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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. This series, proudly sponsored by Edustaff, highlights some of these rockstars of the classroom.

‘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...

‘Nobody can take our education away’

Thornapple Kellogg Hannah Lentz

After completing her student teaching at Thornapple Kellogg, Erin Kraker is back, bringing her own style to the classroom...

‘Bring your best every day’

Comstock Park Hannah Lentz

Katie Bredeweg, a second-grade teacher at Stoney Creek Elementary, talks about her experiences in the classroom and the lasting impact that a teacher can have...