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Profiles of Students, Staff, Teachers

Teacher lights science up with creativity

Kentwood Alexis Stark

As a child, Wendy Johnson’s curiosity led her to discover her passion for science. Now a ninth-grade biophysics teacher at East Kentwood, her passion transforms the average science class into a hub of student curiosity...

Third-grader collects winter clothes, blankets to help those in need

Byron Center Erin Albanese

(Photo by Dianne Caroll Burdick) Brown Elementary third-grader Jojo Gurd has worked to collect winter clothes and other items to help people experiencing homelessness in Grand Rapids...

A veteran teacher adapts to new reality: ‘nothing compares to this’

Grand Rapids Phil de Haan

An elementary school teacher of 40 years says education has never seen anything like 2020...

‘Soul of Northview’ Says Students Are the Reward

East Grand Rapids Charles Honey

Ted Burba, a longtime and beloved teacher for Northview Public Schools who retired this fall, died early this week after a long illness. In tribute to his lasting legacy, School News Network republishes this profile of Mr. Burba that originally ran in 2016 to honor his 50th year of teaching...

Filmmaker, engineer, future rocket-builder: it’s all about creativity

East Grand Rapids Morgan Jarema

Xiangyu Chen says his twin passions -- filmmaking and all things science, technology, engineering and math-related -- draw upon similar principles...

Longtime agriscience teacher earns honorary FFA degree

Caledonia Alexis Stark

After 24 years of teaching, John Schut believes incorporating fun and service into education is more engaging for students than taking notes in a classroom...

Career education expert takes on new Kent ISD assistant superintendent position

Kent ISD Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Amid COVID-19, Sue Gardner took on a brand new role as Kent ISD assistant superintendent helping to administer and support the existing high school programs and help start new ones...

Entrepreneur, philanthropist, third-grader

Northview Morgan Jarema

This student leader wants everyone to be included...

A real team player

Godwin Heights Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

From bus schedules to substitute teaching, Ellen Veenkant helps where she can. And she’ll soon join a new team...

Bringing ‘positive intent’ to work every day

East Grand Rapids Morgan Jarema

Heather McKinney-Rewa is the new East Grand Rapids Middle School assistant principal. SNN gets to know her in this edition of Meet the Principal...

Musical prodigy, international performer, fourth-grader

Byron Center Erin Albanese

When Cameron Renshaw was in kindergarten he kept asking his mom, Tina Renshaw, about the cello in her closet...

Senior Scouts return to grade school, sprinkling kindness

Caledonia Alexis Stark

Four former Dutton Elementary students are using their platform as Girl Scouts to inspire kindness in younger generations of Wildcats...

Team builder, champion shaper wants athletes to be their best

Comstock Park Karen Gentry

She comes to the district after five years as women’s basketball coach at Ferris State University...

Two-stepper, avid reader owes career to her first-grade teacher

Caledonia Alexis Stark

Jenn Shultz is the new Emmons Lake Elementary School principal. SNN gets to know her in this edition of Meet Your Administrators...

Just one fire ant in a flood

Lowell Beth Heinen Bell

Craig Veldman is the new principal for Cherry Creek Elementary School. School News Network gets to know him better – and learns a little bit about fire ants, too – in this edition of Meet Your Administrator...

‘Who we are as teacher and student is essentially the same’

Rockstar Teachers Erin Albanese

Wyoming Junior High School teacher Shantel VanderGalien was named Region 3’s top teacher by the Michigan Department of Education in May, donning the title during a pandemic, when education is flipped on its head...

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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.

Now cancer-free, this senior is hoping to help others

‘I get to be a dad to so many people’

Incoming Michigan FFA president plans career in agriculture

Sixth-grader auditions for ‘America’s Got Talent’

Sixth-grader draws attention with art skills

The classroom calls out to these teaching cadets

Future songwriters, audio engineers learning to create in production lab

STEAM night shows ‘we never stop learning’

First-generation college students ‘bring level of grit, perseverance’

Sixth-grader draws attention with art skills

Tessa Bunting grows alongside the kids she teaches

Is there a place for AI in the arts? Student news crew explores

Profiles of Students, Staff, Teachers

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