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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.

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...

Seismic lessons from this rock star teacher

Grand Rapids Community College Erin Albanese

GRCC Geology Professor and volcanologist Tari Mattox brings her first-hand knowledge of eruptions, rocks and much more into class...

Michigan art teacher of year makes all subjects ‘artful’

Kentwood Erin Albanese

Art teacher Adrienne DeMilner brings art into all subjects and areas at East Kentwood Freshman Campus and out into the community. She was recently awarded 2018 Michigan Art Educator of the Year and Secondary Art Teacher of the Year by the Michigan Art Education Association...

Her overarching goal: to teach that American ideals are worth striving for

Rockstar Teachers Erin Albanese

Rebecca Debowski witnesses and guides her students as they learn to look at things in a more nuanced way and respect what one another have to say, from every perspective...

‘She will fill your bucket if you are empty’

Godwin Heights Erin Albanese

This art teacher provides a solid skill base, then encourages her students to infuse their work with elements of their own lives. And she shares her own, which she says creates a safe space for them to reflect...

She chose music over medicine, and her students are glad she did

Rockstar Teachers Morgan Jarema

Wendy Tenney Tenney is one of 10 Michigan educators who were named as 2018-19 Regional Teachers of the Year...

Director takes joy in teaching student musicians, ‘to see what they can do and where they go’

Rockstar Teachers Charles Honey

Band director Greg Wells grew up as part of Northview’s proud tradition, in a family of music educators, and feels honored to carry it on

“I realize what a privilege it is”

Rockstar Teachers Erin Albanese

Rockstar Teachers Series: There's just something about certain teachers that draws students to them in droves and keeps them checking in years, even decades...

‘My Class is More Than What I Teach Them’

Grandville Jaye Beeler

At 7:45 a.m. daily, teacher Terry Blevins begins the day with his 30 audiovisual broadcasting students tooling about a warren of separate rooms stuffed...

‘The Classroom is Why I Wake Up in the Morning’

East Grand Rapids Morgan Jarema

Eighth-grader Aaron Souter touched an iPad screen to maneuver a sphero along a stairwell floor, while classmate Ryan Reszka constructed an obstacle course of...

‘Such Good and Such Promise in Each of Them’

Kenowa Hills Charles Honey

Fourteen students form a semicircle, discussing in detail the meaning of a poem by Pablo Neruda, "I Like When You Are Quiet." Witness the teaching...

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School News NetworkA Window into Your Public Schools

ABOUT US

School News Network reports on the 20 public school districts in Kent County, which enroll more than 90,000 students. Founded in 2013, we are an editorially independent news site funded by Kent ISD, local districts and community sponsors, and powered by an experienced team of reporters, editors and photojournalists. We specialize in covering classroom teaching and learning, analyzing the many issues that enhance or discourage student success, and highlighting the education magic that happens each day in our public schools.

His heart is in the healthcare field

Northview grad is a future forest mapper

Teacher’s latest book focuses on motivation in education

Former principal returns to read, substitute teach at his old school

Future health care pros sample multiple career focuses

Young readers follow the recipe for perfect pound cake

Young engineers turn paper into a wild ride

Montessori students sound out the basics of bluegrass

Diving into social-emotional learning

‘The journey’s not over’: High-schoolers showcase Black history

Art contest celebrates kindness, compassion and community

Parade of Nations is celebration of diversity

Rockstar Teachers

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