Experts in Out-of-the-Box Learning
Welcome to Education, Designed with Intention
At AMPed Hybrid Academy, we know that the most powerful educational experiences are rooted in deep, trusting relationships. We believe that an exceptional, premium education cannot be delivered through a rigid, one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, our educators are far more than traditional instructors—they are designers of learning, mentors of identity, and co-creators of our vibrant community.
We deliberately cultivate an environment where students and teachers are true partners in the learning process. By ensuring every child feels profoundly safe and respected, our faculty empowers students to take the bold intellectual risks required to achieve exceptional academic growth.
The AMPed Educator: Guides, Mentors, and Innovators
With an intentionally small 12 student classrooms, our educators have the dedicated time, space, and bandwidth to truly know, understand, and champion your child. Our faculty members are highly qualified professionals; as a condition of employment, all teachers must hold teaching degrees or participate in Michigan’s non-traditional certification pathway, and are experienced in Project-Based Learning and Mastery-based Assessment.
We pride ourselves on hiring “Adaptive Experts” and “Creative Facilitators” who design dynamic, project-based experiences rather than relying on mass-produced worksheets or rote memorization. Our teachers are equity-minded advocates who honor neurodiversity, lived experiences, and individual learning differences as profound strengths. By maintaining a calm, emotionally safe, and deeply supportive classroom climate, our teachers empower students to ask brave questions, embrace iteration, and view failure simply as a step in the learning process.
Meet Our Leadership
Anne Marie Palazzolo
Founder, Principal, and Junior High Teacher
AMPed Hybrid Academy is led by its founder, Anne Marie Palazzolo, whose vision for a highly personalized, human-centered school came to life in 2023. Anne Marie brings over twenty years of dedicated experience working with children and adolescents across private instruction, community-based programs, homeschool cooperatives, and specialized educational and residential settings. She is a passionate advocate for students with diverse learning profiles, particularly neurodiverse learners, students with social-emotional needs, and those who have not been well served by rigid traditional school models.
Anne Marie holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Northern Michigan University, with certifications in Special Education (Emotional Impairment, K–12) and Elementary Education (K–8), as well as a minor in Mathematics. To further enrich the AMPed experience, she holds specialized training in project-based learning, nature-based science curricula, and professional crisis management. Her leadership ensures that our daily practices remain fiercely aligned with our mission to provide a premium, highly individualized education where every learner thrives.
Lori de Four
Assistant Principal and Upper Elementary Teacher
Lori is the parent of three neurodivergent children (ages 12 – 18) and considers herself their biggest champion and advocate. Lori received her BFA from the University of Michigan, and has done considerable coursework at Wayne State University towards her Masters of Arts in Teaching. Her learning and advocacy began out of necessity with her own children when their needs were not being understood, believed or met in their school communities – this experience has grown into a desire to ensure all non-traditional learners have access to educators who are both knowledgeable and equipped to help them reach their potential. Lori is excited to join her background in art and teaching with her passion of social emotional learning at AMPed Academy.
Patti Vassas
Lower Elementary Teacher
Patti is AMPed’s lower elementary teacher.
Alex Pollak
Teacher Assistant
Alex is a junior at Oakland University majoring in political science. He joined AMPed as a Business Entrepreneur Intern, interested in how business and public policy can combine to positively impact the community. Alex is now a teacher assistant, supporting our junior high students!
Beth Reske
Administrative Assistant
Hi I’m Beth, twin mom to two wildly curious 5-year-olds, navigating life one kid activity and snack refill at a time. I work in administrative support, where I strive to keep things organized, running smoothly, and support the team behind the scenes. Constantly on the look out for an efficient system and finding moments of calm amidst the busy. Surviving, thriving (depending on the day), and always showing up with a sense of humor and a really good to-do list.