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Rewarding excellence for the futurec/o Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency1819 East Milham avenuePortage, Michigan 49002-3035Published by Kalamazoo RESA - REMC 12 269-250-9350Welcome to the 26th annualExcellence in Education HonorsReception.Each year, the Excellence inEducation program hosts thisreception to recognize the seniorswho represent the top 2.5 percentof their graduating classes fromall of the private and public highschools in Kalamazoo County.In addition to this recognition oftheir commendable achievement,these seniors receive scholarships to assist them in continuingtheir educational journeys at thepost-secondary level.The reception also provides anopportunity for these seniors toacknowledge those educators whohave contributed significantly totheir academic success. We joinwith these seniors in honoringthese caring and excellent teachers. We also acknowledge thatmany others – notably familyand friends – have contributed totheir success.This evening’s reception alsorecognizes another group ofeducators: teachers and administrators who competed for andwon Excellence in Educationincentive grants. Each spring,educators throughout the countysubmit proposals for professional development opportunities that will strengthen teaching and learning in our schoolsand encourage collaborationamong their fellow educators.Each proposal undergoes scrutinization and priority rankingby three independent readersbefore an award is made. Thesegrant recipients deserve oursupport and our thanks for theircontinuing effort to pursueexcellence in their profession.Please join us in celebratingthe accomplishments of ourseniors, their significant educators and our incentive grantwinners in this year’s Excellencein Education program.April 2012Nothing great was“ever achieved withoutenthusiasm.”- Ralph Waldo EmersonE“ ducation is acompanion which no futurecan depress, no crime candestroy, no enemy canalienate it and no nepotismcan enslave.”- Ropo OguntimebinLeadership is action, not“position.”- Donald H. McGannon
ENSURING EXCELLENCE FOR THE FUTUREIn the spring of 1986, representatives from several area public and non-publicschools gathered at the invitation of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation todevelop a program that would honor and recognize both students and educatorswho demonstrate excellence. Using a model developed in Battle Creek, Michigan,under the leadership of the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, this program has becomeone of the most noteworthy, exciting and far-reaching recognition programs everimplemented in the Kalamazoo area. It has generated cooperative relationships,interest and enthusiasm among public and non-public educational institutions inKalamazoo County. It has also focused community attention on the academic andprofessional excellence of graduating high school seniors and educators withinthe Kalamazoo County school system.The Monroe-Brown Foundation, in the spring of 1992, issued a 300,000 challenge grant to the community to seed a permanent fund that would enable thisoutstanding program to continue in the future. Within months, five area foundations matched the challenge grant, and they were soon joined by individuals,businesses and organizations offering their support.Recognizing that educational costs continue to increase, we ask your help to ensure that this unique and valuable program annually offers awards at a meaningfullevel. Your generous contribution can guarantee that the students and educatorsof the future will receive the recognition they deserve. Please consider lendingyour financial support.O u t s ta n d in g S e n i o r sIn celebrating Kalamazoo County’s outstanding seniors, the top 2.5 percent of students from publicand non-public schools were selected for recognition.This year’s selected students all exceeded the minimumGPA of 3.70 required to be selected as outstanding seniors.Students were offered the opportunity to honortwo educators who have played a significant role duringtheir academic lifetime. These influential educators areidentified on the following pages.From academics and athletics to extracurricularactivities and leadership, the following students representthe best of our future—the promise of tomorrow.Aubrie Renee PhenixClimax-Scotts High SchoolParents: Michelle and EdwardKamrowskiCollege: UndecidedCareer: UndecidedSignificant Educators:Candace Brown andJosh VickSamantha JeanHutchersonComstock