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Profiles of Students, Staff, Teachers

Trades are a passion for this award winner

Career Exploration Janice Holst

Senior Mia Ramos is one of 65 high-school students statewide to be named a recipient of the 2021 Breaking Traditions Awards from the Michigan Department of Education...

Writing through the grief

Caledonia Alexis Stark

Approaching the end of her senior year, she is learning to grieve with grace and share her emotions through writing, after the death of her older sister in 2016...

Student vaccine ambassadors spread the message: ‘do your part’

Grand Rapids Phil de Haan

Six students from GRPS schools were chosen to be COVID-19 vaccine ambassadors by the state of Michigan...

Socks optional, fun mandatory: retiring science teacher reflects on a successful career

Kent City Janice Holst

Retiring after nearly 30 years in the district, this teacher made a difference in the classroom, on the sports field, in fundraising and in the lives of his students...

‘God gives me hope’: a refugee student’s hard journey to graduation

Kelloggsville Phil de Haan

On a journey from the Congo to Grand Rapids, faith, and the people placed in his path, have helped a Kelloggsville senior deal with some tough circumstances...

‘There is something about inclusion’

Sparta Janice Holst

This teacher has made it her mission to help students with mild impairments find their way in school and beyond...

New dean of students: Empowering students gives them a voice

Wyoming Erin Albanese

This former self-described class clown and NFL player says meeting students’ needs starts with being a good listener...

00:00:48

Peacocks, goats, Legos: this fifth-grade farmer does it all

Cedar Springs Beth Heinen Bell

Not many fifth-graders can say that they live on an exotic peafowl and pheasant farm. But to Cole, life on the farm is hard to describe because it’s just… life...

Aspiring high-school ag teacher hopes to return to her home district someday

Student Leaders Alexis Stark

She was recognized in March for teaching in elementary programs and promoting agricultural literacy...

Journey of survival, hard work, inspires him to inspire others

Grads with Grit Erin Albanese

Six years ago hewas in an Indonesian detention center. Today he is a recipient of Western Michigan University’s most prestigious merit-based scholarship...

Three-dimensional thinker

Meet the Future Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

She’s designing her life, from the roof trusses to her dream home to how she will impact others...

‘I want to do that’

Grads with Grit Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

The encouragement of co-workers helped her discover Kent ISD adult education and its career and technical ed programs...

Like Wonder Woman, ‘I gotta save the world!’

Kenowa Hills Alexis Stark

After five years serving students and staff as a social worker at Zinser Elementary, Brooke Davis, is new director of diversity, equity and mental health services...

Newcomer paves her way in biology, business

Student Leaders Erin Albanese

This Wyoming High School senior has overcome language barriers and other obstacles of succeeding in the U.S. and now is choosing from among major college scholarship offers...

With his eye on the goal

Grads with Grit Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Godwin’s Ru’Quan Buckley was not going to let anything -- including a pandemic -- stop him from achieving his goal...

A champion of creativity

Kent City Janice Holst

Despite the challenges of being a first-year teacher in a school year disrupted by a global pandemic, Kent City’s new art teacher inspires students to keep growing in their creative skills...

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School News Network reports on the 20 public school districts in Kent County, which enroll more than 90,000 students. Founded in 2013, we are an editorially independent news site funded by Kent ISD, local districts and community sponsors, and powered by an experienced team of reporters, editors and photojournalists. We specialize in covering classroom teaching and learning, analyzing the many issues that enhance or discourage student success, and highlighting the education magic that happens each day in our public schools.

His heart is in the healthcare field

Northview grad is a future forest mapper

Teacher’s latest book focuses on motivation in education

Former principal returns to read, substitute teach at his old school

Future health care pros sample multiple career focuses

Young readers follow the recipe for perfect pound cake

Young engineers turn paper into a wild ride

Montessori students sound out the basics of bluegrass

Diving into social-emotional learning

‘The journey’s not over’: High-schoolers showcase Black history

Art contest celebrates kindness, compassion and community

Parade of Nations is celebration of diversity

Profiles of Students, Staff, Teachers

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