathematics (Class of ’13).  Mr. Gilmartin teaches Math III (9/10th Grade), IB Math HL I (11th Grade) and IB Math Studies SL II (12th Grade).  Mr. Gilmartin is also the Faculty Advisor for Spirit Committee and Quiz Bowl.  An avid outdoors man Mr. Gilmartin runs WIHI's Backpacking Enrichment.

John Basler

Math SL II, Math Studies II, and Product Team Teacher

I just moved to Michigan from West Virginia in 2012 to be with my wife, a research scientist at the University of Michigan. I have a Master of Arts in Teaching from Eastern Michigan University, a Master of Science in Mathematics from West Virginia University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Grinnell College. Besides doing and teaching math, I enjoy writing and performing music, making art, cooking, playing nerdy board games, and using the Oxford comma. I'm very excited to work with the talented, motivated, and inquisitive students who attend WIHI, and am equally excited to work alongside a faculty who are dedicated, energetic, and brilliant.

Sara Gentry

DP Further Math Teacher

Mrs. Sara Gentry is a native Michigander and die-hard Michigan football fan who recently moved back to the Ann Arbor area. A Saline High School and University of Michigan graduate, Mrs. Gentry has experience teaching all levels of high school math through AP Calculus, and has worked in urban and suburban schools in Michigan, Colorado, North Carolina and Central New York. After 20 years in the classroom, she continues to learn more about teaching and about mathematics, and she is always looking for more math-related comics to incorporate into her lessons. In 2012, Ms. Gentry earned National Board Certification in Mathematics for Adolescence and Young Adulthood. She spends her free time reading, baking, and taking nature walks with her family. 

Dan Giddings

IB Coordinator and Lead Teacher

I am graduate of Michigan State University class of 2004 with a major in Mathematics, Curriculum and Teaching and a minor in Chemistry.  I helped start a small school on the west side of Chicago 7 years ago, and I love the challenges and excitement of being apart of the process again.  On a personal note, I am a Michigan native and grew up just west of Ann Arbor.  My wife, daughter Ruby (1yr) and I moved back to Michigan to come and teach at WIHI and to be closer to family.  I look forward to meeting new students as well as continue to grow and challenge my current ones.

Caitlin Donnelly

IB Mathematics Teacher

Ms. Donnelly is a Kalamazoo College graduate with two years of math teaching experience in Ypsilanti and has studied and lived in Aberdeen, United Kingdom.  She is committed to engaging students in real-life math connections and is student-centered, collaborative, and eager to be a part of our IB learning community.  

Eric Phelps

Math II and Physics Teacher

Born and raised in Ann Arbor, MI, I graduated from Albion College with a Bachelor of Arts in Pre-Engineering (Math/Physics), University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, and University of Southern California with a Masters in Teaching in Secondary Mathematics.  I spent three years at Albion trying to decide between engineering and teaching.  I went for the engineering degree, and while interesting, it showed me that I wanted to teach. 
I've worked a lot of teaching related job.  I worked as a camp counselor at day cares, tutored neighbors of all ages, peer tutored, worked as a math para pro, and as a graduate assistant here at WIHI.  I look forward to grow as a teacher as I guide your children to grow as students.

Tammy Church

Math 6, World Studies 6, Design Tech 7

I earned a full Merit Scholarship to Wayne State University, where I achieved my Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education, with a major in mathematics. I returned to Wayne State to earn my Masters in Education in curriculum, when I began teaching in Ypsilanti in 1995. My past teaching experiences have been in grades 3-8 in Ypsilanti. I began in Willow Run Community Schools, and continued when it merged with Ypsilanti Community Schools; and stayed with WIMA when Washtenaw Educational Options Consortium took leadership of the school. Some of my Education Points of Pride are: Learning First Technology Second The Educator’s Guide to Designing Authentic Lessons, by Liz Kolb, features my Road Trip Unit Plan (Case Study #8), I contributed to an article published in The Atlantic-Undercover Teachers or Imaginary Friends?, Michigan Design Challenge Award-Facilitator of Top Design Student (2019, 2018, 2017), Verizon Innovative Learning Best in State- Facilitator of Best in State App Challenge, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow- Facilitator of State Finalist, Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium Certification- Phase I and Phase II Authoring for the Smarter Balanced Assessment Items. I educate my students by creating a student-centered, inquiry based learning environment; and by facilitating a class culture that is conducive to learning for all. I thoroughly believe in holistically preparing our students for the global society in which we live. My daughter is the light of my life. We reside in Taylor and enjoy spending our time with family and friends.

Erika Gallay-MacGregor

Math 7-8, Science 8

I received my bachelors in mathematics at the University of Michigan and my masters at Eastern Michigan University. My past teaching experience includes mostly middle school math and science, 7th and 8th grade. I have also taught high school chemistry and statistics. I love working at WIMA because it is a small school where everyone is supportive of each other and works to grow together. I have two children, a son and a daughter and am married to a high school math teacher. My daughter is a sophomore in high school and my son just began his freshman year at the University of Michigan.​