High SchoolParents: Melannie and EricAntisdaleCollege: Ferris State UniversityCareer: Wildlife VeterinarianSignificant Educators:Allison Nord andCharlene DaileyKathleen MorrisonNatalie Katherine WahlJulie RepkeAbigail Louise ThomasAlison Elaine ButlerNathan MurrayShelbey SenkewitzKyle F. SundenComstock High SchoolParents: Louise and GrantMorrisonCollege: UndecidedCareer: A career that combinesthe Arts, Math andScience.Significant Educators:Charlene Dailey andJeannine MorrisComstock High SchoolParents: Jackie and Randy WahlCollege: University of MichiganCareer: EngineerSignificant Educators:Colleen Grueter andKristie PoulsonGalesburg-Augusta High SchoolParents: Reiko and WilliamRepkeCollege: Western MichiganUniversityCareer: MusicSignificant Educators:Ed Moreland andScott TaylorGalesburg-Augusta High SchoolParents: Christina and JohnThomasCollege: UndecidedCareer: UndecidedSignificant Educators:Ed Moreland andMichael MillerContributions to the Excellence in Education Permanent Fund are eligiblefor the standard charitable deduction on your federal income taxes. To learnmore about how you can help, please contact Carol Carter at the KalamazooCommunity Foundation at (269) 381-4416.Incentive Awards To Date: 640Total Amount Awarded To Educators To Date: 508,078Gull Lake High SchoolParents: Theresa and DavidButlerCollege: Ohio State UniversityCareer: Neurologist /MedicalResearch.Significant Educators:Jullie Jones andMatthew HawkinsNumber of Student Recipients To Date: 1,478Total Amount Awarded to Students To Date: 1,066,924Excellence in Education DayPage 21April 27, 2012Rewarding Excellence For the FutureGull Lake High SchoolParents: Beverly and RobertMurrayCollege: UndecidedCareer: Medical FieldSignificant Educators:Brad Portis andRob BradfordGull Lake High SchoolParents: Vicki and DavidSenkewitzCollege: University of MichiganCareer: Research Scientistspecializing in BotanySignificant Educators:Jullie Jones andBeth Rhodes.Page 2Gull Lake High SchoolParents: Debbie and KenSundenCollege: UndecidedCareer: ChemistrySignificant Educators:Shannon Houtrouwand Joe H. ThorstensonExcellence in Education Day
I always tell students that it is what you learn“after you know it all that counts.”- Harry S. TrumanLam ToGull Lake High SchoolParents: Lanphuong and LinhToeCollege: UndecidedCareer: Professor of MathematicsSignificant Educators:Brad Portis andCatherine KaneEthan WayGull Lake High SchoolParents: Judy and Jeff WayCollege: UndecidedCareer: BusinessSignificant Educators:Laurie Klok andMatthew HawkinsAlissa Joyce BahrHackett Catholic CentralParents: Crystal and Allen BahrCollege: UndecidedCareer: Pursue a M.D./PhDSignificant Educators:Colleen Chapotonand ChristopherAdrianAidan BaldwinHackett Catholic CentralParents: Suzann and RogerBaldwinCollege: Notre DameCareer: UndecidedSignificant Educators:Kathleen Briggs andRachele ReidelWonder, rather than doubt, is the root of our“knowledge.”- Abraham HeschelS“ o I say: Don’t hold back. Don’t be shy. Stepforward in every way you can to plan boldly, speakSarah BertmanKalamazoo Central High SchoolParents: Joan Hawxhurst andSteven BertmanCollege: University of MichiganCareer: Considering a medicaldegreeSignificant Educators:Becky Cooper andMark CardwellAbigail Rose GreenKalamazoo Central High SchoolParents: Elizabeth and GlennGreenCollege: American UniversityCareer: DiplomacySignificant Educators:Veronique Jewell andTasia StamosAdena LeibbrandKalamazoo Central High SchoolParents: Louise Wright andKurt Lie-brandCollege: UndecidedCareer: Working with communities in South orCentral AmericaSignificant Educators: Rex Haferand Michael Sinclairclearly, to offer the leadership which the worldPaige Maguireneeds.”Kalamazoo Central High SchoolParents: Beth Ann and RalphMaguireCollege: Kalamazoo CollegeCareer: Design renewable energytechnologies.Significant Educators:Mark Cardwell andMichael Milka- Claudia “Lady Bird” JohnsonI f you study to remember, you will forget, but if“you study to understand, you will remember.”- AnonymousAli Marie RussoKalamazoo Central High SchoolParents: Diane and Ron RussoCollege: Central MichiganUniversityCareer: Interest in Statistics andPolitical Science.Significant Educators:Joesph Weber andDaniel Carlson.Excellence in Education DayMatthew WeaverKalamazoo Central High SchoolParents: Debbie and JohnWeaverCollege: UndecidedCareer: Biological research withan M.D. Ph.D.Significant Educators:Becky Cooper andSandra Gagie.Page 3Laura Hartsough WheelerKalamazoo Central High SchoolParents: Denise Hartsough andMark WheelerCollege: Case Western ReserveUniversityCareer: Systems and ControlEngineering.Significant Educators:Ken Briggs andMark Cardwell.Nicholas WhitmoreKalamazoo Central High SchoolParents: Jamie WhitmoreCollege: University of MichiganCareer: LawSignificant Educators:Elaine Sayre andKari LuckettApril 27, 2012“T he knowledge of the world is only to be acquiredin the world, and not in a closet.”- Lord ChesterfieldExcellence in Education DayPage 20April 27, 2012
