St. Jude School at 1120 4 Mile Rd NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 US - Mrs. Christine Grabiel

My name is Christine Ann Grabiel. I began teaching at St. Jude in 1984. Prior to that, I taught at St. Francis Xavier School for 5 years and Blessed Sacrament School for 2 years. I was blessed with a beautiful daughter, Marlee Marie, in 1980 so I took some time off to be with her before she entered school. When my daughter was 2 years old, my husband and I opened a music studio in Belmont, MI. I became the office manager and secretary of the Grabiel Music Studio where students were taught music lessons and received various kinds of tutoring. I attended Catholic Elementary School and Catholic High School in Detroit. I am a graduate of Aquinas College with a major in English, a minor in Sociology and an equivalency minor in Music. After teaching Junior High for 7 years, I attended Michigan State University where I earned additional credits so I could teach lower elementary levels. My work history extends over a variety of experiences. When I was 8 years old I began working at my parents' restaurant in Detroit. I worked there during my elementary years doing everything from washing dishes to making pizza and breading fish. This was a family operation and my siblings and I learned cooperation at a very young age. "Togetherness" was a treasure and I am grateful for that gift. During High School I helped my dad run a pizzeria every day after school and on weekends. I took orders, made pizza and made deliveries. I have also worked as a secretary in an Insurance Company, worked in a family owned meat market, worked for a Pharmaceutical Company, and cleaned offices at College. My hobbies include playing the drums and guitar, walking in Grand Haven to count the number of yachts I cannot afford, biking, tennis, bowling, reading, writing children's books, traveling and listening to jazz.

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