Multiple districts — Teachers from Grand Rapids, Northview, Kentwood and Caledonia were recognized during the Groundswell Stewardship Initiative’s recent Student Project Showcase, which took place in May at Grand Valley State University’s downtown campus.
Groundswell is a GVSU-based network that works with educators to develop place-based environmental learning opportunities for K-12 students in Kent and Ottawa counties. Each year the organization honors partnering teachers who’ve gone the extra mile in their work with the program.
The Swell Teacher of the Year award, presented to an educator whose work exemplifies Groundswell’s mission, went to Dave Kraff, fifth- and sixth-grade Field School teacher at Northview’s Highlands Middle School.
Kraff has been involved with Groundswell for 10-plus years, and has “engaged hundreds of students in meaningful outdoor learning experiences and place-based stewardship education,” according to a statement from the organization.
The inaugural Rooted in Service award for long-term commitment to environmental stewardship in the classroom went to Joe Uzarski. He taught grades 4-6 at Grand Rapids Montessori Academy prior to his retirement at the end of the school year and worked with Groundswell for more than 13 years, undertaking many projects in that time.
“The Rooted in Service award demonstrates his dedication to this practice of place-based education, his commitment to amplifying his students’ voices and his decade-long work in the area of environmental stewardship through education,” said Mara Spears, a Groundswell project specialist.
Another GRPS educator, Ottawa Hills High School biology teacher Brooke Bevins, was named the Groundswell 2026 Sprout Teacher of the Year. The award is for a teacher who’s relatively new to the program, but has already gone above and beyond. Bevins is working with students to beautify a campus space with native plants, according to the Groundswell statement.
In addition, two retiring teachers — Laura Sloma of East Kentwood Freshman Campus, and Becky Bravata of Caledonia’s Kraft Meadows Intermediate School — received plaques celebrating their work with Groundswell.
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