Staff Directory

I am very excited to be working on a great team at the Elk Rapids High School and as part of Elk Rapids Public Schools.  I am happily married to Erin and have two children--Cole and Abby.  I graduated from Elk Rapids High School in 1990.  I have an Elementary Education degree from Alma College and a Masters Degree in Administration from Grand Valley State University.  I enjoy sports, the water, movies, and reading.  Go Elks!

Hi, I'm Elk Rapids High School's School Counselor! I was born and raised in Southern CA, but have happily called Northern MI home for the past 9 years. I have my Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Spanish from the University of Redlands and my Master's degree in Counselor Education from Western Michigan University. My husband & I have a great dog, Theo, and a happy baby boy, Owen. Working at ERHS for the past 6 years has been a dream. Go Elks!

At-Risk Counselor

Hello!  My name is Nick Anderson and I teach band at Cherryland Middle School and Elk Rapids High School.  This year will be my 10th year of teaching and 8th year at Elk Rapids Schools.  I attended Central Michigan University where I received my Bachelor of Science (Music), Bachelor of Music Education, and Master of Music (Performance) degrees.  I enjoy boating, running, swimming, skiing, reading, and spending time with my awesome family!  I am married to my wonderful wife, Stephanie, and we have two beautiful daughters, Madeline (age 9) and Eleanor (age 5) - plus we have a dog, Zuko!

I teach in the English and Social Studies departments; this is my twenty-second year of teaching high school, my twenty-first at ERHS. I have a Bachelor of Arts in the History of Art, a Bachelor of Arts in English and Education, and a Master of Arts in Humanities degree. I have loved visual and language arts for as long as I can remember, and especially enjoy combining these perspectives in the classroom. My husband Chad is also a teacher, and we live in Traverse City. I look forward to another great year at ERHS! GO ELKS!!!

My name is Colleen Burry and I am the Online Learning Coordinator. This is my sixth year at ERHS and my third year as the Dance Squad Coach. I am also a co-advisor for both Student Senate and the 2025 Class Council.  My husband (Jordan) and I have two daughters (Emily and Eleanor), a dog, a cat, and an axolotl. 

Keith has been teaching for the past 23 years and this is his 8th year at Elk Rapids.  He has taught business classes, health and physical education.  He currently is focused on strength and conditioning classes at Elk Rapids High School and the creation of the new weight room. He enjoys showing up and working with youth on a daily basis and enjoys all outdoor activities and sports.  When not coaching a sport he is busy adventuring with his family and trying to find the highest point to hike in each state.

Mr. Marquardt teaches AP World History, Personal Finance, The Stock Market, Criminal and Civil Law.   He is currently in his 25th year of teaching at Elk Rapids High School.  Mr. Marquardt's family includes his wife Katie, daughters Alexis and Morgan, and their two golden retrievers, Maizy and Nala.  

I live in Kewadin. I am a lifelong Elk that loves the outdoors, spending time with family and friends, music, disc golf, cooking, reading and teaching Spanish at ERHS (since 2002). 

Hello, my name is Erin Paxson, this year I will teach special education at ERHS. I have teaching degrees in art and special education grades K-12. This will be my third year teaching in the Elk Rapids school district. I am excited to work with an amazing group of students this year!