Byron Center — Brett VanDeRoer first walked through the doors of West Middle School in 2004, as a seventh-grader in the building’s first year. Two decades later, he’s assistant principal.
He went on to graduate from Byron Center High School in 2010, went away for college and returned to teach in the district immediately after. He also started his family with another familiar face in the district, Nickels Intermediate’s current speech-language pathologist Carrie VanDeRoer.
“Everything has come full circle,” he said. “I grew up in Byron Center and when I came back to teach, some of my former teachers were still here. Now my own kids are going to school here.”
Other positions you have held in education:
- Seventh-grade science teacher at West Middle School
- Science teacher at Byron Center High School
- Assistant principal at Wayland Union High School
VanDeRoer also coached track and field at West Middle while he was teaching there.
Education/degrees:
- Two years studying secondary education and teaching at Western Michigan University
- Bachelor’s degree in science and secondary education from Calvin College
- Master in education leadership from WMU
What drew you back to this district? During his time teaching at the high school, VanDeRoer said he developed an interest in educational leadership. To pursue the next steps in this journey, he accepted a job at Wayland Union High School to gain experience leading a building for two years. This past spring, he was told a BCHS assistant principal position would open for the 2026-27 school year, and decided to return home.
“Everything happens for a reason. My principal and other assistant principal (at Wayland) were amazing to work with and learned a ton in my two years there. …It’s really easy to leave when it’s difficult but harder to leave when it’s good. (My former role) was awesome, but there was a pull to go somewhere else. Every step I’ve taken has prepared me for where I am today.”
Did you always know you wanted to become an educator? As long as he can remember, VanDeRoer said he wanted to grow up and become either a professional athlete or a teacher. One proved to be more attainable than the other, despite his love for running track and playing other sports.
“Teaching was the only career I was ever serious about. … I had really good teachers and coaches growing up.They were mentors and positive adult figures in my life and I felt like they really helped me along the way. I wanted to be able to have an impact on kids and help them discover what they’re good at, help them through life, see them grow and change. Now, some of my former students are getting married and having kids and they still reach out and you realize, that’s why I am here.”
What would you like to share about your family? VanDeRoer strengthened his relationship with his now wife, Carrie, while they both attended Calvin College. They previously met through Young Life clubs in high school and college. Brett started teaching in fall 2015, as he and Carrie “navigated what we wanted to do and where we wanted to go,” before ultimately deciding to stay in West Michigan.
The two shared their first apartment and home in Byron Center and still live there today, with their three children: Ellie, Anna and baby J.J., who just turned 1. He added, “We are fully invested in the Byron Center schools and community.”
How would you describe your leadership style? “I like to say ‘servant leadership’ is the overarching theme. I love being able to set people up to have success. Being a leader means doing the things that are required and to take care of people, their needs and help them achieve whatever they are trying to do. You hone and develop that through coaching. Kids who may not see their own potential, you can push further.”
He added, “Be transformative, not transactional, and develop people’s capacity so they can lead in some way.”
What historical or living influential figure would you love to spend the day with? American sportscaster and former football coach Nick Saban, or Jim Harbaugh, former University of Michigan football coach and current head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. “They’re both incredible leaders and we could talk all day about leadership and football.”
What is one thing on your bucket list? “I’d love to experience things and places. I’ve always wanted to travel Down Under to New Zealand and Australia, but I also enjoy traveling throughout the U.S., especially the Upper Peninsula, with my family.
What kind of kid were you at the age of the students in your building?
“I was a pretty good student. My parents, my mom specifically, pushed me hard in terms of getting good grades in school. Looking back, I’m so thankful that she pushed me (because) she saw something in me. Students don’t always have someone who cares enough to push them. School was important to me, but I had fun too. It was a good balance.”
VanDeRoer also said that the district’s current head football coach, Marc Cisco, used to teach middle school science when he was a student.
“(Marc) told me I have the same grin on my face that I had when I was in middle school.”
If you could choose to have superpower, what would it be? “Being able to fly would be pretty cool or to teleport to any spot. It would be cool to travel places fast.”
Read more from Byron Center:
• Seniors remember ‘little kid’ selves through backpacks
• District leaders: state changes to school funding will help meet needs for all students
