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HomeProfiles of Students, Staff, Teachers

Profiles of Students, Staff, Teachers

New AP brings ‘relationship first’ approach to middle school

East Grand Rapids Riley Kelley
New East Grand Rapids Middle School Assistant Principal Zach Jager thrives in the hustle and bustle of his new position.

Varied interests, goals, all nurtured at school

Kent City Beth Heinen Bell
Junior Amy Sytsma is a talented mathematician and budding engineer who is also heavily involved in the creative arts. School News Network spoke with her about her dreams for the future.

Snowboarding a ‘rush of adrenaline and happiness’ for seventh-grader

Cedar Springs Riley Kelley
Supported by his school community, this Cedar Springs seventh-grader plans to go pro with his passion for snowboarding.

‘Your brain is so powerful’  

Comstock Park Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
She’s fascinated by how the human brain works, what it is capable of and what it can overcome. What has helped her reach her goals so far: communicating and taking advantage of available resources.

‘I really want to be a teacher’

Grandville Beth Heinen Bell
Grace Kloeckner is a fifth-grader at Central Elementary School. School News Network recently talked with her to learn more about her dreams for the future and how her teachers provide inspiration.

Looking back: Bigs and Littles find rewarding relationships

SNN 10th Anniversary School News Network
To celebrate our 10th anniversary, your School News Network team is re-publishing some early stories from each school district. This story, originally published in December 2013, explores how Thornapple Kellogg Public Schools built 'Big' and 'Little' relationships to spur academic success.

‘It can be miraculous’

Comstock Park Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
Why I Teach: math teacher Susan McDonald.

Students & grandpas connect through cards, hugs, common languages

Kentwood Erin Albanese
“Refugee grandpas” are working directly with refugee students at Glenwood Elementary School, filling gaps in language and culture, and adding a sense of family.

Bolstered by many while a student, this grad now supports others

Godfrey-Lee Erin Albanese
Jordan Poisson, who shared her story of growing up in poverty in 2014, is now a school counselor at Grand Rapids Public Schools.

History-making superintendent comes back home to lead Godfrey-Lee

Godfrey-Lee Alexis Stark
Arnetta Thompson is the first Black superintendent and first woman to lead Godfrey-Lee Public Schools. 
00:04:17

In the marching band Grand Prix, this pit crew is tops

Northview Brett Atwood
A group of volunteers has been striking up a proverbial symphony of dedication for decades.

Safety in the skies is his dream

Caledonia Alexis Stark
Fourth-grader Ryu Fleming hopes to become a pilot one day and safely fly people where they need to go.

His home is on the pitch

Byron Center Alexis Stark
Freshman Allister Allan dreams of playing soccer professionally, with a college degree to fall back on.

Principal shows up as herself, purple glasses and all

Wyoming Erin Albanese
Principal Brenna Fraser is the new leader at Parkview Elementary in Wyoming Public Schools.

‘The bonds are lasting’

Godfrey-Lee Alexis Stark
District EL Coordinator Andrea Donovan is in her 20th year of teaching in the Godfrey-Lee district, but has been part of the fami-’Lee’ since she was in kindergarten.

‘The universe just has its way of aligning’

Grandville Beth Heinen Bell
John Wondergem attended fourth grade at West Elementary, and later taught fourth grade in the very same classroom. Now, he’s the school’s new principal.
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School News Network reports on the 20 public school districts in Kent ISD, which enroll more than 102,000 students. Founded in 2013 as an initiative of Kent ISD, we are supported by local districts and community sponsors, and powered by an experienced team of reporters, editors and multimedia journalists. We specialize in covering classroom teaching and learning, analyzing the many issues facing students and highlighting the education magic that happens each day in our public schools.

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