Staff

Mr. Whitted earned his Bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and his Master's degree in Teaching from Marygrove College. Before joining West Highland, he taught for over 20 years in the public school system, covering subjects such as social studies, English, drama, science, and technology integration. He also spent many years coaching soccer and cross-country. 

In addition to his teaching and coaching experience, Mr. Whitted and his family served as missionaries at a school for the deaf in Mexico. He continues to lead mission trips to Mexico for West Highland students.

Mr. Whitted is dedicated to helping each student at West Highland realize their potential in Christ. His goal is to create a Christ-centered, supportive, and bully-free environment for all the students.

He is married with three children, all of whom are graduates of WHCA. In his spare time, Mr. Whitted enjoys traveling, spending quality time with his family, and helping others.

Mrs. Betts serves as the Administrative Assistant in the office, where she has the privilege of supporting the principal, staff, students, and parents of WHCA. With over 20 years of involvement in Christian education, she brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her role.

She holds an Associate’s Degree in Music from Moody Bible Institute and recently earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Christian Counseling from Liberty University.

Mrs. Betts and her husband are actively involved in music, worship, and various other ministries. They are proud parents of three children, grandparents to three, and share their home with one dog and two cats.

Mrs. Matthews joined West Highland after a 24-year career in IT as a software quality tester. Before joining the staff 10 years ago, she was actively involved as a parent at the school. Now, she works in the Business Office, where she oversees tuition, enrollment, payroll, and provides IT support. She has a deep passion for helping others and brings both dedication and enthusiasm to her role.

Mrs. Matthews is married and has two sons. Both are WHCA graduates. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family at their cabin up north, where they enjoy trail riding, canoeing, fishing, and relaxing by the campfire, and crocheting.

Mrs. Ambrose has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematical Sciences with an emphasis in Computer Science from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She worked as a computer programmer and developed programs for NOAA, NAVOCEANO, and NOAA's Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research at the John C. Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, before moving to Ann Arbor, Michigan. Her passion is to help students learn and attain their full potential despite any learning differences. She has four children. She enjoys gardening, going for walks, hiking in the mountains, and spending time with family and friends.

Mrs. Austin is a proud alumna of WHCA, graduating with the Class of 2004. She serves as the Worship Director at West Highland Baptist Church and brings her passion for music and Christ-centered worship into every area of her work. With over 20 years of teaching experience, she offers private piano and voice lessons, specializing in contemporary, pop, Broadway, and worship styles.

In addition to teaching, Mrs. Austin is the owner of Milford Music, a local music studio where she leads a team of dedicated instructors offering lessons in a variety of instruments. Her goal is to help each student reach their full musical potential in an encouraging and creative environment.

At WHCA, she currently teaches Worship Media, guiding students in the technical aspects of worship production, including sound, slides, and behind-the-scenes tech. Her heart is to see students not only grow in skill but also in their love for the Lord through music and service.

Mrs. Barber holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Michigan University and an Associate degree in Elementary Education from Washtenaw Community College. During eight years of service in Malaysia, she taught as a substitute teacher at an international school and became fluent in Malay. It was there that she discovered her passion for teaching.

She is a certified Dyslexia Consultant through Bright Solutions, Inc. and has been tutoring with the Barton Dyslexia System since 2012. Currently, Mrs. Barber serves in Thailand as a kindergarten teacher while also directing the Dyslexia Program for WHCA in her role as Dyslexia Consultant.

She and her husband have five children and three grandchildren. Three of their children are proud graduates of West Highland.

Mrs. Clark holds a bachelor's degree in English and Elementary Education from Madonna University. After spending some time homeschooling her children, they transitioned to attending West Highland. In 2023, Mrs. Clark began working as a substitute art teacher and officially joined the staff for the 2023-2024 school year. She is passionate about painting and inspiring children to embrace their creativity. Mrs. Clark is married and has three children. One of her daughters is a recent graduate and her son is currently attending.

Ms. Comis began volunteering with the WHCA concert band in 2021 and soon stepped into roles as substitute teacher and assistant music teacher before becoming our current Music and Performing Arts teacher. She has been teaching music lessons since 2012 and earned her B.M. in Music Education from Oakland University in 2021. Her teaching experience spans private lessons, homeschool music classes, and public school programs. In addition to her work at WHCA, she also teaches at Milford Music Studios and Renaissance Academy. She loves being part of our team and hopes your favorite worship song gets stuck in your head today!

Mrs. Daniels graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a degree in Elementary Education and an endorsement in Cognitive Impairments. She is thrilled to be teaching again at WHCA. Previously, she was a long-term substitute for 5th/6th grades, a special education teacher and dyslexia tutor. Prior to teaching at WHCA, she subbed at several local schools. This is her 4th year teaching elementary students at WHCA, and she loves the freedom she has to talk to them about Jesus.

Mrs. DiRezze earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, GA.  She has previously substitute taught in a homeschool co-op and taught her own children at home. Mrs. DiRezze is married and has two children, Sophia (K4) and Alexander (3rd grade), who currently attend WHCA. She enjoys spending time teaching Bible Studies with the Reach the Forgotten ministry at the Livingston County Jail.  She is passionate about helping students understand how to view all things through a lens of a Biblical Worldview.

