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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.

Positive energy as bright as spring sunshine

Forest Hills Carol Lautenbach

Three words from lead teacher Amy Goebels led Nancy Sullivan to bring her affinity for young children to life in Collins Elementary’s Great Start Readiness Program...

Making learning ‘as local as we can’

Grand Rapids Erin Albanese

Stephanie Nielsen, the Region 3 Michigan Teacher of the Year, leads her students into the wild schoolyard around them to discover peas, dandelions, trees and cross-curricular connections...

An award-winning partner in education

Godwin Heights Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Michigan Science Teacher of the Year Grace Boersma sees herself as a facilitator, guiding students to the answers...

Environmental educator on a quest to make learning more meaningful — and fun

Forest Hills Carol Lautenbach

Central Woodlands’ sixth-grade teacher Patty Tolly knew mid-career that ‘there had to be better ways than traditional methods to help students learn.’ Her quest to find those methods continues today...

Doing what he loves by teaching tech, inspiring students

Kent City Charles Honey

In his 25th year of teaching at Kent City, Jeremy Smith helps students learn high-tech skills that they share with the community through social media...

She’s incredible, sweet and ‘boring’

Wyoming Erin Albanese

She has devoted her whole career to Oriole Park, the elementary school she attended and loves...

Chosen by art, to her students’ benefit

Northview Morgan Jarema

The recently named art educator of the year can be found at none other than Northview High School...

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...

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