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Profiles of Students, Staff, Teachers

Running the good race, from refugee camp to top student-athlete

Grads with Grit Charles Honey

Jama Jafari Jama has been through rough times, but he says nothing will stop him in the long journey now before him, starting with a scholarship at Aquinas College...

MySchool@Kent students overcome obstacles to get to graduation

Grads with Grit Janice Holst

Students choose online high school for a variety of reasons. Here, a few of this year’s graduates reflect...

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...

Strong faith, desire to help pushes her to be healing force through song

Grads with Grit Erin Albanese

Despite tremendous loss, and mental and physical ailments, MacKenzie Van Dorp is off to the country music capital to pursue a career in music...

A ‘drive to do good in the world’

Student Leaders Morgan Jarema

Born in Paris, Léa Schmitt and her family moved to Grand Rapids from France in time for the last few weeks of her sixth-grade year at Breton Downs. She barely spoke English...

Family and friends pushed her to excel, grad says

Grads with Grit Janice Holst

To some, using a wheelchair might mean marching band was out, but not for Sarah Abma...

Giving back as others gave to them

Student Leaders Erin Albanese

Three sisters, refugees from Rwanda, devote their Monday evenings to volunteering at the Learning Café, an education center in Grand Rapids that serves refugee children...

This Mr. T is no tough guy, but a gentle friend to students

Volunteer Charles Travis, 83, is a retired General Motors toolmaker who has spent the past years devoting six hours a week to helping students at the ECC read...

If you give a kid a 3D printer he will want to be a NASA engineer

Grads with Grit Erin Albanese

Graduate Bryan Rosello Lizardo overcame challenges and struggles, and is headed to the University of Michigan...

Toughing it out through troubled times, she sets her sights on college

Grads with Grit Morgan Jarema

Before coming to the district, Ivy and her two brothers -- one older, one younger -- had lived in 16 different homes and been in and out of a half-dozen schools as a result...

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...

From recycling to running to laminating, this mom pretty much does it all

Mandy Mynhier is integrally involved in her two daughters’ schools, including incorporating environmentally friendly practices...

Injury, illness can’t hold back this future teacher

Student Leaders Morgan Jarema

Her junior year, another ACL suffered a tear, and that too meant a visit to a surgeon. It was while recovering from that injury that Emily was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma...

From homelessness to supporting himself, he’s ready for college

Grads with Grit Erin Albanese

Technically homeless, Tristen Foley worked and studied around the clock to get his diploma...

Determined grad finds her way from life-altering earthquake to success

Grads with Grit Janice Holst

Coming to U.S. from Haiti just two years ago, Roodflore Winkels has accomplished much and is reaching for new heights...

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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.

Her career path was laid in first grade

She helps students develop language, read, write & grow

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

He is demonstrating how important English is in business

Partnership pairs high-schoolers with scientists for real-world research

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

Learning life skills ‘where life happens’

State of the Student tackles four big topics

High-schoolers talk mental health with education leaders, legislators

Student news crew interviews state superintendent

Profiles of Students, Staff, Teachers

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