ABOUT

Our Team

Leadership Team

Areli Garcia - Finance and Business Manager

Areli Garcia-Coozyleon

Director of Business Operations

Nicole Gize

Vice President of Development & Communications

Karla Gudiño

Principal

About Karla

Karla Gudiño grew up in Southwest Detroit. She earned her bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate from the University of Detroit Mercy in 2008. She majored in mathematics and minored in psychology. Karla’s dream was to teach in the neighborhood where she was raised. Fortunately, there was an opening at Detroit Cristo Rey High School, and she was offered a job in the math department. Karla has been with DCR since April 2009. She taught mathematics to all grade levels for more than nine years. She was promoted to assistant principal in 2019 and soon enrolled at Oakland University to earn a Master of Education in Educational Leadership degree. She earned her master’s degree in December 2020 and is now the principal of Detroit Cristo Rey High School.

Ines Leal

Director of Admissions

Pam Jackson - CWSP Vice President of Sales & Operations

Pamela Jackson

Vice President of Sales & Operations, Corporate Work Study Program

William R. McGrail

President

Luke Miller

Director of Operations/CTO

Faculty & Staff

Aya Aboumjir

Social Emotional Counselor

Jeremy Alexander

Campus Ministry, Theology Teacher

Maddison Baker

Title I Instructional Coach

About Maddison

Mrs. Baker lives on the eastside of Detroit with her husband and their two sons. She joined the Detroit Cristo Rey community in 2020 as a mathematics teacher and soccer coach. In 2025, after the birth of her second son, Mrs. Baker transitioned into the role of Title I Instructional Coach. In this position, she partners with STEM teachers to strengthen instructional practices and foster meaningful classroom experiences. Detroit Cristo Rey has been one of the biggest blessings in Mrs. Baker’s life.

Musa Bawa

Mathematics Teacher

Vanessa Brooks

Custodian

Qortez Brown

Alumni Support Coordinator

Maribel Bustamante

Director of College Counseling & Alumni Advising

Michael Cleary

Physical Education & Wellness Teacher

About Michael

Michael is a 5th year teacher at DCR and currently teaches Physical Education, Wellness, Weight Training and Yearbook. He attended Siena Heights University (Adrian, MI) earning his bachelor’s and then received his master’s degree from Lindenwood University (St. Charles, MO) with an MFA in Writing. He grew up in New Boston, MI and currently lives in Metro Detroit. In his spare time, Michael enjoys reading, Detroit sports, golfing, writing and playing hockey.

Tavira Davis

Business Manager

Tim Devine

English Teacher

About Tim

Tim Devine teaches Language Arts 9 and upper-level English courses. Tim returned to the classroom last year after about three decades of service as an attorney in Michigan. He is inspired by the creativity, the curiosity, and the kindness of today’s young people. He also recognizes that they face a lot of stresses that adults did not face in their teen years, including the relentless distraction of the cellphone and the destructive distortions of social media. Tim is a graduate of Harvard College and the University of Michigan Law School. He celebrates the work ethic and academic strength of Detroit Cristo Rey students. He also celebrates the extraordinary faculty of DCR for their high expectations of excellence in our students. Tim and his wife Julie have raised four amazing children.

Jessica Dietz

Art Teacher

James Dwyer

Latin & Mathematics Teacher

About Jim

Mr. Dwyer is a graduate of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (BA in Latin and History, 2011). He has spent his entire teaching career at Detroit Cristo Rey since 2011, and he has enjoyed seeing the development of the school and all the things DCR students and alumni have accomplished during his time here. He loves teaching students about the ancient world and imparting to students the importance of understanding the past in order to inform our understanding of the present. Mr. Dwyer also encourages students to take on leadership roles outside of the classroom in extracurricular activities like the Student Council and the Circle of Support, Detroit Cristo Rey’s Student-Led Immigration Justice group. Mr. Dwyer also helps coach the DCR softball team, and he keeps score at volleyball and basketball games. He recently completed his MA in Language Learning at Wayne State University (2020).

Maysin Gappy

Theology Teacher

About Maysin

Maysin is very blessed to be part of the Detroit Cristo Rey family. After he received his bachelor’s from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, he began teaching theology full-time at DCR. Prior to DCR, Maysin was teaching 7th grade Catechism for six years at National Shrine of the Little Flower in Royal Oak, Mich. Maysin comes from a Chaldean background, which belongs to the Eastern Rite of the Catholic Church. He is very grateful for the opportunity to bring young hearts towards the truth at DCR. When not in the classroom, Maysin enjoys hanging out with family and friends.

Laura Garcia

CWSP Interventionalist

About Laura

Laura graduated from the University of Detroit Mercy in May 2021. She immigrated from Mexico at the age of two, settled in Southwest Detroit, and has lived here ever since. Detroit is home, and she believes that educating future generations is the best way that she can contribute to the growth of her community. She is committed to ensuring students gain meaningful, real-world work experience before graduating high school, helping them build the professional skills, confidence, and workplace habits needed for success in college and beyond.

