Our Team
Galileo Consortium Executive Director: Jen Michos has served as a special education teacher, assistant principal, and principal for 25 years in the Novi Community School District. Jen received her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Hope College. She earned a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology, with an emphasis on Instructional Design and Technology from Michigan State University. In 1997, she received her Education Specialist degree in Leadership from Wayne State University. Jenifer was in the first cohort of Galileo in 1997. Since then, she has been an active Galileo alumni serving as a co- facilitator of the Leaders Leading Leaders
and a facilitator of the Galileo Teacher Leadership Consortium.
and a facilitator of the Galileo Teacher Leadership Consortium.
Galileo Consortium Facilitator: Meghan Ashkanani was a teacher in the Novi Community School District for 17 years before joining the Berkley family. She officially joined the Berkley family on July 1, 2017, as the Principal of Pattengill Elementary School. Meghan has been a teacher leader and trainer in many areas including 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and Cultures of Thinking. Additionally, she is also a facilitator with the prestigious Galileo Teacher Leadership Consortium. Meghan received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Western Michigan University. She earned a Master of Arts in Teaching in Reading as well as an Education Specialist degree in Leadership from Oakland University
Galileo Consortium Executive Facilitator: Jodi Balconi has been an Elementary Educator for over 28 years in Novi. In 2019 she was named Novi's Elementary teacher of the year. Jodi was in the first cohort of Galileo in 1997 and has been an active Galileo alumni as a member of the alumni board and most recently as a member of the Galileo facilitation team. She has also been an active teacher leader as a 7 Habits facilitator, 7 habits of highly effective families facilitator, cultures of thinking facilitator and new teacher mentor. Jodi received her Undergraduate teaching degree and early childhood endorsement from Central Michigan University and earned a masters degree in reading from Oakland University.
Galileo Academy Facilitator: Lisa Nemitz serves as the Academic Support Center Faculty at Oakland community College. She earned her undergraduate degree in education f rom Eastern Michigan University in 1992. Lisa taught Middle School in Illinois. In 1998, she earned her MA degree in Adult Education Developmental Studies rom National Louis University in Chicago, IL. She then began teaching in higher education as an adjunct in 1998. Lisa began her full time career in 2006.
"Alone we can do so little; Together we can do so much."
-Helen Keller
-Helen Keller
Friends of Galileo... Thank you for your continuous support.