Mrs. Diller attended Taylor University for Elementary Education. She previously taught homeschool co-op classes for over 10 years and has been at WHCA for five years. She enjoys teaching science, history, geography and many other subjects. She has been tutoring with the Barton System for four years. Mrs. Diller has worked with special needs students in a variety of settings during her teaching time. She has six children, two of whom attend West Highland. She is a huge supporter of our robotics programs and is currently the head coach for junior high and an assistant coach for the high school and upper elementary teams.

Dr. Dorais received his Bachelor of Arts and Master’s degrees from the University of Michigan and his Doctorate from Liberty University.  He has over 20 years of experience teaching in both public and private schools.  Dr. Dorais is married and is the proud father of two children, Ethan and Ava, both of whom are graduates of WHCA.

Elise Evans is the kindergarten teacher and a Bible teacher. She grew up in Saudi Arabia and then attended a Christian boarding school in South Carolina. She has been around the world 7 times. She loves animals, but currently does not have a pet. Mrs. Evans loves to ski, hike, swim in the ocean, travel, and read fantasy. She loves puzzles and games. She is happiest when she is playing with her family.

Mrs. Evans has a teaching degree and a Bible degree from Columbia International University, and teaching certificates in South Carolina and Michigan. This summer she attended the Answers for Educators conference in Kentucky, and has a passion for teaching the truth and making a Christ-centered education available to every child. She loves teaching all subject areas, but especially loves seeing the light in the children’s eyes when they truly become an independent reader. Mrs. Evans loves to use project-based learning, games, song, movement and other methods to teach her students. She is often seen kneeling next to the students to communicate on their level and keep a child’s perspective. She is a stickler for handwriting, showing work in math, reading every day, and letting kids learn how to solve problems and be lifelong learners.

She is excited to teach Bible to the middle school this year. Additionally, Mrs. Evans is very involved in the Student Statesmanship Institute of Michigan (ssionline.org). She volunteers at the LEAD camp for teens and is excited to expand upon the mission of discipleship with young adults through this program.

After school, you will find Mrs. Evans involved in the robotics program at WHCA. She is passionate about hands-on learning and finds that our robotics program is inspiring for all kinds of students.

Mrs. Evans loves the verses: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair, persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus so that his life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake so that this life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-12

Mrs. Nunneley has a B.S. degree in Chemistry and Biology, with a minor in Math and graduate courses in Analytical Chemistry. Throughout college, she taught general science labs and tutored. Her work experience includes six years as an Analytical Chemist in Research and Development and Supervisor of a manufacturing/product development lab for two years. 

In addition, she served for three years on the board of a charitable organization, Yokohama International Women's Club, while living in Japan. She has also served as a group leader and children's leader for many years for Bible Study Fellowship International in both the USA and Japan. 

She was a substitute teacher for 3 years, taught earth science and physics for 1 year at Walled Lake Western, and has taught 3rd/4th grade at WHCA for 4 years. It is her endeavor to not only provide an excellent education, but also to pour into her students the love that Jesus Christ has poured into her life.

Mrs. Packer is a dedicated educator who co-teaches 1st and 2nd grade and serves as a Dyslexia tutor. She holds an Associates Degree in Business, studied Court Reporting in business school and also earned her CDA in Preschool Education. With 20 years of experience teaching preschool-aged children at other schools, Mrs. Packer joined West Highland nine years ago as a Dyslexia tutor and began teaching here four years ago.

As a long-standing member of the West Highland community, Mrs. Packer has been a parent volunteer for more than 20 years. She and her husband have four grown children, all of whom attended West Highland, with three graduating from the school.

Mrs. Packer is passionate about sharing the love of Jesus with her students and is committed to helping them achieve success, discover their God-given potential, and grow both academically and spiritually.

Pastor Gabe and his wife Sarah are former missionaries to Ukraine where they worked with orphans. He is currently the Lead Pastor at a local church but values Christian education and is thankful to be a part of the West Highland family. Pastor Gabe is a graduate of Simpson University and received his Masters in Christian Ministry with an emphasis on missions from Liberty University. His life verse is John 3:30 - "Jesus must increase and I must decrease." His hope for students is that they learn to rest securely in the timeless truth of God's Word so they can be His instruments in a changing world.

Mrs. Whitted earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education with minors in science and social studies from Eastern Michigan University. She and her family were missionaries in Mexico for five years. Her desire is for her students to realize that God has an amazing plan for their lives and for them to understand that a life lived for God is incredibly fulfilling.

Mr. Williams has a bachelor's degree in Education from Oakland University with a major in mathematics and minors in science and language arts. He is certified K-8th grade. He and his wife, Kaye, have been leaders in the children's ministry at their church for over 25 years.

Ms. Debora Wilson began her career working as a chemist before answering God’s call to homeschool her children and teach. That step of faith ignited a deep passion for education, ministry, and mentoring young people. With almost 30 years of teaching experience, she has served in homeschool co-ops, public, private, and charter schools, always with a heart to help students grow in both knowledge and Christ-centered purpose.

She holds a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from the University of Detroit Mercy and has pursued graduate-level business studies, along with earning certifications in Nanoscience & Nanotechnology and Plastics Processing & Technology.

Ms. Wilson is committed to equipping students with critical thinking skills, a problem-solving mindset, and strong biblical foundations. She firmly believes that every student has been gifted by God for a purpose and considers it a joy to help them discover and develop those gifts.

For the past 13 years, she has faithfully served at West Highland, where she currently holds the roles of High School Student Advisor and Robotics Program Director. She is especially passionate about guiding students through scholarship and college planning, helping them pursue opportunities that align with God’s unique calling for their lives.