About MARC
The Montcalm Area Reading Council (MARC), through dedicated volunteers, community partners and resources, provides free literacy education to benefit the greater Montcalm County area. Since 1986, MARC has helped people improve their literacy skills and learn English. Through customized, individual tutoring, MARC learners acquire critical skills needed to become more confident and self-sufficient. Volunteer tutors work with learners to reach achievable life goals:
- Get a driver’s license
- Read mail, recipes, or prescriptions
- Find or keep a job
- Vote
- Read to children
- Pursue continued education
Amanda Lee
Executive Director
Amanda Lee has lived in Montcalm County nearly all her life. She is a graduate of Central Michigan University, where she obtained her degree in political science with a minor in journalism. She worked in the newspaper industry as a writer and editor before becoming the development director for Have Mercy. She joined MARC as Executive Director in January of 2022.
Board Of Directors
Jamie Hansen-Hopkins
Chairperson
Jamie Hansen is a lifelong resident of Montcalm County. She has resided in Stanton, Gowen and Langston. She currently lives in Sheridan. She is Academic Advisor/Assistant Professor at Ferris State University. She has 25 years of teaching experience with an emphasis in helping those struggling to read and write. She spends much of her free time with her children. She enjoys watching her son play basketball, tending to the flowers in her yard, hiking, listening to audiobooks or reading.
Jane Anderson Beach
Vice-Chairperson
Jane Anderson Beach is a lifelong resident of the Edmore area. Jane attended Montcalm Community College and Central Michigan University. She retired after a thirty-one year teaching career helping students with learning differences and is still very much committed to helping others reach their maximum potential. In retirement, Jane is active in several organizations, including CASA, the MCC Foundation Board, and MARC. In her spare time, Jane enjoys spending time with her dogs, traveling, and reading.
Shirley Pyle
Secretary
Shirley Pyle has had two careers – one in journalism and another in human services; she graduated from Central Michigan University and has lived in mid-Michigan ever since. Shirley retired from the State of Michigan, Department of Human Services, and continues to see the importance reading and education have in lifting our community and strengthening us as individuals. Shirley’s hobbies include reading, writing, paddling, and traveling.
Stef Reed
Treasurer
Stefanie Reed is the Director of the Flat River Community Library. She grew up in Lowell and went to Central Michigan University to get her Bachelor’s in English. She went on to get an MFA in Writing from University of Colorado-Boulder and a Masters of Library Information Science from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. She has been a librarian, originally in youth services, for the past four years, but she has been a librarian at heart her whole life. She lives in Greenville with her husband and two sons. She is an avid reader of mysteries, young adult fiction, history and true crime.
Cheryl Smith
Member
Cheryl Smith lives in Howard City. She has been the director of the Timothy C. Hauenstein Reynolds Township Library for nearly 20 years. Prior to that, she worked at Head Start as a center director and eventually an area coordinator. She is also a trustee on the Howard City Village Council.
Bob Ferrentino
Member
Bob Ferrentino is a current MARC learning coach.He is also the President Emeritus of Montcalm Community College and active in many other volunteer organizations. He has more than 25 years of membership in the Rotary Club and a history of leadership roles in various community organizations, including the Danish Festival and Montcalm County Habitat for Humanity.
Nancy Kroesing
Member
Nancy Kroesing lives in Greenville with her daughter Annie. Nancy helped build her house a few years ago with Montcalm County Habitat for Humanity. Nancy and Annie have a garden and plant tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, broccoli, lettuce and onions. Nancy works as a CNA and was tutored through MARC in the past.
Flat River Community Library
200 W Judd Street, Greenville, MI 48838