Martha Garcia

Custodian

Rosa Gutierrez

Parent Coordinator

Anna Guzman

Parent Support Specialist

Chenetta Hairston

Front Desk Receptionist

Andre Hearn

Parking Lot Security

Diane Huanosta

Business Office Assistant

Matthew Hynes

Social Studies Teacher

Brittany Lovin

Director of Operations & Training, CWSP

About Brittany

Ms. Lovin is a Southwest Detroit native. She graduated from Grand Valley State University in 2012 where she received a Bachelor’s of Science in Health Professions and also became a member of Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority Incorporated. Her goal as Director of Operations & Training for the Corporate Work Study Program is to retain corporate partners committed to the personal and professional growth of Detroit Cristo Rey’s students. She believes that giving students early access to employment at local businesses endows our students with the skills necessary to compete in college and the corporate world and provides our community business owners with a valuable and unmatched talent pipeline of intelligent, hardworking and diverse employees.

Paul Mayer

Science & Adv. Podcasting Teacher

Ann McGowan

Science Teacher

Camila Mendez

Parent Coordinator

Noemi Miramontes

Purchasing & Grant Specialist

Elvia Murga-Zeno

Director of Social Emotional Counseling

About Elvia

Elvia joined Detroit Cristo Rey September 2021 after moving to Michigan from San Diego, CA. Elvia was born in Mexicali, B.C, Mexico and immigrated to California when she was eight years old. She grew up in Calexico, CA, a small rural city which borders Mexico, where she developed an interest in human rights and social advocacy. She is passionate about mental health equity and has spent the past 7 years working with the Latinx community providing mental health services. Elvia obtained a B.S. in Psychology and a M.S. in Counseling from San Diego State University. In her free time, Elvia enjoys gardening, community organizing, traveling, and spending time with her husband and their two dogs, Akuma and Luna.

Matthew Newcomb

Spanish Teacher

Brandon Peoples

Athletic Director

About Brandon

Brandon Peoples, Sr. is a proud alumnus of Detroit Holy Redeemer High School and currently serves as the Athletic Director at Detroit Cristo Rey High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from Grand Valley State University and his master’s degree in Sports Administration from Wayne State University.

During his 12 years at Detroit Cristo Rey, Brandon has served in a variety of roles, including Athletic Director, Admissions Officer, and Dean of Students. Before taking on expanded leadership responsibilities, he served as the Head Varsity Boys Basketball Coach for eight years, where he helped develop student-athletes through accountability, teamwork, discipline, and personal growth.

Brandon is passionate about using athletics and education to help students become confident leaders and responsible young adults. His experience as a coach and school administrator continues to shape his commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for students both inside and outside the classroom.

Outside of school, Brandon enjoys attending Detroit Pistons games and spending quality time with his family. To Brandon, Detroit Cristo Rey is more than a school, it is a special place filled with special people. The school’s mission, strong relationships, and commitment to helping students reach their full potential make the Detroit Cristo Rey community truly exceptional.

Sara Porter

Social Studies Teacher

Maria Rangel

Mathematics Title 1 Teacher & Head of the Mathematics Department

About Maria

Maria Rangel is a proud class of 2014 graduate who returned to her alma mater to teach mathematics. Inspired by her experience tutoring peers in high school, she pursued a career in education and earned her degree from the University of Michigan–Dearborn in 2021. She will be teaching AP Precalculus, Statistics, and Trigonometry and recently stepped into a new leadership role as Head of the Mathematics Department. She also serves as the Advisor for the Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars Program, guiding students as they prepare for college and future careers.

Kimberly Redigan

Director of Campus Ministry

About Kimberly

Kim returned to Southwest Detroit as DCR’s Director of Campus Ministry in 2023. Before joining the DCR family, she taught at Holy Redeemer High School and University of Detroit Jesuit High School. Kim graduated from the University of Michigan-Dearborn with a B.A. in English and holds a Masters in Religious Studies from University of Detroit Mercy and a Masters in Social Justice from Marygrove College. Kim loves walking with students as they grow spiritually, intellectually, and socially in service to others. As campus minister, she works closely with students advocating for immigrant justice through DCR’s Circle of Support and with DCR’s Environmental Justice Club. Outside of school, Kim volunteers as a nonviolence trainer and human rights advocate. She is an avid reader, writer, and swimmer.

Sydney Redigan

Assistant Principal of Academics

About Sydney

Syndey joined Detroit Cristo Rey High School in 2015 after receiving her Master of Arts in Teaching at Wayne State University. As a native Detroiter and a Catholic school graduate, she was drawn to work at Detroit Cristo Rey because of its strong community and its foundation of spirituality, service and meaningful learning experiences. Sydney enjoys working with her students to not only prepare them for college, but to also create opportunities for self-expression, critical thinking and exploration of cultural knowledge.

Sydney previously worked for six years as a Marketing and Communications Coordinator for the Wayne State University College of Engineering, gaining experience in writing, editing and publishing. In addition to her M.A.T., she also has a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in film and media studies from Wayne State University.

Hillary Sesi

Director of Student & Family Life

About Hillary

Hillary Sesi joined Detroit Cristo Rey in September 2014 as the school counselor for all grade levels. She currently serves as the Director of School Counseling and counselor to grades 11 and 12. She received her Bachelor of Social Work from Oakland University and her Master of Social Work from Wayne State University. Hillary is passionate about providing mental health support to teens and is an advocate for accessible mental health resources. As a daughter of immigrant parents from Iraq, she knows many of the struggles that first-generation students experience and many of the challenges they take on. It is her goal to help empower students and families during high school and beyond.

Beyond her career, her desire to help others is met through actively volunteering for various organizations and fundraisers. To date, she has raised $25,000 for different causes. In her free time, she also enjoys spending time with her niece and nephews, listening to music, trying new recipes and reading. Hillary has many roles in her life, being an aunt is her favorite one.