- Sponsorship -

Ready to lead

Meet Your Administrators: Heather Fix, Lisa Roedel and Raeanne Hart

Forest Hills — Leadership changes at Forest Hills Public Schools brought the addition of two new faces and one familiar one to lead three of the district’s buildings. SNN gets to know them in this edition of Meet Your Administrators.

Lisa Roedel
Principal, Knapp Forest Elementary

Lisa Roedel, Knapp Forest Elementary principal, said she is excited to be joining the Forest Hills family

A connection to the West Michigan community is what brought Roedel from the east side of the state to the Grand Rapids area. Prior to coming to Forest Hills, Roedel served as principal at Smith Elementary School in Plymouth-Canton Community Schools for about five years. Before that, she was an elementary principal in Bath and an elementary teacher in Fowlerville and Webberville school districts.

“I really enjoy being here and it is a good fit,” Roedel said, noting that her previous school district and Forest Hills are similar. “I have an amazing staff who have really made me feel so welcome to the school and the district.”

Roedel holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Ferris State University and a master’s in educational leadership and curriculum development from the University of Michigan. Her husband, Wayne Roedel, is the superintendent of Greenville Public Schools.

Heather Fix
Principal, Thornapple Elementary 

Thornapple Elementary Principal Heather Fix shares some of her likes, along with a special message to students, staff and families

Last year, Heather Fix had the opportunity to serve as interim principal at Collins Elementary, which helped her discover a love of elementary education.

“I love the neighborhood community feel of the school,” Fix said. “Everyone is so welcoming. The community is supportive of the school, and everybody works together to help the students be their best.”

Fix has been with the district for nine years, starting as a teacher at Northern Trails 5/6 School. She taught science at Eastern Middle, and last fall was named assistant principal at Northern Middle as well as interim principal at Collins. 

She graduated with a bachelor’s in integrated science education from Grand Valley State University, and holds a graduate degree from Western Michigan University.

Raeanne Hart
Assistant Principal, Northern Hills Middle School

Raeanne Hart, Northern Hills Middle’s new assistant principal

A 2007 East Grand Rapids High graduate, Raeanne Hart already knew of the district next door. In fact, just before attending her first staff meeting at Northern Hills Middle School, she found a picture of herself at the school for a volleyball competition.

“I was able to tell everyone that I have been to this building before,” she said with a laugh.

Hart previously served as assistant principal at Hudsonville High School for four years, and also as a teacher in West Ottawa Public Schools. She graduated from Central Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s in educational leadership.

“I have always held Forest Hills, and Northern Hills Middle School, in high regard,” Hart said. “It is a great place to be, and having been here for only a few weeks has confirmed what I have felt about the district and the school.”

- Sponsorship -
Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
Joanne Bailey-Boorsma is a reporter covering Kent ISD, Godwin Heights, Kelloggsville, Forest Hills and Comstock Park. The salutatorian for the Hartland Public Schools class of 1985, she changed her colors from blue and maize to green and white by attending Michigan State University, where she majored in journalism. Joanne moved to the Grand Rapids area in 1989, where she started her journalism career at the Advance Newspapers. She later became the editor for On-the-Town magazine, a local arts and entertainment publication. Her eldest daughter is a nurse, working in Holland, and her youngest attends Oakland University. Both are graduates from Byron Center High School. She is a volunteer for the Van Singel Fine Arts Advisory Board and the Kent District Library. In her free time, Joanne enjoys spending time with her family, checking out local theater and keeping up with all the exchange students they have hosted through the years. Read Joanne's full bio

LATEST ARTICLES

Related Articles

- Sponsorship -

Issues in Education

Making Headlines

- Sponsorship -

MEDIA PARTNERS

Maranda Where You Live WGVU

SUSTAINING SPONSORS