Middle School Faculty

Colleen Carlson

Colleen joined our school in 2003 and currently serves as director of the Middle School program and is the elementary program director. She holds a B.A. in Education from University of Michigan and has Montessori training and teaching experience at levels EC, EL I-II and SEC I-II. Her teaching experience spans nineteen years and prior to coming to GLTW, she spent nine years growing the upper elementary program at Dearborn Heights Montessori Center, teaming with Sam Myers. Colleen brings a passionate commitment to progressive education and to the Go Like the Wind Middle School, which she founded in 2005. She enjoys her family, cooking, walking/hiking, reading and aspires to become a published writer.

John Churchville

Hello, I am John Churchville. I am the Music Director for GLTW and a teacher in the Middle School program. This is my third year with the school and I love the community atmosphere. I also enjoy the grounds on the 40-acre campus. I am proud to have overseen the production of the school’s third music CD titled Moving Up.

I received my bachelor’s degree from the California Institute of the Arts and my teaching certificate in Music (K to 12) from the University of Michigan, Flint. My hobbies include biking, golf, tennis, and swimming. In my off hours, I am a performer, private music instructor, and a concert promoter. You can learn more about my performances and recordings by going to my Web site at johnchurchville.com. I used to race BMX bikes on a national level until I broke my wrist. I was happy to see that BMX is now an Olympic sport. I used to race with some of the members of the U.S. team.

I am very excited because my wife is expecting our first child this November.

Ellen Gibson
Email: egibson@golikethewind.com

I joined the school in 1987, soon after it opened. For most of my time at the school, i was the Physical Education teacher. I handed off the P.E. baton to Christie Scott last year and now I am the assistant in the Middle School program. I have some other responsibilities with in the elementary classrooms in the afternoons. If you were to ask me what are my favorite things about GLTW, I would have to say it is the Christian environment and the school's commitment to the employees. My B.S. degree is from Northeastern University in Boston. I am originally from there, but I consider Ann Arbor to be my hometown.

My husband and I have five children, one son and four daughters. With my years of being a P.E. teacher, you can imagine that I would like activities like hiking and walking, and Boogie Boarding. I have done extensive backpacking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I have had the opportunity to travel to 4 of the 7 continents. I also enjoy the quieter hobbies of scrapbooking and reading.