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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.

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...

She Collects Books, and Lets Students Choose Them

Rockstar Teachers Erin Albanese

English teacher Katie Sluiter's Wyoming Junior High classroom is a testament to the power of words, in the books eighth-graders eagerly grab from her...

After Auto Industry, He Chose ‘Noble Career’ of Teaching

Comstock Park Morgan Jarema

David Staublin has been known to poke fun at his diminished hearing. Having grown up in Charlevoix, he said, he attended "a lot of...

‘I show them another way, and another way, and another way’

Kelloggsville Erin Albanese

A bank was robbed. Fifteen suspects – all middle-school staff members – had their mugshots taken, each holding a dollar bill up to their...

Respect and Relationships Build Bonds with Students

Forest Hills Morgan Jarema

On a recent Wednesday afternoon, Bill Kennedy's AP Government class kicks off as it does on most days: with video news footage. Today it's...

He Pushes Students to Excel, with Pushups and ‘Geronimo!’

Kelloggsville Erin Albanese

When it comes to encouraging students to give it their all, band director Troy Anderson says take the leap and yell "Geronimo!" By that he...

Fast Talking, Storm Chasing, Globe-Toting Teacher

Grandville Morgan Jarema

The first thing you notice in Dave Carmichael's weather and science class is that he often carries around a globe, using it as a...

‘I Hope They Feel That I Love Them’

Cedar Springs Charles Honey

Libby Metiva’s seventh-graders were spread out in her classroom and the adjoining hallway, working in small groups on the answer to a science experiment:...

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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.

Ready to lead

Leaders in achievement pass the torch

Leading to achieve

New principal envisions ‘a bright future’ at his alma mater

‘It feeds me,’ says teacher-artist

Books on the Run bounces back

It takes a community to stage a musical

Superintendent to serve on Growing Michigan Together Council

Teacher-designed classrooms help students feel supported, calm and creative

Restorative circles create safe space at the top of the day

‘Feed the kids’

‘It’s really all about providing equity’

Rockstar Teachers

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