Specials

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and express my excitement about teaching and creating with your son/daughter. My name is Mrs. Sarah George and I will be your child’s Visual Arts teacher. I hold a Masters of Art & Design at the University of Northern Colorado. In addition, I received a Bachelors of Fine Arts with a major in Visual Arts Education and a minor in Spanish Education from Eastern Michigan University.  I bring a wealth of knowledge and skill to help your child succeed in their studies.

Since 2014, I have taught at Eberwhite Elementary and am honored to be a part of such a great community of students, teachers, administrators, and families. I am very excited to be a part of the Fine Arts Department, and I am looking forward to getting to know you and your child. Adding to my passion for teaching and creating art, I also am an accomplished equestrian, dog trainer, and animal lover. I also enjoy traveling and spending time with my husband, friends, and family. 

To learn more about the art program at Eberwhite, please visit my website here.

Henry Blackson-Pakela (he/him) is the Associate Director of Bands at Pioneer High School and the 5th Grade Band teacher at Eberwhite! He is also the co-director for Band at Slauson Middle School, and has served as the AAPS Summer Music Program’s Jazz Director since 2023.

Prior to his current position, Mr. Pakela was the Associate Director of Bands of Ann Arbor Clague Middle School from 2019-2024. In 2024, the Clague Middle School 8th Grade Band was invited to perform at the Michigan Music Conference- the first middle school in Ann Arbor to do so. Mr. Pakela has also taught 5th Grade Band at Abbot, Dicken, Bach, King and Logan Elementary.

A product of the Ann Arbor Public Schools Music Program, Mr. Pakela went to Haisley, Forsythe, Pioneer and Community- playing trombone in the Pioneer Symphony Band and Community Jazz program! Mr. Pakela then went on to the University of Michigan to major in Jazz Studies and Music Education, graduating with honors in 2018. 

Outside of teaching, Mr. Pakela performs trombone and bass trombone locally, maintains a robust private low brass studio, and loves to spend time with his wife Amanda Blackson-Pakela (AAPS Music Teacher) and their beagle pup Beatrice.

Hello! My name is Shakira Player, and I am excited to work with your children this year as their school librarian and media teacher! I hold a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Central Michigan University, a Master of Arts in Literacy Education from The University of Michigan, and a Graduate Library Media Teacher K-12 Endorsement from Southern Utah University.

I have been the school librarian at Eberwhite since 2016. Before becoming a certified school librarian, I was a classroom teacher for nine years. I taught 4th grade, kindergarten, and 1st grade. I have a special passion for teaching reading, early literacy and educational technology.  

It is my goal that our school library program will foster a love of reading, a curiosity for information and research, inspire life-long learning, and support and enrich classroom instruction in literacy and technology. It is my goal that these experiences will create memories that will last a lifetime for your children!

In addition to my professional responsibilities, I enjoy traveling to new places, listening to audiobooks, and trying new foods. I am married to my best friend and we have two wonderful daughters, one who is a student at Slauson, and the other who is currently attending Eberwhite.

Library Amazon Wish List

Hello! My name is Kristi Van Ryn, and I am excited to work with your children this year in the Gym at Eberwhite as their Physical Education teacher! I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education from Calvin University and a Master of Science in Health and Exercise Studies from Miami University in Ohio. 

I have been teaching Physical Education at Eberwhite since 2005. Before Eberwhite, I taught High School Health at Huron and Pioneer and was one of the track and cross country coaches.  I am also certified as a Group Fitness Instructor.

In Physical Education, I will be working to encourage healthy habits to teach students that movement is fun.  The goal is for our students to be confident and creative movers and to choose to be active for a lifetime! It is my expectation that students will learn to become physically fit, develop character, learn skills and become knowledgeable about health and wellness. The goal is to have fun, stay moving and learn at the same time. 

In addition to my professional responsibilities, I am married to my husband, Jason, and we have two children- one boy and one girl. As a family, we enjoy traveling, hiking and playing golf together. 

Hello families! I am Nathan Moger. I will be teaching Project Lead The Way at Eberwhite this year.