vocabulary, quality assessmentsand best-practice instruction.David KoningKalamazoo Christian SchoolsKoning and key members ofthe Kalamazoo Christian staff,will attend the Associationof Middle Level EducatorsAnnual Conference and Exhibitin Portland, Oregon, to gainmore knowledge on studentneeds at the middle level gradesincluding relevant, meaningful,challenging, open and globallyconscious insights to improvetheir delivery of qualityeducation.Susan Kallewaard/ColetteKonkle/Mary RoobolPortage Public SchoolsThis team of elementaryteachers will attend The DailyFive and The Daily CaféWorkshops; enhance readinginstruction by focusing onindividual student needs andsmall group instruction. Inaddition, they will facilitateinstruction for their colleaguesby sharing strategies learnedupon their return.Mary Rogers/Stacy HousmanSchmitzerPortage Public SchoolsRogers and a team of educatorswill travel to Atlanta, Georgiato visit the Ron Clark AcademyExcellence in Education Dayto learn instructional strategiesthat meet the needs of alllearners. The educator trainingwill include school climate andculture to promote studentsuccess along with strategies foreffective classroom discipline andincreasing student engagementthrough higher orderquestioning.solving, balancing equations andnumber works.Christin Clarice DeWitToni Thole/Michael Roy/Allison LamersVicksburg Community SchoolsThis team will attend TheLeadership Blueprint inColorado Springs, Coloradoas a follow up to the three-dayFlippen Group Capturing Kids’Hearts professional developmentto continue their journey toencompass and empower thewhole child along the educationalspectrum by obtaining leadershipskills to increase relationships inand out of the classroom.Page 19Kalamazoo Christian High SchoolParents: Susan and BruceUchimuraCollege: UndecidedCareer: Piano Performance andPolitical ScienceSignificant Educators:Bill Hoffman andJill ChristianMary Elizabeth FarnerMarissa Rae Klee-PeregonLanden Persifor WoodsmithLynsey Marie DeGraafLoy Norrix High SchoolParents: Betsy and Peter FarnerCollege: Yale UniversityCareer: Physics / ComputerScienceSignificant Educators:Michael Sinclair andShannon HoutrouwChris VanderMei / MichelleWester /Tammy Lovins /Diana Haring / Laura Wilson /Cyndi FrakesVicksburg Community SchoolsThis team of teachers will visitMadison Consolidated Schoolsin Madison, Wisconsin, toobserve mathematics instruction(Balanced Mathematics) in anelementary building to bringback strategies to the districton math fact fluency, problem-Loy Norrix High SchoolParents: Dawn Wood andQuentin SmithCollege: UndecidedCareer: Research in physics andbiologySignificant Educators:Lynda Stevens andMatthew PorcoApril 27, 2012Marissa Sachiko UchimuraKalamazoo Christian High SchoolParents: Joanne and RobertDeWitCollege: Calvin CollegeCareer: PsychiatristSignificant Educators:Mike Lubbers andBill HoffmanRewarding Excellence For the FutureLoy Norrix High SchoolParents: Michelle Klee and KenPeregonCollege: UndecidedCareer: Work for or start anonprofitSignificant Educators:Ben Bakalyar andBecky Cooper.Parchment High SchoolParents: Lisa and Bert DeGraafCollege: Neimeyer Honors Collegeat Grand Valley StateUniversityCareer: UndecidedSignificant Educators: JodieLugar-McManusand Russ IuniPage 4Aya AbeHannah Grace BoleyAlexandra PinesJordan SwopeLoy Norrix High SchoolParents: Yumi and CharlesSpatesCollege: UndecidedCareer: NeuroscienceSignificant Educators:Megan Kizer andLori TalbottLoy Norrix High SchoolParents: Joyce and Brad PinesCollege: Barnard CollegeCareer: Tenured professorship inEnglish or HistorySignificant Educators:Becky Cooper andMatthew Porco.Mitch HansonParchment High SchoolParents: Amy and Randy HansonCollege: UndecidedCareer: BusinessSignificant Educators:Jason Misner andJake Klinger.Loy Norrix High SchoolParents: Diane and John BoleyCollege: University of MichiganCareer: Pediatric NursingSignificant Educators:Matthew Porco andSarah GilbertLoy Norrix High SchoolParents: Kim and Scott SwopeCollege: University of MichiganCareer: Journalism andtheatrical fieldSignificant Educators:Megan Kizer andArthur WilliamsRebecca Lynn SigourneyParchment High SchoolParents: Kristen and TimSigourneyCollege: University of MichiganCareer: Physical TherapySignificant Educators:Elizabeth Honeysettand Kevin HuffExcellence in Education Day
