Tom Rademacher

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Tom Rademacher was long-time reporter and columnist for The Grand Rapids Press, where he specialized in wringing the extraordinary from the seeming ordinary.

She’s a Champ, and So’s Her Guide Dog

Reading & Writing with Rademacher Tom Rademacher

Duncan LaGrand is a regular in Joan VanDyke's algebra class, yet on more than one occasion has been known to not only fall asleep,...

Tony Bonofiglo: ‘We Are All Different in Some Way’

Kent ISD Tom Rademacher

Well, kids, I hate to break it to you, but while some of you sigh your way through another summer, wondering how to occupy...

Shiza Shahid: Empowering Girls & Women Around the Planet

Grand Rapids Tom Rademacher

"What is it," she asked, almost in a whisper, "that you plan to do with your wild and miraculous life?" And in that moment, you...

Health Advocate Jean Jilote: ‘Always Smiling, Always Available’

Grand Rapids Tom Rademacher

It's not two minutes into our interview, and already health advocate Jean Jilote is shedding tears. It's not that she's suffered some recent loss or...

Le Tran: Teacher, Artist, Inspirer and Dragon

Kentwood Tom Rademacher

Le Tran is trying to arrange the start of her AP Art class when three young men bound in, seeking chocolate. Normally, there’d be some...

Fred Reusch: Teacher, Tutor, ‘Coolest Man Ever’

Reading & Writing with Rademacher Tom Rademacher

The story you're about to read is about a high school math instructor, written by someone who can barely add single digits. But in the...

Friendships Break Down Barriers

Grandville Tom Rademacher

I have pretty good recollection of who I sat with in the lunchroom during both my elementary and high school years, I can say...

Hayley Lee: Student ‘On Fire’

Kent ISD Tom Rademacher

Before? Well, before, Hayley Lee was, by her own admission, a little sassy, too disrespectful, and variously disconnected -- unless you include some unsavory elements...

One Pebble, 25-Year Ripple and Counting

Godwin Heights Tom Rademacher

I think too many of us misunderstand or take for granted men and women who serve as school board members. We sometimes dismiss them as...

Konarska Twins Leave Double Legacy

Kent ISD Tom Rademacher

You could spend a lot of time perusing the resumes of identical twin brothers Kevin and Keith Konarska, who retire at the end of...

Student Baristas Add Math, Social Skills to their School Menu

Kenowa Hills Tom Rademacher

It's not even yet 8 a.m., and already, it's a honeycomb of activity inside Mandy Acker's second-floor classroom. But the dozen or so students buzzing...

Mentor Program Empowers Students and Adults Alike

Northview Tom Rademacher

Gay Van Otteren levels his 85-year-old eyes directly at you and then says this: “The greatest gift that you can give to one another is...

Runnin’ Rebels Encourages Teamwork and Camaraderie

Godfrey-Lee Tom Rademacher

Forget everything you've ever read or heard about the so-called "loneliness of the long-distance runner." At Lee High School, you'll find a unique running club...

Athlete, Academic, White House Advisor: Leighton Watson

Lowell Tom Rademacher

Ladies and gentlemen, keep your eyes on this young man. I’ve been wrong before, but something tells me the name “Leighton Watson” will surface down...

Overcoming Disability, Student Composes Opus for Orchestra

East Grand Rapids Tom Rademacher

When the 38 members of the 8th grade string orchestra at East Grand Rapids Middle School sat down to play a new opus recently,...

A Very Special Teacher for Special Kids

Reading & Writing with Rademacher Tom Rademacher

Some years back on a Fourth of July, schoolteacher Sarah Bolema fielded a phone call from a distraught student's mom. To the mother's horror,...

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School News Network reports on the 20 public school districts in Kent ISD, which enroll more than 102,000 students. Founded in 2013 as an initiative of Kent ISD, we are supported by local districts and community sponsors, and powered by an experienced team of reporters, editors and multimedia journalists. We specialize in covering classroom teaching and learning, analyzing the many issues facing students and highlighting the education magic that happens each day in our public schools.

Not just a volunteer, but ‘a piece of the library’

He is demonstrating how important English is in business

New ‘fami-LEE’ leader fueled by coffee and community

This teacher enjoys the sincerity & hilarity of high-schoolers

Simulated crime ties science, critical thinking & data analysis

Opportunities abound at first in-house career fair

Partnership with Black-founded nonprofit brings dedicated learning space

Levitating cars? Anything’s possible in STEM Academy

State of the Student tackles four big topics

High-schoolers talk mental health with education leaders, legislators

Student news crew interviews state superintendent

Cultural fair: Students share countries, culture

Tom Rademacher

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