About Cape

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Community Alliance for Progressive Education (CAPE) got its start in the summer of 2012 when a group of local parents and educators recognized the need for the option of progressive, student-led learning in the Houghton/Hancock area.   In our earliest meetings, we identified the ideal learning environment for our children which included aspects such as: hands-on learning, no testing or grades, whole-child education, self-paced, supportive, and challenging.


From that time, our organization has advocated for and developed education choices. One such opportunity came in the form of the Discovery Center, a Calumet Public Schools partnership program where many CAPE students engage in hands-on, high quality sessions through this innovative program.

Please read about our current and future projects to learn more about current and future programs and offerings!​
​Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.
Nelson Mandela

Meet The Team

Susan Nielsen

Executive Director

Susan Nielsen’s career demonstrates a commitment to supporting individuals, teams, and organizations in creating empowering, innovative environments.  She believes that an inspiring environment fosters new ideas, collaborations, and energy necessary for progress.  For fifteen years she owned and operated a successful consulting firm specializing in leadership development, positive people systems, and career management programs.  Susan has a B.S. in Organizational Psychology from the University of Michigan and completed her Master’s degree in Applied Behavioral Science from Johns Hopkins University.  Her love of learning and education led her to transition from consulting to higher education when she accepted a leadership position at the Jackson Community College in Jackson, Michigan.  In that role she was asked by the college President to start up and grow a new department for Corporate and Continuing Education.  Upon moving to the Upper Peninsula, she has spent a decade working to transform the education experience in rural northern Michigan through her non-profit organization. She regularly inspires hundreds of students and families to think and act creatively in pursuit of their passions and dreams.

Tanya Sajdak

Project Manager

Tanya Sajdak, Project Manager and Purchase Order Queen for CAPE. Lol!  She feels blessed to serve the families in the Keweenaw and be a part of such an amazing community.  Tanya went to school at Concordia University for Paralegal and Communications. She is also a trained facilitator for the Trek program. Tanya currently teaches Life Skills class for CLK.  In the past, she has taught Impact Project and co-taught International Neighbors class at the Discovery Center. In addition, Tanya has homeschooled her two children, Skylar and Samuel with her husband, Paul.  Tanya loves traveling, reading, skiing, hiking, nature and spending time with her family and dog, Gunner. :)

Karen Colbert

Board President

My name is Karen Colbert. I'm a 2nd year PhD student at MTU in Computational Science and Engineering. I am also the lead math instructor at the Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College (KBOCC). Currently, my husband and I homeschool our 9 children. I feel so blessed for the opportunities I have experienced in both my educational and professional life to be where I am today. Homeschooling has opened the door to unlimited possibilities for my family. 

Matthew Vertin

Board Treasurer

Mr. Vertin comes to the CAPE board as the Director of Virtual Programs for the Public Schools of CLK of which CAPE has been a partner since 2019.  Mr. Vertin earned his Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Western Michigan University and spent many years working in broadcasting and marketing, which included owning and running two local radio stations.  During that time, he served on the CLK Board of Education from 2002-2012.  In 2013, he became even more involved with education at CLK when hired to work with high school students in career and college planning as well as developing the now expanded virtual program.  Working with children has been a passion along with his vision for alternative education opportunities. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling with his family as well as coaching girls softball, along with officiating ice hockey in the winter months and occasionally taking in a round of golf in the summer months.  

Brian Rajdl

Board Secretary

A nature enthusiast, wilderness adventurer, guide and mentor.  Brian’s path in life is to teach and mentor students and adults about the diverse wonders of our natural world, opening pathways for others to safely  explore and experience our wild places. He has been a wilderness guide and nature educator in the Lake Superior region for 20 years. As a Science and Mathematics certified middle and high school teacher, Brian has taught 12 years in the public school system; and 6 years as a full time instructor for the Discovery Center teaching homeschoolers and is currently the director of the Discovery Center.   Brian has 4 adventurous children whom he homeschools.  

Abigail Gehrke

Board Director

Abby Gehrke is an English-teacher-turned-homeschooling-parent. Her family enjoys the freedom and flexibility of homeschooling and innovative education—being able to explore their interests at their own level and pace or change course when something isn't working. Abby enjoys reading, picnicking at Lake Superior, hiking in the woods, playing in the snow, and adventuring with her husband and kids.

Mary Raber

Board Director

Mary Raber, BSME, MBA, Ph.D., is a Professor of Practice at Michigan Technological University and enjoys her multiple roles as Assistant Dean for Academic Programs for the Pavlis Honors College, co-director of Husky Innovate (Michigan Tech’s resource hub for innovation & entrepreneurship), and as Chief Doing Officer of IDEAhub (Michigan Tech’s collaborative working group for educational innovation). Mary is a design-thinking and innovation enthusiast and loves to help others embrace the tools and mindsets of innovation to effect positive change. After a 15-year career in the automotive industry, she joined Michigan Tech to lead the implementation and growth of the highly distinctive undergraduate Enterprise Program. Mary facilitates learning in leadership, human-centered design, lean start-up, strategic doing, life design and more.  In her spare time, Mary enjoys hiking, skiing, quilting, reading and baking.