In PLTW, students learn about science topics, and apply what they’ve learned to solve design problems in small groups. They also learn how to use computers, and create their own digital products. PLTW fosters collaboration, creativity, and problem solving skills.

For more information about PLTW, see this link. I'm looking forward to starting an exciting new year!

Hello families! I am Bridget Zeuty. I will be teaching Project Lead The Way at Eberwhite this year.

In PLTW, students learn about science topics, and apply what they’ve learned to solve design problems in small groups. They also learn how to use computers, and create their own digital products. PLTW fosters collaboration, creativity, and problem solving skills.

For more information about PLTW, see this link. I'm looking forward to starting an exciting new year!

Hello! I’m Mr. Willets! I grew up in Ann Arbor and went to Carpenter School, Scarlett and Huron High School. I hold music degrees from The New England Conservatory of Music and Eastern Michigan University. I’ve been teaching 40.5 years off the book and I’m entering my official 34th year, officially!

I’ve been working at Ebewhite for 17 years! I teach vocal and general music as well as 5 th grade beginning strings (violin, viola and cello). I also sing, act and dance professionally and semi-professionally! I LOVE what I do and look forward to working with your children and meeting you at one of our many events!

*NOTE:  ALL EVENTS WILL POSSIBLY BE VIDEO TAPED BY PARENTS AND VISITORS- AND POSSIBLY BE POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA..WE DON'T AND CAN'T CONTROL THIS.  

Music/Arts Enrichment/Concert Dates

2025-2026

ENRICHMENT PERFORMANCES

Toldeo Opera: Tuesday October 21 st 1:15-2:00
p.m.Whole School Assembly “The Bear Who Couldn’t
Fish”

Wayne State University “Dance One”, Friday, February
20 th. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Whole School Assembly

Eastern Michigan University Drama & Theatre for the
Young present “The Snowy Day.” Friday March 13 th .
Y5-3 rd grade . 1:15 or 2:00?

Ann Arbor Symphony Strings

• Friday, January 30th, 2026- Y5/K-2nd 9:30-10:10. &  10:20-11:05 3rd -5th

Brass Quintet

• Friday, November 7, 2025, (9:30am - 11:05am) k-2 (9;30-10!0:10) & 3-5(10:120-11:05)

Wind Quartet

• Friday, January 16, 2026, 9:30am - 11:05am , (9:30am - 11:05am) k-2 (9;30-10!0:10) & 3-5(10:120-11:05

**** Holiday/Seasonal Song Sing with Mr. Willets
Thursday, December 18 th & Friday December 19 th 8:15
a.m.- 8:47 a.m. Eberwhite Auditorium

Jazzistry, whole school assembly 2:30-3:30 Wednesday January 28th 2026

NAAPID, Monday February 9th 3:00 p.m. -3:45 p.m. Community High Jazz Ensemble Whole School Assembly

 

STUDENT PERFORMANCES

Friday, January 16 th …Dr. King Jr. Assembly: Whole
School assembly/Parents and Guests are invited: 2:00-
2:45, guest speaker/performer ACLU attorney, Jay
Kaplan.

Thursday, March 26 th “Nuts” 2 nd & 3 rd grades perform the
musical play “Nuts” 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. (students
need to be in their evening performance spots at 6:45
p.m.) Whole School Concert for parents and guests

Wednesday, April 29 nd Earth Day! “Every Day is Earth
Day” performed by the 4 th and 5 th grade students 2:00
p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (students need to be in their evening
performance spots at 6:45 p.m.) Whole School Concert
for parents and guests

Friday, May 8 th “A Teddy Bear Picnic” Kindergarten and
Young 5performance for parents & guests of
Kindergarten and Young 5’s only 2:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 21 st “1 st Grade Spring Concert” 2:00 p.m.
Whole School Performance with Parents and Guests.

Monday, May 18 th , 5 th grade Instrumental concert 9:00
warm up, 9:20-10:20 performance for Whole School and
adult guests. 7:00-8:00 p.m. evening performance
(students need to be in their places for tuning etc at
6:30 p.m