Sandra is a lifelong lover of the arts and exploring creativity. From a young age, her love for Art has grown from inspiration and instruction from her artist mother. Always exploring and learning various art techniques, Sandra’s real love comes from sharing her passion and knowledge of art with others; encouraging and helping others explore their creativity and garner courage to bring their ideas to life. With a combination of advanced art classes, seminars, workshops, and independent study, Sandra has gained and continues learning to grow her artistic abilities to educate and guide all ages in artistic endeavors.

Sandra Barnes

Erin is a graduate of the University of California-San Diego (UCSD). She earned her B.A. International Studies-Political Science, with a Russian language proficiency and a Middle Eastern regional focus. Erin grew up traveling the world, her first job being a Public Diplomacy position at the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. She enjoys giving back to the community, having helped build houses with Gawad Kalinga in the Philippines, as well as having spearheaded several philanthropic events during her time at UCSD. Erin moved to Michigan in 2018 with her four cats and has been with Quo Vadis since!

Erin Birmingham

Stacie Booth

Stacie is a 4th Degree Black Belt and a certified instructor of the American Taekwondo Association (ATA). She has worked as a residential treatment specialist in a group home and has coached boys and girls in soccer and basketball. Stacie has experience teaching language arts in both Junior High and High School for 6 years. She also has experience teaching special education students. While being a certified Taekwondo instructor for five years, Stacie has 17 years of training in this martial art form and has recently opened her own facility, Pro ATA Martial Arts.  She believes Taekwondo is an effective way to improve fitness and learn self-defense while forming strong life skills and character traits like: Respect, Courtesy, Self-Control, Integrity, Honor, Perseverance, Attitude and Goal Setting. 

Courtney is a native Michigander, a wife and mother of two. She is a graduate of Alabama A & M University, where she obtained both a Bachelor and Master degree of Science. From an early age she has always known that science was her passion. She has more than 15 years experience teaching general sciences. Throughout the years she has volunteered as a youth mentor at community centers, served as a Girl Scout Troop leader and as a class lead for children’s church. In her leisure time she loves reading, running, and music.

Courtney Collins

Connor Edwards

Connor is a graduate of the University of California-San Diego. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, with a minor in Global Health. Connor has held two academic internships, the first being for the City Council of Sacramento, and the second with the Consortium of Universities for Global Health based in Washington, D.C. He hopes to someday work in public office, and make a lasting difference in political service. Connor's proudest achievement is his earned status as an Eagle Scout, and he strives to live by and uphold the morals and leadership qualities he learned in scouting. In his spare time, Connor loves to read, critique films, and play saxophone. He has always had a passion for puzzles and making rules, so be sure to check out his Brain Games: Escape Room class!

Catherine received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Oakland University in 1983. In 1987 she went on to receive her Masters in Reading from Michigan State University. She has been an educator for over 30 years. Catherine has experience leading summer camp programs and library classes. In 2016, Catherine branched out as an entrepreneur. She began, TechKnowKids and focuses on being creative and enthusiastic while helping students to learn in an environment that meets both their academic and emotional needs.

Catherine Foster

Owner of TechKnowKids

Jennifer is a mother of 9 children who has homeschooled for the past 13 years. She enjoys working with young people and has had leadership positions for the past 9 years in American Heritage Girls. Jennifer's passion is History. Jennifer has been teaching history in a class setting for the past 7 years.  Helping people to understand the relevance of history and what life was like “back then” is her main goal. She will use any means of getting that knowledge to her students, whether that means showing up in character or playing period games with her students, she has done it all.

Jennifer Freeman

Rudy is a true Tex-Mex, born in Texas, fluent in Spanish, he was raised in EL Paso Texas. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy straight out of high school in 1979. Rudy retired from the Navy in 2002. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Management Degree in 2004. Rudy has been working in Facilities Maintenance positions from 2003 to the present time with Quo Vadis. Rudy always says if it is broken he will fix it, if it is dirty he will clean it and make it stink good. He is married and has three sons and three daughters.

Rudy Grado

Amina Habib

Amina received her B.S. from Northern Illinois University. She has an endorsement in Language Arts and minored in Spanish. She has held teaching certifications in both Illinois and Michigan for grades K-9th. Before teaching at Quo Vadis, Amina taught in both the Illinois Public School system and Rochester Public Schools. Amina leads our PreK/K program and challenges each student to be the best they can be. She is married with 2 children and has a dog named Cali. She enjoys traveling and inspiring those around her, "I love creating that special spark in a child that enables them to become lifelong learners."

Jennifer Kowalski

Jennifer is a senior at Oakland University working toward a Bachelor's degree in Integrative Studies with a minor in Criminal Justice, English, and Human Resources Development. She plans to seek employment as a project manager/event planner. Jennifer has been playing piano for 14 years and taking some form of music education for 14 years. She also plays bass guitar and ukulele. She currently works as a piano accompanist for the Catholic Church. She enjoys anything music-related and knows way too many weird facts about old songs. Jennifer has been in the Civil Air Patrol for 8 years and currently serves as Cadet Commander of her squadron. In her free time, she likes to travel (especially to see her Goddaughter, Ellie), watch old movies, camp, and play board games. 

Gail is a certified math teacher and has been teaching for over 25 years in both Catholic and public schools. She has a strong passion for teaching, especially math. She tries to make the class fun and real so students see the true value of mathematics. Gail believes that students do better when there is a strong relationship between the teacher, student, and parents. Her favorite pastimes are traveling, tennis, skiing, kayaking, and home remodeling. She feels very blessed to part of QV team!

Gail Kozyra

Paula is a graduate of the College for Creative Studies and also the Art Institute of Pittsburg. She has been working in the special effects industry for over 15 years. Paula has been working with Alex Thomas and Friends for the past seven years also teaching stop-motion animation and puppeteering. Paula enjoys fishing with her husband Dennis, nature, and animals.

Paula Kulcher

Becky graduated High School with over a 4.0 average. She is highly motivated and currently enrolled as a Pre-Med student at Oakland University. Rebecca loves to challenge herself and brings that drive and focus into her classrooms. She loves science, and hopes to one day become a Medical Doctor, with a focus in Oncology. She enjoys teaching science to children in a way they can understand and with a passion for helping them to see the beauty of it!

Rebecca Milan

Katie received her Bachelors of Science from Baker College with a major in Language Arts and a minor in History. She loves to read, and to share that love with her students, she keeps a large collection of books onsite for them to enjoy! Her non-teaching life includes spending time with her wonderful husband and fulfilling her creative side by crafting and seeking out the latest treasure to be found at an antique or thrift store. Katie loves participating in craft fairs and selling her finds and creations on Etsy, but her true passion is helping her students to make connections across subjects and build their skills as thinkers.

Katherine Naeyaert

Alex is a professional puppeteer and stop-motion animator. He has been touring the midwest for the past 6 years performing and teaching puppetry. Alex earned his BFA from the College for Creative Studies in 2009, and worked on several Cartoon Network television shows, films, and commercials animating and building puppets in Los Angeles. He moved back home to Michigan and started his own company “Alex Thomas and Friends” with his wife Jessica in 2012.

Alex Thomas

Jessica received her BS in Education from Wayne State University in 2009 and taught middle school mathematics for 5 years. She also has experience working with children with special needs and autism from her experience working at Penrickton Center for Blind Children. Jessica and her husband Alex, started their own company “Alex Thomas and Friends” in 2012 and have been teaching animation, puppetry, special effects, and more to youth and teens across the midwest.

Jessica Thomas