Elayna CreedPortage Central High SchoolParents: Lisa and Stephen CreedCollege: UndecidedCareer: UndecidedSignificant Educators:Patricia Christopherand Mark SutherlandLeah PeircePortage Central High SchoolParents: Diane and David PeirceCollege: UndecidedCareer: UndecidedSignificant Educators:John Goudie andKent BakerWill DeVriesPortage Central High SchoolParents: Debra and Peter ChaffeeCollege: Michigan TechnologicalUniversityCareer: Computer ProgrammingSignificant Educators:Kathleen Myers andPatricia ChristopherGrady SerticPortage Central High SchoolParents: Lisa and James SerticCollege: UndecidedCareer: PhysicistSignificant Educators:Scott Friesner andMichael SinclairStephen Chiramukathu John Kevin LiPortage Central High SchoolParents: Jeena and Sunil JohnCollege: Western MichiganUniversityCareer: MedicineSignificant Educators:Mellisa Moreno andPam HorneckDaniel TummPortage Central High SchoolParents: Marta Tumm-Deceasedand Brian TummCollege: University of ChicagoCareer: EconomicsSignificant Educators:Carla Kelly andKarin CodePortage Central High SchoolParents: Xueyan and Wumin LiCollege: Duke UniversityCareer: PhysicianSignificant Educators:Modhi Alshehri andJohn GoudieTroy SmithVicksburg Community SchoolsSmith will attend an AdvancedScreenwriting class at the MaineMedia Workshops in Rockport,Maine. To enhance his countywide Education for the Artsclasses, he will develop strongwriting and storytelling skills,creativity and organizationaltechniques.Administrator GrantXinyuan (Tom) ZhangPortage Central High SchoolParents: Lifen Lu and Zhiyu(Andy) ZhangCollege: University of ChicagoCareer: UndecidedSignificant Educators:Sara Heil andJanet LaVasseurDale D. MogajiKalamazoo Public SchoolsMogaji will participate in theMontessori Administrator’sCredential Program at TheCollege of St. Catherine in St.Paul, Minnesota to increase hisprofessional repertoire as anadministrator and instructionalleader by focusing on ways todevelop, align, and implementcurriculum for early childhood.Building-Wide /Multi-Educator GrantsAaron Thomas DeanPortage Northern High SchoolParents: Kathy and Thomas DeanCollege: Western MichiganUniversityCareer: Mechanical EngineerSignificant Educators:Sharon Lockett andSheri SmithExcellence in Education DayDanielle Elise MelgarPortage Northern High SchoolParents: Francine and ThomasMelgarCollege: UndecidedCareer: MedicineSignificant Educators:Todd Wells andLeanne LarsonPage 5Brinna MichaelPortage Northern High SchoolParents: Erin and Tim MichaelCollege: UndecidedCareer: UndecidedSignificant Educators:Jean Friedman andLinda HolzwarthAlexander DeBliek MillerPortage Northern High SchoolParents: Nancy DeBliek andCharles MillerCollege: University ofMichiganCareer: Sound EngineerSignificant Educators:Jeanne Burnham andGayle LindsayApril 27, 2012Angela Carey / ShannonHoward / Stacy SchrepperComstock Public SchoolsThis team will attend theTeaching Proficiency throughReading & Storytelling (TRPS)for the Spanish languageconference in Las Vegas,Nevada, to gain extensivetraining in second languageRewarding Excellence For the Futureacquisition and the skillsnecessary to teach proficiency toall level learners.Deborah Heyboer / SueFeddema / Jeralyn FolkersmaKalamazoo Christian SchoolsThis team will attend TheInternational ReadingAssociation Convention inChicago, Illinois, to gatherthe latest research-basedinstructional strategiesfor fostering literacy anddifferentiating their approach indirect reading instruction andcontent area reading.Susan Benton / RebeccaLearnerKalamazoo Public SchoolsThis team of counselors willattend the National Organizationof School Counselor Advocacy– “Charting Bright Futures forAll Students”. They will attendto attain skills and knowledgeto support students and leadcollaborative communitypartnerships promoting collegeand career readiness. Inaddition, hands-on strategiesand tools that can be used totransform school counselingtechniques and practices will belearned.Jodie Lugar-McManus /Jennifer BillingtonParchment School DistrictThis team of teachers will attendPage 18the National Science Teacher’sAssociation Conference inSan Antonio, Texas to acquirerelevant information, techniquesand resources to invigoratecontent lesson