Katie Dorband
Katie Dorband comes to TK with a wealth of administrative experience. For the last eight years she has served as high school counselor, District MTSS Coordinator, and Assistant Principal at Caledonia High School. “I felt ready for the next step, but I wanted to make sure it was with the right community. From my very first conversations with TK staff, students, parents, and community members, I felt an immediate connection. It was clear that my skillset and leadership style were a great fit for this district. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and so excited to be a Trojan!”
Dorband said building connections is important. “I’m really looking forward to building the strong relationships that will help us keep the district's tradition of excellence alive and well. At the end of the day, my heart is in supporting our students as they figure out their next best steps and making sure we are guiding them to grow into healthy individuals who are ready to go out and make a positive difference in the world.”
“More than anything, I am just so excited to get to know the people and the wonderful traditions that make TK what it is.”
She and her husband have lived in Caledonia for the last eight years with their three sons (all in high school) and two dogs. Her husband teaches elementary PE in Grand Rapids.
Dorband said she loves visiting family in Colorado and being near the mountains. “When I'm not at school, you can usually find me tackling a DIY project around the house, out walking my dogs, or cheering my kids on in whatever they love doing.”
Addie Rose
Addie Rose comes to TK with leadership experience, most recently serving as a Secondary Principal at Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, leading the middle school, high school and alternative campus buildings.
“What drew me most to Thornapple Kellogg Middle School is the district's reputation for supporting both strong academic achievement and a supportive community culture. Middle school is such a pivotal, transformative time for students, and I wanted to be part of a team that genuinely values the whole child. From the moment I stepped onto campus, it was clear that TKMS is a place where staff, students, and families work together to create something special. I knew right away that I wanted to bring my passion for middle-level education to this wonderful community.”
Rose earned her undergraduate degree in Special Education from Hope College and has a Master’s degree in School Administration and Learning Technologies. Currently, she is a PhD Candidate at Western Michigan University where her research focuses on the impacts of Artificial Intelligence in education.
“Without a doubt, I am most looking forward to building relationships with our students, staff and families. I cannot wait to get into the hallways and classrooms, collaborate with our talented staff, and connect with TKMS families. I am excited to learn about what makes this school great, while also looking for meaningful ways to support our students as they discover who they are and achieve their full potential.”
“I am thrilled to bring both my passion for leadership and my love for learning to the TKMS community!”
Rose and her husband, Jordan, have two sons, Crew (7) and Tate (4). “When I am not at school, you can usually find me outside gardening, doing yoga, or indoor cycling. As a family, we love spending our summers at the lake, swimming and fishing all season long!”
Danny Thompson
Danny is a familiar face and name to the district. He is returning to TK where he taught high school history classes from 2017-2021. Most recently he's been the Dean of Students at Lakeshore High School in Stevensville for the past two years and taught history classes there for three years. He started his teaching career at St. Cloud High School in Florida in 2013 and stayed there for four years.
Thompson said he is excited to return to Thornapple Kellogg Schools where he already knows the culture and traditions. “Coming back to TK is an opportunity to return home to my family and friends. I am excited to have a positive impact on the school district that gave so much to me during my own time here.”
“I am really looking forward to collaborating with my new colleagues and bringing the knowledge and experience I ‘ve gained throughout my career to the Middle School team.”
Thompson loves spending time with his wife, Sarah (TK class of 2004), and watching their son, Lincoln, grow. “Outside of family time, I love coaching and watching sports - especially football. You can also frequently find me enjoying a good history book or podcast, hitting the golf course or spending some time fishing.”