Why We’re Grateful For TPS

A Thanksgiving Thanks

As Thanksgiving approaches, I feel it’s time to take a break from criticism to discuss what is right and good in this community. 2025 will be a new year, and we will head into it with some new faces in leadership. There are many reasons to give thanks, so I’ll list a few of my own reasons.

First, I’m grateful for Lynne Davis. The first time Holly and I attended a board meeting together, Lynne went out of her way to welcome us, and thank us for being there. At our first meet and greet for board candidates, Lynne and I had wonderful conversations about projects she wanted to work on to give our high schoolers the best shot at a quality career. Beyond pleasant conversations, I’m grateful to Lynne for her advice. At times when my race for the partial term seat got a bit spicy, Lynne cautioned me as a friend. I appreciated her wisdom, and I’m encouraged to know the new board will benefit from her kindness as I have.

I’m grateful for Mr. Hilton, who has done a wonderful job so far. Credit where credit is due, the current board hit one out of the park by hiring him. The amount of stress in that job is unbelievable, yet he still finds time to be out in the community, to meet with community members in his office, and to make videos of our schools in action. His mantra of “telling the story” of Tecumseh is exactly what this town needs. And special thanks to both Mr. Hilton and Victor Pratt for being so supportive of our live-streaming initiative. The board will begin live-streaming starting next year!

I’m grateful for Mary Tommelein. We disagreed at times during the election, but I still have tremendous respect for her service to this community. I am particularly grateful for her service all those years as a school counselor. While we’ve never formally met, I’ve seen Mary at TMS visiting the kids on Saint Patrick’s Day, serving pancakes to veterans, and active in her Kiwanis club. As she steps down from the board this year, she can look back proudly on years of service to Tecumseh, and I know this community is grateful to her for it.

I am eternally grateful for Mrs. Kobus, Mr. Matt, and Ms. Michelle in the LISD classroom at THS. Many people don’t know this, but our son, who is severely on the ASD spectrum and non-verbal, did not always live with us. In January, 2023, he was abandoned by his mother at a hospital in Florida. The transition to Michigan (which he could not, and did not understand), was a nightmare for him. Mrs. Kobus’s class was the light in the darkness, and remains his happy place. The dedication and commitment her staff showed to my son was far beyond what he would have received elsewhere, by many accounts. It is entirely possible that he is still alive thanks to them. Words cannot express how grateful we are.

Finally, I am grateful for Trisha, Kris, and the entire staff at Tecumseh Middle School. When we arrived in Tecumseh, Holly had just recovered from cancer and Stella was having a hard time missing her friends in California. The staff went out of their way to welcome Stella. The level of dedication and professionalism we’ve experienced at that school is second to none. They truly embody the “Every Student, Every Day” mantra. We always knew we were in good hands at TMS, and we’re so grateful for it.

Dissent is a crucial part of our republic, and our community. We won’t always agree, nor should we. If everyone is thinking alike, no one is thinking. Still, it is important to break from debate and recognize each other as community members, as fellow parents, neighbors, and even friends. We consider ourselves fortunate to have met so many good people during the last year via the campaign or at school events. Holly and I are grateful for this community and what it has provided our family. Thank you.