Lauren Isbell

Program Facilitator and Virtual Content Creator

Lauren Isbell, program facilitator and virtual content creator for CAPE, has been guiding student learning as an Informal Educator at experiential and environmental education centers since 2012. Having the opportunity to teach diverse populations of students K-12 across several different states, she recognizes each student is an individual that is on their own journey to success. When Lauren isn't working for CAPE, she also teaches classes at the CLK Discovery Center and mentors with UP Virtual Academy. On her evenings and weekends (depending on the season), Lauren enjoys sea kayaking, ice climbing, and skijoring with her two dogs, Lenny and Dawson. 

earnie beutler

 D&D Instructor

Hello! My name is Ernie and I am a thirty-seven year old father of fifive kids. I have been an instructor at the Discovery Center for five years now. My main focus in teaching is through Dungeons and Dragons. Having been a professional and recreation Dungeon Master for several of those years, I aim to educate using the power of group dynamics, problem solving, cooperation, and storytelling. The ulitmate goal for every educator is to enrich the experiences and perspectives of the students I interact with as they move forward in their lives, and I truly believe that what I do in the classroom will help to accomplish that. I Look forward to seeing everyone in the upcoming school year!

Carly Tyran

Curriculum Developer

Carly will be partnering with CAPE remotely as a Curriculum Developer for the summer of 2021. She previously instructed music classes and private music lessons at the Discovery Center in 2018-2019.

She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Michigan State University with a primary focus on instrumental instruction and early childhood music education. During the school year, she serves as an instructional assistant and general music teacher at Gaylord Community Schools. Additionally, Carly runs a multi-instrumental private lessons studio that includes students of all ages and levels. She also offers early childhood music classes through the Gaylord Community Music School. Being a student centered teacher is the driving force behind Carly's educational practices - placing great emphasis on student voice, curiosity, and self-efficacy.

In her free time, Carly likes to tend her vegetable garden, hike, kayak, ski, read, paint, watch comedies, and play with her dog, Sunny!"

Nic Wilson
Instructor

Nichole “Nic” Marie Wilson has always had a love for children and their growth and development. From a young age, starting with their own siblings and cousins, if you wanted to find Nic you just had to look for the smallest child and they would be right there helping them. Starting in high school over 12 years ago Nic babysat and nannied until they became known in the Keweenaw area as being one of the best childcare providers for playful, gentle, and attachment caregiving. Nic is now pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education to hopefully stay on a career path that involves nurturing young souls.

Emily Svenson
Instructor

Emily Svenson is a Functional Medicine Health coach and the virtual Health class instructor  and coach for CAPE. In the past, she has taught Healthy Living, Kids Cooking classes, and  Zumba, and was the Wellness Coordinator for the Keweenaw Co-op. Emily is currently  pursuing yoga teacher certification and board certification for Health Coaching. Emily is a mom  of three amazing kids who enjoys dance, yoga, fitness, adventure, nature, and great books.  Emily has dealt with her own health struggles such as asthma and allergies and disordered  sleep. She has significantly improved her own conditions through lifestyle change, and has a  passion for helping others do the same. Emily loves to be an ally for others on their journey  towards better health and a more fulfilling life.

Anna Sanchez
Instructor

My name is Anna Sanchez. I am a classically trained artist that has experience and training in oil, acrylic, and watercolor techniques, as well as training in graphic and illustrative design. With that being said, I have taken all that knowledge and chosen to embrace the weird. I work in multimedia to create art that evokes thought and emotion, without being afraid of reaching beyond the typical mediums viewed as aesthetically pleasing. My belief is that art is for the masses; it should touch everyone’s life. I allow myself to become vulnerable and honest with my students, and let my struggles and strengths show. In doing this, I feel that I’m able to connect with students through true, honest experiences; it has helped me be a more effective educator. My approach to teaching is open and unafraid. In my classes, we don’t shy away from the tough subjects. And we embrace the strange, the weird, the unorthodox. I want the youth of our community to be involved with that movement as much as possible and will work with your family to make that happen.

mickey Hawkins
Instructor

Hi everyone! My name is Michelle Hawkins, but everyone calls me Mickey.I am a native to the area and love it up here! I have been involved with the homeschooling programs at the Discovery Center and Cape since the beginning. I have also raised a child through the homeschooling system that graduated successfully coming up on 2 years ago. I am actively participating in many angles of our programs from mentoring with Cape, count day mentoring, and teaching music lessons. I truly enjoy getting to watch our kids and our amazing programs grow and develop!

Community Alliance for Progressive Education
hANCOCK, mi | (734) 649-0600 | [email protected]

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