Niles Community Schools announced this week that it has hired three new administrators – Tracy Hertsel, director of student support services; Ann Bingham, director of curriculum, instruction and assessment; and Melissa Troup, director of special education. Together, the three will help the district continue to align with the goals outlined in its Strategic Plan.

“We are excited to announce the hiring of three skilled leaders who are a true representation of where the district is headed – continuing to strengthen achievement for all students,” said Dr. Dan Applegate, superintendent of Niles Community Schools. “Tracy, Ann and Melissa bring with them a wealth of experience in each of their respective fields, and together will help us achieve the goals set forth in our strategic plan.”

Tracy Hertsel will be charged with helping students who require alternate options or support programs to reach their potential. For some students, that means education in a non-traditional setting, like the W-A-Y Niles Program, a virtual program that provides a personalized learning experience.

Hertsel will also focus on programs to support students with a history of misconduct and to keep them in school, including the Michigan Department of Education’s Restorative Justice and Positive Behavior Intervention Support initiatives. Hertsel was superintendent at Cassopolis Public Schools for five years and taught at various grade levels for 29 years.

Ann Bingham is determined to focus the district’s efforts surrounding professional learning communities, using research-based instructional strategies to ensure the efforts are an appropriate use of teachers’ time. Bingham, previously a mathematics consultant for Berrien County RESA, spent the last 15 years providing services to the 15 districts in the county. In addition to her continued support of the NCS’ mathematics curriculum, which is now in its third year of implementation, Bingham also assists each of the district’s other curriculum teams.

Melissa Troup has served as a teacher, assistant principal and teacher consultant at the district’s Southside School since 2005. Troup will support the approximately 600 students receiving special education from the district – including students from other districts throughout Berrien County. Troup believes the district’s continuum of special education services sets it apart from other districts in the state, and looks forward to continuing to build the program’s culture.

School leaders said the changes come at an opportune time, alongside developments in construction, curriculum and personnel, further building on its continued positive momentum.