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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.

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...

‘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...

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...

‘Doing better’ in the classroom — conventional or virtual

Rockstar Teachers Bridie Bereza

Fourth grade teacher Kelly Compher has adapted her teaching skills and emphasis on equity from the traditional classroom to Google Classroom...

Guiding students to becoming informed citizens

Rockstar Teachers Erin Albanese

This AP Government teacher helps students learn to become critical thinkers, and students say his passion is contagious...

Teaching art ‘is what I’m meant to do’

Northview Morgan Jarema

She says ‘life is much better with creativity’...

‘I owe so much to them all’

Caledonia Hannah Lentz

He has been teaching orchestra to Caledonia middle school students for 15 years...

Teaching history as history is happening

Rockstar Teachers Charles Honey

In Bill Crane’s 26 years of teaching U.S. history at Rockford High School, rarely has the subject been so immediately relevant to his students’ lives...

Teaching history as history is happening

Rockford Charles Honey

In Bill Crane’s 26 years of teaching U.S. history at Rockford High School, rarely has the subject been so immediately relevant to his students’ lives...

‘Feels like I just got here yesterday’

Rockstar Teachers Hannah Lentz

Kelly LaCroix has worked in the same classroom at Kettle Lake Elementary for two decades, and her enthusiasm continues to grow every day...

A new teacher with a passion for the classroom: ‘I love helping kids’

Rockstar Teachers Charles Honey

While the number of new teachers continues to drop dramatically, Brittney DesLauries says she wants to do it for the rest of her life...

‘100 percent mesmerized by my job-this is what I get to do today’

Cedar Springs Janice Holst

Making sure each student is recognized and learns life lessons are what matters, said this Cedar Springs teacher...

She focuses on words and beyond, helping ELL students be successful

Byron Center Erin Albanese

As an EL teacher and club adviser, Christy Tripp-Arkema advocates for students, serving as a bridge and a voice. She’s a high-energy, passionate instructor who learns along with her students and makes sure they have what they need to be successful...

‘It was the right job for me — always has been’

Rockstar Teachers Bridie Bereza

In Cindy Prentler’s second grade classroom, books inspire, teach, and beautify the space...

Take a ‘walk in the woods’ at this elementary school

Rockstar Teachers Janice Holst

A fifth-grade teacher’s hobby has transformed the hallways, with a carved woodland creature at nearly every classroom door...

Her joy: watching them ‘discover what they can do’

Godwin Heights Bridie Bereza

Rockstar Teacher Susie Poliski...

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