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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 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:...

Teaching French Not a Language But a Lifestyle

Rockstar Teachers Erin Albanese

As a Crock-Pot of beef bourguignon simmered, high school students in Amy Wood's class took time developing their palates for Parisian food. With a hearty...

Retirement, Yes! Leave School? No Way!

Rockstar Teachers School News Network

For Sue Blackall, retirement is just the beginning. After 32 years and 800 pupils, the Appleview Elementary third grade teacher plans to open the book...

Helping Students Love Messy, Beautiful Nature

Grand Rapids Charles Honey

On a damp and chilly morning, two dozen children follow Greg Petersen down a woodchip path toward a thick woods. He stops them by...

Kenowa Hills’ Tracy Horodyski Named Michigan Teacher of the Year

Kenowa Hills Charles Honey

Tracy Horodyski dreamed as a child of being a truck driver, but ended up helping steer students toward their own dreams. Her success in doing...

Sisters Follow Identical Career Paths

Godwin Heights Erin Albanese

West Godwin Elementary School Principal Steve Minard remembers interviewing teachers for a third-grade position. One candidate had an ideal background: an elementary education degree...

‘It is what I was meant to do. These are my kids.’

Grand Rapids Charles Honey

Whitley Morse greets her first-hour Monday history class with smiles at the door – “I love your glasses!” – then with a chat-around about...

Part Silly Adult, Human Monkey Bar; All Kindergarten Teacher

Grandville Morgan Jarema

Gerald Neff sits on a kindergartner-size table at the front of his classroom on a recent morning and welcomes his class to a new...

Teacher Challenges Students to Think, Take Risks

Comstock Park Erin Albanese

Mike Swift flipped off the lights in his eighth-grade language arts classroom. He momentarily went into the hall, cracked open the door and peered...

Helping Teen Parents ‘Go As Far As They Want to Go’

Cedar Springs Charles Honey

It had been a week since Robert Brant met with Shelley Bauer, a teen parent educator, and he had big news. He could now begin visiting...

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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.

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

Fifth-grader publishes book, sequel to come

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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