The GLB Instructional Team

The Great Lakes Bay Instructional Consortium includes Bay-Arenac ISD, Clare-Gladwin RESD, Gratiot-Isabella RESD, Midland ESA, and Saginaw ISD. Over the last four years, the Instructional Directors and Assistant Superintendents have come together to discuss challenges, solutions, and how to be the most effective service providers. Though the work is continuously changing, the partnerships are everlasting. 

The purpose behind the collaboration is to work smarter not harder, to bounce ideas off of each other and to learn from each other's mistakes and successes. A number of projects that are regularly discussed include Educator Evaluation, Math in the Mail, Literacy, and STEM. In addition, each member serves on a number of statewide committees and activities to ensure that the region receives the most up-to-date information possible. Such committees include General Education Leadership Network Executive Committee, Math Task Force, 6-12 Literacy Task Force, MDE #GoOpen Strategy Team, MTSS Transformation Zone and more.

The team members also attend and are very active in the General Education Leadership Network (GELN). This organization, as part of the Michigan Association of Intermediate School District Administrators (MAISA), meets monthly to collaborate and problem-solve legislation, instructional and compliance mandates, as well as best practices throughout the state. GELN has a number of tasks force dedicated to improving and supporting schools.

Deborah Snyder

Deborah Snyder is the Assistant Superintendent for General Education at Clare-Gladwin Regional Education Service District.  Deborah is responsible for oversight of Instructional Services; Data and Special Projects; Early Childhood and Family Services; REMC5; 21st Century Community Learning Center (After-School) Programs; and professional learning and State and Federal Program updates for area superintendents and principals. 

Previous positions include Coordinator for General Education, during which time she designed and implemented student programs, wrote grants, and provided professional learning to teachers in the areas of English/Language Arts and Early Childhood; elementary principal/Title I director for Montabella Community Schools; preschool director; and elementary teacher.  Professional memberships include the Michigan School Improvement Facilitator Network, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Michigan General Education Leadership Network (current chair), and a former member of the Michigan Information and Education Management Board of Directors and MDE MI-Continuous School Improvement Committee.

Dr. Kathy Peasley

Kathy Peasley is the Associate Superintendent for Instruction at Gratiot Isabella RESD. Prior to coming to GIRESD in 2014, she was the Assistant Superintendent for the Grand Ledge Public Schools for 10 years, and also served as its Interim Superintendent for 15 months. Dr. Peasley has also served as the Interim Director of the Science/Mathematics/ Technology Center at Central Michigan University, adjunct teacher education faculty at CMU and MSU, and as a consultant with SAMPI at Western Michigan University.  Additionally, she was the NSF Internal Evaluation Consultant for the Midland Public Schools Science Resources Center for 8 years. 

​Dr. Peasley is an alumnus of Michigan State University where she received her Ph.D. in Curriculum, Teaching and Educational Policy.  She also holds a master’s degree in biology education from Central Michigan University and undergraduate degrees in Biology and Industrial Chemical Technology from Ferris State University.


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Rebekah Hornak

Rebekah Hornak is currently the Director of Instructional Services at the Saginaw Intermediate School District and has been with the SISD since 2014.  Prior to her role at the SISD she held the position of K-12 Curriculum Director and Middle School Principal at Freeland Community Schools. In addition, she spent three years as the Durand High School Assistant Principal and Athletic Director.  As part of her current role as the Director of Instructional Services, Rebekah Hornak is responsible for a wide variety of programs that impacts various demographics throughout the county. Her department oversees the Great Lakes Bay Early College, Saginaw County Juvenile Detention Center, and the Holy Cross McGivney School for foster youth.  Her personal goal is to empower every educator in the county one step at a time. Rebekah holds a Bachelor Degree from Central Michigan University in History and English with an emphasis in secondary teaching and a Master Degree from Central Michigan University in School Principalship.
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John W. Mertz

John W. Mertz is the Director of Instructional Services at Bay-Arenac ISD.  Mr. Mertz has been with BAISD since 2014.  In this role, he serves on several local and state committees including the Bay Area Chamber Business and Education Partnership Steering Committee, the State Board of Education Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC), the Michigan ASCD Board of Directors, and the Michigan Department of Education #GoOpen Strategic Team.

Prior to joining BAISD, John worked for the Essexville-Hampton Public Schools for 20 years serving as the superintendent, assistant superintendent, curriculum director, state & federal programs director, and a junior high social studies teacher. 

Mr. Mertz strives to provide outstanding communications to all constituents and his driving force is to bring back the pride and respect for our profession while providing our educators with the resources and support needed to be successful.