Meet the Staff

Hi, my name is Susan Balas, and I serve as the Career and Technical Education Specialist in the Intro to Auto & Industrial Technology program. I have worked for Kent ISD for 9 years and have enjoyed every moment of it. Prior to moving to Auto & Industrial Technology, I worked in Work-Based Learning as a CTES/job coach here at KCTC. 

My name is Brenda Brower, and I serve as the Job Coach for Work-Based Learning at KCTC. I am currently in my 16th year with Kent ISD. Prior to this role, I spent four years with Region 1 Transition Service, a post–high school program now known as Empower U. Earlier in my career, I worked for several years in retail company as a human resources specialist.

Hello, my name is Teyondra Burch and I have been in education for over 10 years. After graduating from Central Michigan University with a degree in Child Development and Sociology with a Youth Concentration in 2013, I became a reading interventionist with Americorps.

Hello! My name is Lori Dulak.  I have 26 years of teaching experience in Special Education, starting in North Carolina, then five years in Texas, and the rest here in Michigan. My passion is working with students in the area of transition. I enjoy helping students achieve their highest potential and ability. 

Hello! My name is Ryan Marklevitz, and I am a Hospitality/Culinary Instructor. I have been at Kent ISD since 2009. Being a culinary instructor at Kent ISD has been a gift that I have enjoyed very much. Helping students succeed through hands-on experiences is one of the best parts of my job. Along with my education and many years of experience in the culinary field, I am also a veteran of the United States Navy, where I served on a submarine.

I'm a recent graduate from Western Michigan University and studied Psychology and Integrative Holistic Health. I like to explore the great outdoors, study herbalism, and practice mindfulness. I also like to run and participate in yoga.

Hello! I have over 17 years of teaching experience and am certified in 6–12 Social Studies, 6–12 English, CTE, Teacher Leadership, and soon, Special Education. I’ve had the privilege of teaching in a wide range of educational settings—from large urban schools in Houston, TX, to residential alternative programs like the Beaver Island Lighthouse School, to small rural districts such as Forest Area Community Schools. Today, I’m proud to be a part of Kent ISD.

I am a graduate of CMU with a BAA in Commercial Recreation & Facilities Management and a Minor in Marketing.  After working several years with the Denver Convention Complex, my husband and I moved back to Michigan to be closer to family.  I left the event management world, started a family, and found a new path in elementary education as a paraprofessional in Rockford Public Schools.  

Hello! My name is Kyle Retan and I am an Instructor for the Marketing program. I am excited to be starting my 8th year here at the ISD. One of the best parts about working here is that while students are learning valuable skills to help them get great jobs, they are also having fun!

Hi! My name is Cindy Saltzman.   I work as the Career Technical Education Specialist in the Hospitality program. The best part of working here is being able to work with such a caring staff, and of course, seeing my students' smiling faces every day!

Hello! My name is Ben Trentham and I've been a work-based learning facilitator here at the Kent ISD since 2016. Before that I taught special education at Union High School in Grand Rapids for six years. I have a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Special Education from Eastern Michigan University and Grand Valley State University.

Hello! My name is Barry Wackerle, and I am the Intro to Auto & Industrial Technology Instructor at KCTC.  My passion is to help others, and my purpose in life is to teach young people so they can become successful individuals.  I thoroughly enjoy teaching and feel rewarded for helping students learn.