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
Scott is a graduate of Japhet School’s Class of 2002. He holds a concentration of Neuroscience and a minor in Medical Anthropology from the University of Michigan. Professionally, Scott is a Private Wealth Advisor and the Managing Partner of Flourish Financial Partners, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Scott and his wife Amanda live in Marquette, Michigan with their two daughters, Grace and Kate. Scott is a past District Governor for Rotary District 6220, an active member of the Marquette Breakfast Rotary Club, and an Officer of the Lake Superior Community Partnership, the Upper Peninsula’s leading economic development organization.
Click here to read the State of the School Report from the board president.
Sheila has provided academic leadership for more than four decades. With advanced education degrees and a school administration endorsement, her teaching assignments included work in New York, Boston, Texas, and Spain. She was employed at Japhet for 18 years, initially as a classroom teacher and eventually as Principal. Sheila served as Head of School at the Daycroft Montessori School in Ann Arbor and held the position of Lower School Head at the University Liggett School in Grosse Pointe before retiring.
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.
Kelly 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.
Bonnie served on the faculty of Oakland University for 25 years in the Department of Art History and the Center for International Programs. Her field was Japanese Art History, and she also taught Chinese Art History and created curriculum on the Arts of Asia and the Islamic World. She also offered seminars on Preserving World Monuments, an Introduction to Japan, Japanese Film and Japanese Women. Bonnie participated in training seminars for local businessmen, served as member and president of the Friends of Asian Art at the DIA, and gave numerous talks and presentations in the community on various topics related to Japan and Asian Art History. Bonnie came to know about Japhet through two members of her family who were Japhet students several years ago and who still speak very fondly of those years and the education they received.
Susie graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in General Business, and she and her husband, Bruce, have been involved with Japhet since its founding. Their two children were among the first students enrolled at Japhet when it opened its doors, and Susie helped to start the Preschool. Susie’s mother, Barbara Droege, and Bruce’s mother, Arline Hartman, both served on Japhet’s Board of Trustees. The Autens provide two annual merit scholarships to current Japhet School students in honor of their mothers.
Deb is a former board member, parent, and longtime friend of Japhet. Deb has been working with young people for over 35 years as a teacher, mentor, coach, youth leader, Sunday School teacher, and camp director at Adventure Unlimited Ranches. She currently lives in Grenada, a small island in the Caribbean, with her husband Phil, and taught in local elementary schools there for four years. Deb founded a non-profit in 2014 and she and Phil now teach swim lessons to the local children. More can be found about their programs at www.getgrenadaswimming.com
As an alumni parent of three boys that attended Japhet School, Julie has been a part of the Japhet School community for 40 years. Julie has served in many different roles over the years: that of parent, Development Director, and President of the Board of Trustees to name a few. Julie worked for many years in various aspects of the retail industry and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business. Julie currently holds the position of General Manager for an automotive wholesaler here in the Metro Detroit area.
As a former Japhet School student and a graduate of Principia Upper School and Principia College, Carol consistently benefitted from excellent, creative, and empowering educational instruction. As a parent, Carol collaborated with various independent school communities for 20 years, valuing the parent/teacher partnerships she formed in support of her two daughters’ educations. Carol has 15 years experience working for University Liggett School as the Lower School Divisional Coordinator; providing administrative support, facilitating classroom activities, and managing extra-curricular and co-curricular programs. Carol is passionate about creating equitable and inclusive learning communities and continues to expand her professional learning as a equity practitioner. She is currently a member of the ULS (faculty) Community Engagement and Belonging Council and a leader of the Lower School Changemakers, a student club that cultivates community and belonging. Carol lives in Grosse Pointe Park with her husband, two dogs, and a cat.
Cathy is a graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in Economics. She worked in the travel business before going to IBM where she worked around 30 years. She now volunteers for her church, travels, boats, enjoys her friends, and most of all enjoys playing with her grandson. She was married to Tom Samanen and their daughter (who previously was a board member of Japhet School) went to Japhet School from Preschool through 8th grade. She is very grateful for the education her daughter received at Japhet.
Michael is Vice President of Business Development for Flex, a global provider of electronics in Consumer Electronics, Medical, Automotive, Industrial and Communications in Farmington Hills, Michigan. As a Japhet School alum, Mr. Wooley understands the value of a Japhet education, preparing students to be leaders in the world while fostering excellence in academics and mastery in public speaking, problem solving and the knowledge that anything is possible. Mr. Wooley shares, “I believe Japhet was a key foundation in my life and that this foundation contributed to me being blessed to have enjoyed strong success in my life.” He also believes that service to his community is valuable and serves as an Auxiliary Police Officer in Birmingham and also as a mentor to inner city high school students.
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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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