Meet The Staff

Susan Wagner

Social Studies Teacher

susan.wagner@wayprogram.net

Susan serves as the Social Studies Lab Expert and a Mentor for WAY Academy of Flint. Susan has served in various capacities in education before receiving her Secondary Education degree, including tutoring for a college dual enrollment course for the University of Michigan - Flint, substitute teaching, and tutoring English Language Learners. Outside of the lab, she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, camping, walking, and music.

Mark Faupel

Math Teacher

mark.faupel@wayprogram.net

Mark has been at WAY Academy Flint since 2014 and currently serves as half time Title I Math as well as a half time Math Lab expert. He teaches the Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 projects. Mark has been in education for 20 years. Mark began his career at Bay Arenac Community High School in Essexville, MI and has also taught at Beecher Middle School, Buena Vista High School, and Saginaw Public Schools. When he is not teaching, Mark coaches high school boys varsity bowling at St. Charles High School and has a team state title (2010) and runner up (2016) on his coaching resume as well as three individual singles state titles (2014-16).

He is also a very accomplished bowler with 20 300 games to his credit. Mark is very involved and active in the Boy Scouts of America as an Assistant Scoutmaster and is an Eagle Scout. He has received volunteer awards on both the district and council level for his dedication to service with youth. He enjoys camping, hiking, cycling, and spending time outdoors with his troop.

Dey Perkins

Paraprofessional

dey.perkins@wayprogram.net

I have 2 boys, they're 13 and 7 years old. I enjoy binge watching shows, traveling, listening to music, and finding new places to eat. Sometimes I help coordinate events and plan parties on the side.

The past 2 years I have been a parapro at WAY Academy-Flint. My job is to assist researchers with their projects and get them to earn credit. My proudest moments are watching researchers be promoted to the next grade and eventually be able to see them graduate. If you're looking for a smaller school where your child can get help with their individual needs, bring your child to WAY-Flint so I can work with them.

Samantha MacDermaid

Social Emotional Counselor

samantha.mcdermaid@wayprogram.net

Samantha is our newest staff member and is the Social Emotional Counselor. She has degrees from both U of M Flint and Eastern Michigan University.
Samantha spent much of her career working with children who had an autism diagnosis. She will assist our researchers in finding the best ways to be productive in the lab and she will also host restorative circles for various situations. She has a daughter named Rylie who is 2.5 years old.

Alexandra Guzman

District Pupil Accounting Specialist

Email Alexandra Guzman

‭(313) 627-7971‬

My name is Alexandra Guzman and I am the District Compliance Coordinator/ Pupil Accountant for WAY Program. I grew up in Southwest Detroit and attended Wayne State University. I have worked in schools for around 13 years. Throughout these years I have worked in many positions; as a Special Education aide, Bilingual Paraprofessional, Office Assistant, Parent/Community Liaison, Office Manager, School Accounting, Payroll and Pupil Accountant. I started working at WAY Academy in Southwest Detroit as an Administrative Assistant in 2018. Within all of the different positions I have held I have really enjoyed working with both students and parents but most importantly the community of Southwest Detroit. It was difficult for me to move positions because I had a special place in my heart when it came to working with both the parents and students from the community. I now work at a district level because it was a better fit for my family but I do try to stay involved with the community.