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Yep, She Was That Kid in Middle School

Meet Your Assistant Principal & Athletic Director: Abby Kanitz

School: West Middle

Other positions you have held in education: I was high school science teacher and competitive cheer and girls track and field coach at Thornapple Kellogg High School for 10 years.

How about jobs outside education? I worked in a factory the summer out of high school, worked at a restaurant throughout my stay at MSU, and worked in medical records at Spectrum Health for five years during summers.

Spouse/children: Brent is my husband and we have four children: Miles, 5; Elle, 4; Graham, 3; and Caden, 1.

Hobbies/Interests/Little-known talent: I love being with my family. I have three siblings and six nieces and nephews. My parents live on a lake and we all spend a lot of time together. I enjoy running and I love all things sports.

What kind of kid were you at the age of students at this new school? When I was in middle school I was a driven student. I wanted A’s! And I can specifically remember being in class, waiting for tests to be passed back, and being anxious about my grade. I wanted to please my teachers and coaches and make my parents proud. Yes, I was that kid! I loved sports — played them year-round — and loved being with my friends. I played basketball, volleyball, cheered and ran track in middle school.

The biggest lesson you have learned from students is… Every student has a story and deserves to learn, no matter what that story may be.

If I could go back to school I would go to… Junior year of high school. I loved high school! I was playing three sports, earning great grades, had great friends, lived at home with my parents (this makes life easy – ha!), and had my whole future ahead of me!

If you walked into your new school building to theme music every day, what would the song be? Tough question. … I love music! But I think “Eye of the Tiger” would have to be it. Who doesn’t get pumped up when they hear that song?!?!

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Abby Kanitz and her husband Brent Kantiz have four children: Miles, Elle, Caden and Graham
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Erin Albanese
Erin Albanese
Erin Albanese is managing editor and reporter, covering Kentwood, Lowell and Wyoming. She was one of the original SNN staff writers, helping launch the site in 2013, and enjoys fulfilling the mission of sharing the stories of public education. She has worked as a journalist in the Grand Rapids area since 2000. A graduate of Central Michigan University, she has written for The Grand Rapids Press, Advance Newspapers, On-the-Town Magazine and Group Tour Media. Read Erin's full bio

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