HomeProfiles of Students, Staff, Teachers

Profiles of Students, Staff, Teachers

Determined leader sprints past K-12 finish line, pushed by her little ‘star’

Godfrey-Lee Beth Heinen Bell

Growing up, DaJa West always knew she was going to graduate from high school. But when she became pregnant, “some people doubted me,” she said. They shouldn’t have...

Sports-music balance a challenge and a motivator

Kenowa Hills Alexis Stark

Ben Adloff leads by being a team player...

From regular trouble to focused & mature

Comstock Park Karen Gentry

This potential future corrections officer knows what it takes to turn things around...

For once-homeless mother and daughter graduates, ‘dreams do come true’

Grads with Grit Erin Albanese

Ayjia Jones and her mother, Monique Williams, are both graduates of the Class of 2021. Their accomplishment comes after two years living in motels, searching for housing and pathways to stability...

‘Her deafness does not define her’

Kent City Janice Holst

This grad hopes to learn scuba diving and to fly an airplane, but highest on her agenda is to aid in the fight for her right to join the armed forces...

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...

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...

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...

1...242526...41 Page 25 of 41

- Sponsorship -

GET OUR HEADLINES IN YOUR EMAIL

SUSTAINING SPONSORS

Join these sponsors

- Sponsorship -

MEDIA PARTNERS

School News NetworkA Window into Your Public Schools

ABOUT US

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.

With a focus on artivism, teacher encourages self-expression

Young leaders find their place at the table on student council

With striking commitment, he leads percussionists to find ‘genuine joy’

Young bowler’s future is all strikes and spares

Taking math from the classroom to the court

STEM rocket project launches students into summer

Book Bus keeps reading skills sharp during the summer

Creating music, building relationships with ‘magical’ students

‘Building assets’ helps students steer clear of dangerous options

Art & writing competition winners share work

Sparking success: welding in virtual reality

Destination Lake Michigan: newcomers study local watershed

Profiles of Students, Staff, Teachers

GET OUR HEADLINES IN YOUR EMAIL

SUSTAINING SPONSORS

MEDIA PARTNERS

ABOUT US

FOLLOW US

OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS