Kenowa Hills — Over the years, Superintendent Jerry Hopkins has shown the same level of dedication as he did working on his parents’ 120-acre farm in his youth.
“I started working at a very young age and worked as much as I could,” Hopkins said. “Knowing I wanted to go to college and be a teacher, I knew I needed to work a lot to make that happen.”
This summer will be the first since he was young that won’t be spent planning for the next school year, prepping his classroom, landscaping or farming. The longtime superintendent retired June 30 after more than 30 years working in the world of education.
In retirement, Hopkins is looking forward to spending more time with his parents, his wife, Kristine, his daughters while they are home for the summer, and golfing with his son.
Even though he will no longer need to wake up to call snow days at 4 a.m., Hopkins said his body’s clock may take a while to adjust to his new, slower-paced schedule.
“I never need to set an alarm,” he said. “My body knows it’s 4 a.m., no matter when I go to bed. That is going to be the hardest transition.”
The transition may be just as difficult for Kenowa Hills staff. Julia Lanka, Hopkins’ administrative assistant, compared his retirement to “a close family member moving far away.”
“Jerry’s ability to support every person in a nurturing manner for deep connection is perhaps the thing I valued most,” she said. “He has shown us all what it’s like to always assume positive intent, and to always keep doing what is right for kids at the center of every decision and action we take.
Lanka added: “We’re all better humans for having been in Jerry’s presence.”
Prioritizing People
Hopkins spent his entire career in West Michigan, starting in 1994 in Grandville Public Schools, where he spent eight years as a math teacher, instructional specialist and elementary program coordinator.
He later moved on to roles as elementary principal and assistant superintendent of human resources for Wyoming Public Schools, spending almost 10 years in the district before transitioning to the role of superintendent for Kenowa Hills in July 2011.
Zinser Elementary’s principal, Brooke Johnson, served as a parent representative on the team who interviewed Hopkins for the job.
“When we met Jerry (Hopkins) it was instant and unanimous that he was the person for this important role,” she said.
‘It’s a gift we have in education; we have the pleasure of getting to see the magic that happens in classrooms.’
Superintendent Jerry Hopkins
When asked to recall some of his favorite memories from years past, Hopkins said he “didn’t even know where to begin.” No matter how busy his schedule, he said he always prioritized visiting a school building at least once a day.
“The best way to change a bad day is to visit students in a classroom,” he said. “It’s a gift we have in education; we have the pleasure of getting to see the magic that happens in classrooms.”
He also highlighted what, to many, was a challenging time in education:
“What we did during the COVID-19 pandemic was pretty special,” he said. “What our staff did to support the community, like delivering food to families and diplomas at the end of the year via school bus. I am super-proud of the way we responded as a district.”
To Johnson, the pandemic reaffirmed that their search committee had made the right choice back in 2011.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, (Hopkins) rode a different bus every day to distribute meals to the families of Kenowa Hills,” she said. “He carried a heavy load as the leader of the district, but he never complained and never stopped caring.”
A Legacy of Listening and Learning
Throughout his career, Hopkins committed his time and energy to listening, his colleagues recalled.
His best advice to anyone in education, he said, is to “be a good listener.”
“Don’t believe you always have all the answers and always be open to ideas,” he said. “Sometimes, we’re so close to something and we’ve done things the same for so long; it’s important to pull back and listen to others.”
Alpine Elementary Principal Jason Snyder agreed.
“His ability to listen and show care for all while challenging us to be better leaders and teachers is second to none,” said Snyder, who described Hopkins as the embodiment of a servant leader and an advocate for students.
In 2024, Hopkins assembled the District Parent Advisory Team to exchange ideas and gain parent insight into student and family experiences. The goal of the group, he said, was to bridge communication between parents and district leadership for the betterment of all students and families.
At an advisory team meeting last spring, Alpine Elementary parent Jennifer Arntz said having Hopkins lead the group’s meetings and listen to feedback made the district feel safe for her kids to attend school.
Arntz added: “What does that say about our district, that they have a place for parents to come and talk about the hard topics and see, face-to-face, the integrity and willingness to take accountability?”
Board President Erin LaBotz said Hopkins always made time to chat with students, staff and parents.
“Whether you are a parent with a concern, a teacher with a new idea or a student who simply wants to share, Jerry never made you feel like you are an interruption,” she said. “Watching a game or walking through the lunchroom, Jerry always had time for a conversation.”
A Commitment to Community
Hopkins said he hopes he’s leaving Kenowa Hills in a better place than when he first arrived.
Under his leadership, the community in 2016 passed a $55 million bond, which funded new classroom additions at Central and Zinser Elementaries, new gyms at Zinser and Alpine, and repairs to aging facilities across the district.
In May 2024, the Kenowa Hills community again supported the district by passing a zero-millage tax rate increase, generating $37 million to use toward safety improvements and building new athletic complexes.
Hopkins also helped create a partnership with Davenport University to implement the Middle College program, and in 2012 launched Pathways to provide a nontraditional instructional setting for high school students.
“Over the last 15 years, our community gave back to us,” he said. “I hope that … people have seen the commitment the district has had to the community, how much we believe in the community and what we do to help children become young adults.
‘The perfect send-off’
As he wrapped up his time in Kenowa Hills, Hopkins expressed his gratitude for the leadership team and individuals he has worked alongside, including the district’s new superintendent and former director of human resources, Cherie Horner.
“She’s going to do an amazing job,” Hopkins said of Horner. “She is an incredible leader, she knows the district well, she is not afraid to ask questions and constantly wants to learn. I am extremely grateful and feel good about the fact that she’s willing to take on the role.”
Horner, who worked with Hopkins for 11 years, said his leadership always started with asking what was best for kids.
“That wasn’t just something he said — it was the lens through which he led,” she said. “His unwavering commitment to students shaped not only our district, but the culture of leadership around him.
“Perhaps Jerry’s greatest legacy isn’t just the district he leaves behind, but the student and adult leaders he leaves behind to carry the work forward.”
Hopkins delivered his final commencement address on May 27, where the class of 2026 referred to him as “the GOAT (greatest of all time)” for all those early morning snow-day calls. Out in the audience, his brother also surprised him by bringing their parents to attend the ceremony, alongside his wife and children.
As she introduced the superintendent, class treasurer Claire LaBotz described Hopkins’ impact on the district as going “far beyond cancelled school days.”
“For the past 15 years, he has not only led our district, but created a community within it,” she said. “I think most students in Grand Rapids can’t say they’ve seen their superintendent cheering them on at sporting events or walking through the cafeteria to have conversations with students.”
The graduation day started with what Hopkins called “absolutely beautiful” weather, but unexpectedly took a turn.
“All of a sudden, it started sprinkling and it started raining and then it started pouring,” he recalled. But as he handed out diplomas and shook students’ hands for the last time as superintendent, a rainbow reached across the sky.
“The perfect send-off,” he said.
Hopkins’ optimism for Kenowa Hills’ future beyond his leadership slightly outweighs the sadness he feels about departing.
“I’m going to miss the people: everybody from the littlest of littles we have at the early childhood center, to the staff, to the parents and community members,” he said. “I know I am super biased, but Kenowa Hills is a very special place.”
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