Skip To Main Content

Staff Directory

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Why BCS?

SPECIAL UPDATE - You're Invited to our Birmingham Covington School Open House! This event takes place Sunday, December 7th from 1-3:00 pm at Birmingham Covington School. Come explore our innovative learning spaces and meet our amazing staff!

 

🎥 Informational / Promotional Videos

 

📝 Application for Lottery

Application Opens November 3rd (mark your calendar)

 

📰 Press

 

🌍 Global and Real-World Learning

  • BCS Robotics: Finished 2nd and 3rd place at the 2025 Robofest Regional Competition.
  • Jordan Long (7th Grade): Placed 8th at the 2025 Junior Olympics in Houston, Texas (200m sprint), earning All-American status.
  • Featured by Edutopia: Birmingham Covington – Building a Student-Centered School.
  • 3rd/4th graders lead Hydroponic Gardening, a Character.org Promising Practice, exploring the nutrient cycle hands-on.
  • Advanced Research & Design Lab (2018): Students in grades 3–8 access 3D printers, laser engravers, and digital fabrication tools.
  • Mobile Makerspace brings high-tech innovation into all classrooms.
  • Annual Make Share Faire celebrates design, creativity, and collaboration.
  • Recognized by GreatSchools.org as one of “The 50 Best Middle Schools in the U.S.”
  • Experiential Field Trips: Detroit Historical Museum, DIA, Holocaust Memorial Center, Ford Rouge Factory, Mexicantown, and more.
  • 7/8 Trips: Washington D.C. and Key Largo alternating years.
  • 5/6 Trips: Colonial Williamsburg and Virginia Beach.
  • Faculty presentations at the Microsoft Education Global Forum in Barcelona, Spain.

 

📊 Measured Academic Achievement

  • Engineering Technology and design-based courses (Engage and Thinkering Studio) for all 3–8 students.
  • Host of the Cobra Invitational Science Olympiad Tournament, with 300+ students from 13+ schools.
  • Math Pentathlon Team: Multiple state medalists and honors.
  • GeoBee & Debate: State semifinalists and 2nd place in the 2018 Middle School State Debate Championship.
  • Art & Music: Student representation at District Art Show and MSBOA Solo & Ensemble Festival.
  • Daily Choice Hour Enrichment expands academic and creative opportunities.
  • Reading programs: Battle of the Books and Birbery foster literacy and collaboration.

 

💛 Global Citizens of Character

  • Re-certified as a National School of Character by Character.org.
  • Promising Practices: Hydroponics, Walk for Fitz, and Make-a-Connection programs.
  • 8th graders participate annually in Challenge Day to build empathy and inclusion.
  • Diversity Committee Panels explore identity, empathy, and community understanding.
  • Service Learning Trips: Puerto Rico (2015), New Orleans (2017), and Costa Rica (2019).
  • The “Fitz Hive” reading corner and student artwork celebrate beloved BCS educators.

 

🤝 Collaboration and Teamwork

  • MDE Grant: Integration of Minecraft Education Edition for student-driven learning.
  • Supported by PTSA and Proud Dads, offering Career Day, Eat-and-Run lunches, and Intramural Athletics.
  • Athletics include soccer, basketball, cross country, swimming, volleyball, tennis, and track & field.
  • STRIDE and Girls on the Run clubs run the annual YMCA 5K.
  • Robotics and engineering Choice Hours connect students to college-level competitions like Robofest.
  • Exemplary SL21 Status from the Library of Michigan.
  • Annual school musicals: My Son Pinocchio Jr., Once Upon a Mattress, High School Musical Jr.
  • Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes outstanding community support.

 

🌱 Service Learning and Environmental Stewardship

  • School theme: “Learn Globally, Serve Locally.”
  • Ongoing partnership with a village in Zambia through Project COPE.
  • Earth Week: Focus on sustainability and green living.
  • Salmon in the Classroom: Hands-on biology with Michigan DNR.
  • Friends of the River Rouge: Annual data collection and stewardship projects.
  • Student-led service projects support Lighthouse, DRAW, Project Warm Winters, Disabled American Veterans, and more.

 

🏆 Leadership and Recognition

  • Hosts 20+ educational visits annually from national and international schools.
  • 7/8 Leadership Team: Promotes the BCS Touchstone and character education.
  • Faculty Awards:
    • Mat Brown – BEA/Dr. Francis S. Randahl Educator Excellence Award.
    • Leon Braisted – National Boys Golf Coach of the Year Finalist; Michigan Interscholastic Golf Association Hall of Fame.
    • Jessica Heckman – Henry Ford Teacher Innovator Award Grand Prize; LEGO Master Educator Ambassador.
    • Rick Joseph – Michigan Teacher of the Year (2015); TED Speaker; NCTE LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee Member.
    • Chris Manchester – OAA Blue Division Coach of the Year.
    • Ann Truesdell – Featured in Character.org Inspiring Character magazine.
    • Jessie Heckman, Chris Emmi, Amanda Husband – Henry Ford Teacher Fellows.
  • Presentations at major conferences: ISTE, MACUL, Microsoft Global Forum, Galileo Leadership Consortium, The Governor’s Education Summit.
  • Student Leadership: BCS Ambassadors, Spirit Committee, Peer Mentorship, and LINKS programs.
  • BCS Staff crowned BPS Kickball Tournament Champions in 2016 and 2018.