Our Mission
Japhet School's mission is to nurture and prepare each child for life by integrating character education with a strong academic program.
“With each new year, we grow. We critique, we analyze, and we develop. I am proud that while we grow in program, we remain true to our mission. Japhet cherishes childhood, cultivates wonder, and inspires confident learners and leaders. We live our mission each day, and we think carefully about individuals. We differentiate, we are flexible, and we care. Often when schools focus on specifics, they forget to remain true to the greater good — the mission of the school. Japhet remains true.”
— Julie Knaffla, Former Board President and Alumni Parent
Susie is a graduate of the University of Michigan and has worked for AT&T, owned a catering business, and after a successful career at Xerox Corporation, she is happy to be at home with her two children. Susie is an active volunteer for her church and currently serves as the librarian in the Birmingham Christian Science Reading Room. Susie is the parent of both a Japhet alumnus and a current student. She actively participates in Japhet committee work and was especially helpful in helping Japhet School relocate to its new building.
Click here to read the most current State of the School address from the board president.
Susan Ellithorpe has dedicated her life to educating young children and being an advocate for peace education. She graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Early Childhood Education, Art History, and Spanish, and she holds a Master of Elementary Education from Wayne State University. She taught at Japhet School for 28 years, almost entirely in Kindergarten, and she is the parent of two Japhet School alumnae. She also has taught at Potomac School in Virginia, and currently teaches in Hartland. She founded Japhet School’s chapter of Kids for Peace, an international organization.
Joe is an alumni parent and a former Japhet School administrator
and faculty member. He and his wife, former Head of School Cathy Mohan, founded the Mohan Legacy Grant that paid off our primary mortgage in 2018, and they funded the Mohan Legacy Scholarship for students needing financial assistance. Joe is a retired firefighter, battalion chief, and fire inspector.
Dan is a Japhet alumnus. Dan works for a non-profit in Southwest Detroit, where he is involved in community outreach and economic development. He graduated from Wayne State University with a B.A. in Urban Studies and attended the University of Michigan for graduate school. He says it is because of his family’s gratitude for all Japhet has given him and his three siblings that he is compelled to give back.
Susie has a business degree from Western Michigan University, and she and her husband have been involved with Japhet since its founding. Their two children were among the first students enrolled, and Susie helped start the Preschool. Susie’s mother, Barbara Droege, and her mother-in-law, Arline Hartman, both served on Japhet’s board. Today the Autens provide two annual merit scholarships to hard-working students in honor of their mothers.
Molly, a Japhet alumna, earned an International Baccalaureate diploma as a member of the charter class of the International Academy High School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and went on to study international relations at Kalamazoo College. She spent more than a decade working at the headquarters of the National Geographic Society in Washington, DC in global publishing, brand stewardship, and travel and tourism. Molly designed travel experiences and oversaw talent management of explorers and photographers for National Geographic Expeditions—from adventure and conservation-themed expeditions to cultural trips and photography workshops on all seven continents. Her prior experience also includes integrated marketing strategy and graphic design, as well as programs that support experiential learning such as study abroad, outdoor education, youth leadership development, and athletics. Molly currently works in development and fundraising for the USA Triathlon Foundation, advancing a range of initiatives for youth, adaptive, and elite athletes, including Olympians and Paralympians. As a former collegiate athlete and assistant women’s soccer coach, she deeply values the power of sport to drive personal development, wellbeing, and global connection.
Kelly Mazurkiewicz is a graduate of Japhet School. She went on to earn her degree in advertising from Michigan State University and pursued her love for creativity in her career. Kelly served as the VP of Marketing and Communications at M3 Group, a Lansing-based advertising agency before recently making the transition to Michigan State University as the senior communications manager for the Office of the Provost. Kelly lives in East Lansing, and her hobbies include long walks with her dog and spending as much time as she can outdoors.
Stacey is the parent to a Japhet alumna and served on our Parent Support Group (PSG) Board for several years, including two as PSG President. She is a registered nurse with 26 years of experience. She holds a BSN from the University of Detroit Mercy, and currently works at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak doing cancer research. She has also worked as a consultant for start-up healthcare companies. Stacey enjoys baking, traveling, gardening, and volunteering for charity and community events.
Interested in learning more about enrolling your child in Japhet School?
Admissions InquiryJaphet School's mission is to nurture and prepare each child for life by integrating character education with a strong academic program.
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