Lower El
Jean Popovici - KG
Mrs. Popovici has been teaching at Chatfield School since its beginning in 1997. She has been involved in educating young children since she graduated from Michigan State University with a B.S. degree in secondary education. She received her elementary certification from Indiana University in 1993. She has a ZA Endorsement from Oakland University.
Mrs. Popovici has been married to her husband Nick for 39 years and has 3 children. Her oldest son, Nick works for Ally Bank in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania. Her daughter Katie is married to Jack and she has two little girls named Abbey Jean who is 4 years old and Josie Ann who is 15 months olds. They reside in Grosse Pointe Woods. Katie and Nick graduated from MSU. Her youngest son, Andrew, recently graduated from Albion College in International Finance and Economics and is working as a district manager for Ryder Trucks.
Mrs. Popovici enjoys spending time with her family, the beach, and reading.
Cathy Houghtaling - KG
Mrs. Houghtaling taught kindergarten and special education at Lapeer Community Schools for 19 years. She joined the Chatfield Staff in its first year in 1997. She received her Bachelor's Degree from Western Michigan University and her Master's Degree from Oakland University. Her background is in math and special education with some additional work in early childhood.
Her husband, Ted is a UPS Driver and a Master Sergeant in the National Guard. They have been married for 33 years. Her son and daughter live in the Lapeer area. All four grandchildren are Dolphins.
Kim Kobylik - 1st Grade
Mrs. Kobylik has been a Chatfield Dolphin for nine years. First as the Reading Specialist and for the last five years in first grade. She earned her BA in elementary education from University of Michigan-Flint in 1989 and her masters in reading/reading specialist endorsement from Marygrove College 2010. Mrs. Kobylik has been married for twenty four years to Neal and three fabulous girls call her mom. Kristen, married to Dennis, is mom to the star of the family, Ellie (whom I’m SURE you will hear a LOT about this year!) Lauren is in her third year of nursing school at Notre Dame College and Madison who is a senior at Lapeer East High School.
Teaching first grade is one the most important things Mrs. Kobylik has ever done. She believes that instilling a love for learning and teaching students that school is FUN is key to a child’s education.
Anne Reives - 1st Grade
Anne Rieves has lived in Lapeer with her family for 19 wonderful years. She graduated from Central Michigan University with a degree in special education and attended Wayne State University to work on her masters in Learning Disabilities. Anne taught in the Grosse Pointe Public School system for 8 years until the birth of her 2nd child. She and her husband Mike have 4 children who have all attended The Chatfield School. David is currently attending Grand Valley State University and is a National Guard reservist, Eric is attending Adrian College, Patrick is living at home and is a student at Mott and her baby Emily is a freshman at Lapeer West High School. When not teaching 1st grade Anne LOVES to read, spend time with her family, go for walks, draw and paint with water colors.
Kristi Huestis - 2nd Grade
Mrs. Huestis is a long time resident of Lapeer County. She graduated from Lapeer West and received her Bachelor's degree in education from the Universtiy of Michigan-Flint. Mrs. Huestis has a Master's of Science degree in education with a specialization in technology. This is her fourth year teaching second grade at The Chatfield School. Mrs. Huestis strives to make a lasting impression on the children she teaches and instill a love of learning. Mrs. Huestis is married and has three children, Alex, Karli and Aiden. During her spare time, Mrs. Huestis enjoys spending time with her family, reading and walking.
Maribeth Boyer - 2nd Grade
Maribeth Boyer has been a resident of Lapeer since she was four years old. She earned a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from the University of Michigan, and she has been teaching at Chatfield School since 2003. During this time she has taught kindergarten through second grade. She also completed a Master of Science in Literacy and Math at Walden University. Her classroom is filled with learning, laughter, and life. She is a dedicated teacher whom finds the best in her students. She also believes that making a connection between home and school is vital. Parents are openly invited to participate in their child's learning, and parent/child/teacher communication is encouraged.