Dr. Suchiraphon McKeithen-Polish

Professional Background:

• Macomb ISD Bilingual Education Program Director/Title III Consultant.
• President of the Thai-American Association of Michigan, providing support and leadership to the Thai and other Southeast Asian communities.
• Adjunct Professor at Wayne State University in Bicultural/Biliteracy Program in Education Department/School.
• Macomb A.C.T. (Diversity) Steering Committee Officer – One Macomb/Macomb County
• Council of Asian Pacific American (CAPA) member
• American Pacific American Chamber of Commerce (APACC) Strategic Planning Committee Member

Educational Background:

• Ph.D. Degree in Education, with a concentration in Educational Leadership, 2012
• Education Specialist – School Administration from Oakland University, 2007
• Michigan Professional Teacher License, with ESL/Bilingual endorsement, 2003
• MA in Curriculum & Instruction with ESL/Bilingual emphasis
from the University of Colorado at Denver, 2000
• Colorado Professional Teacher License, with ESL endorsement, 1993
• California teacher certification/license in Multilingual & Multicultural emphasis, with an ESL/Bilingual Language Development Specialist Certification from Sacramento State University, 1992
• BA in Political Science from San Francisco State University, 1987

Awards Received:

• Rise Beyond The Horizon – awarded at the Martin Luther King event in Macomb County, for working with diverse communities and student population, 2012
• Women Leadership Award – given by the International Institute of Metro Detroit, 2017
• Diversity Leadership Distinction – awarded by City of Sterling Heights, 2018
• Welcoming Michigan Certificate of Appreciation – awarded for my commitment to helping in making Macomb County more welcoming to all immigrants and refugees, 2018

Languages: Thai. Lao, English (proficiently); French & Creole (understand)

Personal Background:

I was born and raised in Thailand. When my mother remarried an American diplomat, my world has changed. Because of my father’s job, my family and I have traveled and lived in many countries, including Laos and Haiti. This has made a huge impact on my life and my career choice. I am fluent in 3 languages: Thai, English and Lao. While living in Haiti for 3 years, I studied French and continued to do so throughout high school and college. I am also familiar with Haitian Creole and Spanish. My passion has always been in culture, language and education. I am a lifelong learner. I have been in the educational field since 1984, working as a part-time after school program coordinator for San Francisco Chinatown Branch YMCA in California, while attending college.

I am married and have three daughters. My oldest daughter has a Ph.D. in Political Science and International Studies at the University of Southern California. My second daughter is an Engineer (MA), working in San Francisco. My youngest daughter is graduating in June 2020 from Utica Academy of International Studies. She will be attending U of M this fall, with full scholarships. I am truly blessed with an amazing family and a very loving spouse. Without their support, I wouldn’t have accomplished my goals. They have traveled by my side throughout my life journey.