Concord Petoskey welcomes new director

PETOSKEY — Kali McNamara has stepped into the director’s role at the Concord Academy of Petoskey after previously serving as the school’s assistant director.

McNamara is marking her second year at Concord Petoskey and her eighth year overall in education. She previously worked at Northwest Academy — now the Charlevoix Montessori Academy for the Arts — as a Title I teacher and middle school math and science teacher.

“My experience in education started as a small child,” McNamara said in an email. “My parents were both educators, which for my sisters and I meant we practically lived at school, helping out our parents and of course pretending to play school. I went from playing school as a kid to becoming a teacher. Previously I was a Title One teacher and middle school math and science teacher. I then became an assistant administrator under my mentor, Phoebe Gohs, and then when she left to go work for the (Michigan Department of Education) I moved into the interim administrator position and the following year became the administrator. My professional experience in education has always been with charter schools and I look forward to continuing that experience.”

McNamara, 38, is originally from Petoskey but grew up in Alaska before returning to Michigan after high school.

“I was interested in becoming the director because I am invested in Concord's mission, vision and its values,” McNamara said. “Concord has an amazing family atmosphere where students are able to reach both their academic and personal potential.”

The previous director at Concord Petoskey, Angie Way, has stepped back into the role of assistant director at the school.

McNamara said the transition has gone very smoothly “thanks to the dedicated individuals in the front office and educational staff.”

“I am looking forward to continuing to build connections with students, parents and staff this year,” she said.

As the first month of the new school year comes to a close, McNamara said her goals as director include “providing students with an environment that supports learning.”

“This includes receiving excellent instruction and behavioral support from some of the hardest working educators that I have ever had the pleasure of working with,” she said.