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Rockstar Teachers

There’s just something about certain teachers that draws students to them in droves and keeps them checking in years, even decades later. Here, we highlight some of these rockstars of the classroom.

Teacher leads students into the great outdoors

Grand Rapids Phil de Haan

From grants for gardens to learning about nearby Plaster Creek, Erin Fettig and her first-grade students are busy becoming stewards of the earth...

‘You have to teach them how to love themselves’

Grand Rapids Alexis Stark

Her classroom walls remind them they are loved, to be kind, that life is good and to believe in themselves...

‘I like to keep kindergarten playful and academic’

Caledonia Alexis Stark

It’s been thirty-two years and counting for this second-generation educator...

Profesor de Rockstar: Randall Domeier

Byron Center Erin Albanese

Songs, festivities and decorations make for a lively and bright classroom, but Spanish teacher Randall Domier’s energy is what inspires and impacts his students and colleagues...

Finding her passion

Grand Rapids Phil de Haan

A decade ago Nicole Durso had to make a tough decision between a career in the restaurant industry or one in the classroom. Fortunately for students, she chose the latter...

Always in the action, gym teacher connects through play

Wyoming Erin Albanese

After 37 years teaching, this teacher refuses to stand on the sidelines...

Veteran Grand Rapids teacher back in classroom for 50th year

Grand Rapids Phil de Haan

The pandemic almost did her in, but she decided that if she didn’t have to return to virtual in 2021-22, she was coming back...

‘You can see their minds expanding’

Grandville Beth Heinen Bell

This multi-award-winning physics teacher and robotics coach has made it his mission to keep doors open for students and encourage young women to pursue STEM careers...

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...

‘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...

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...

A fun classroom, by design

Kentwood Erin Albanese

This fifth-grade teacher, a finalist for the 2020 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science, loves to get her students involved in STEM projects using design thinking...

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...

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...

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...

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