skip to main content

Hartland High School

Hartland High School
placeholder for top bar

Principal

Administrative Staff

Administrative Staff

 
Principal  James Fitzgerald
Assistant Principal  A-G
 JD Wheeler
 Assistant Principal H-P  Tom Ureche
 Dean of Students Q-Z Jessica Guss
 Athletic Director  Brian Hassler 
 

James Fitzgerald

Wayne State University, Bachelor of Science in Education with a major in Science and a minor in Physical Education.  University of Michigan Dearborn, Masters in Educational Leadership, Administrative Certificate.  
 
James graduated from Dearborn Heights Crestwood High School in 2000.  After earning his undergraduate degree, he began his teaching career in 2006 with Garden City Public Schools for a year, followed by 9 years with Wayne Westland Community Schools.  As a classroom teacher, James taught a wide variety of science and physical education courses in grades 6-12.  During that time he also had the opportunity to earn his masters in educational leadership, complete an administrative internship, and coach multiple high school sports.  In 2016, James became the Assistant Principal at Fowlerville Junior High School where he spent five years.  James then spent the past 2 school years as an Assistant Principal at Hartland High School and is currently in his 1st year as the Principal of Hartland High School.      

JD Wheeler

Central Michigan University, Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with a minor in History, Oakland University Masters of Science in Educational Studies. 

JD graduated in 1997 from Laker High School in Pigeon Michigan. After earning his degree and playing baseball for Central Michigan University, JD briefly played in the minor leagues for the Milwaukee Brewers organization. He began his career in education teaching physical education at Grand Blanc High School in the fall of 2005. In addition to teaching at Grand Blanc for 10 years, JD was also the Varsity Baseball coach for 9 years. JD joined Hartland High School’s administrative team as the Athletic Director in 2015. JD is now in his first year as an Assistant Principal at Hartland High School.     

Tom Ureche

Central Michigan University, Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with a minor in Health Education, Saginaw Valley State University Masters of Education, Educational Leadership.  Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals Path to Leadership, K-12 Administrative Certificate.

Tom graduated in 1999 from Swartz Creek High School, in Swartz Creek, Michigan. After earning his undergraduate degree, he began his teaching career in 2004 in Mt. Morris Consolidated School district as an elementary physical education teacher. While in Mt. Morris, Tom also taught high school physical education and health, worked as a restorative justice coordinator, online learning coordinator, and assistant principal. After 14 years, Tom left Mt. Morris to become the principal of Morrice Jr/Sr High School in Morrice, MI. Tom is now in his fourth year as an Assistant Principal at Hartland High School.    

Brian Hassler

University of Detroit Mercy, Bachelor of Science with a double major in Athletic Training and English, Concordia University Irvine Masters of Arts in Coaching and Athletic Administration. 
 
Brian graduated in 1993 from Sandusky High School in Sandusky, Michigan. After earning his degree from the University of Detroit Mercy, He began his career in educational athletics as an athletic trainer at Bishop Foley in the fall of 1997. In addition to being an athletic trainer at Bishop Foley for 18 years, Brian also coached track and boys basketball before taking over as the Athletic Director in 2015. In 2020, Brian took over as the Athletic Director for Rochester Adams where he worked for 3 years. Currently, Brian is serving on Hartland High School’s administrative team as the Athletic Director, a role that he has been in since the summer of 2023.