plans.Karen Stevens / Kimberly PalmsParchment School DistrictStevens & Palms will travel toAtlanta, Georgia to visit theRon Clark Academy to learninstructional strategies that meetthe needs of all learners andsupport parent education. Theeducator training will includeschool climate and culture topromote student success alongwith strategies for effectiveclassroom discipline andincreasing student engagementthrough higher orderquestioning.District/Multi-District/School Cluster GrantsAmie McCawGull Lake Community SchoolsMcCaw and her administratorcolleagues plan to attend theSchool Improvement InnovationSummit/Common Core Institutewith national educationalexperts on further developingtheir district-wide professionallearning community work,including the implementation ofthe common core, response tointervention (RtI), differentiatedinstruction, building academicExcellence in Education Day
EducatorincentivegrantsThrough the Excellence in Education Incentive Award program, educators have the opportunity to strive forpersonal and professional excellence in order to remain on the cutting edge of their profession. The purpose of thesegrants is to assist educators to become more proficient in their ability to teach the youth of the county, as well as toencourage collaboration among educators.Grants awarded include: Individual Incentive Grants of up to 550 will be awarded to selected K-12 educators, and administrators. Inaddition to individual grants, several grants that emphasize collaboration among educators, school buildings orschool districts are also awarded. Collaboration grants are allocated as follows: Building-Wide or Multi-Educator Grants at 1,000 each District-Wide or School Cluster Grants at 1,500 eachEach district or school provides a 25 percent dollar match to the direct costs of any grant awarded by Excellencein Education to any individual educator or group of educators in their employ. For any grant award that crosses schooldistrict lines (i.e. a cluster of art teachers across the county), the 25 percent match is prorated accordingly.Emily Parker MorganWilliam Sawyer IIIAlexandra Nicole VizardBethany Brooke VanderBerg Charles Walker EdickReformed Heritage Christian SchoolParents: Carol and Paul VanderBergCollege: Western MichiganUniversityCareer: Elementary EducationSignificant Educators:Eunice Kuiper andKari CollisonSchoolcraft High SchoolParents: LaDonna and MarkEdickCollege: Kalamazoo CollegeCareer: MedicineSignificant Educators: KirkWiersma and JoshuaWilloughbyElizabeth A. KedrowiczEmily Marya BerryReid BlanchettAudrey Marie JensenSarah Elizabeth ManskiClara Elizabeth SchriemerPortage Northern High SchoolParents: Sharon MorganCollege: Oberlin CollegeCareer: UndecidedSignificant Educators:Bryan Hill andBecky MoonNathan PeckPortage Northern High SchoolParents: Ann and Greg PeckCollege: UndecidedCareer: NeurologistSignificant Educators:Sara Heil andLeo HazenPortage Northern High SchoolParents: Nancy and Alan SawyerCollege: University of MichiganCareer: Computer Science /EngineeringSignificant Educators:Shannon Houtrouwand Mark CardwellPortage Northern High SchoolParents: Barbara and Kevin VizardCollege: undecidedCareer: AccountantSignificant Educators:Amy Meyer andDenny Vogel.CriteriaCriteria used to evaluate grant applications address the project goal, the educators’ recent professional activitiesrelated to the project goal, relevancy of the proposed project to the district’s goals, and a written explanation of projectactivities and outcomes.Individual Teacher GrantsTracy DanielComstock Public SchoolsDaniel plans to attend theNational Strength andConditioning AssociationConference in Providence,Rhode Island, to learn aboutand bring back to her districtthe most up-to-date, cuttingedge, exciting fitness-relatedinformation to students andstaff. The conference will focuson conditioning, sports nutritionand functional training.Nancy KleeKalamazoo Public SchoolsKlee will attend the Williamand Mary School of EducationCenter for Gifted Education’s2012 Summer Institute inWilliamsburg, Virginia, toincrease the number of studentsExcellence in Education Daycapable of success in high schoolAdvanced Placement coursesand Academically Talented,specifically looking to addresscurriculum for underservedpopulations.Lincolnshire, Illinois, to increasethe systemic use of data from avariety of sources and to analyzethe impact of instructionalmethods and practices onstudent achievement.Sveri Stromsta MayKalamazoo Public SchoolsMay plans to travel to Peru tohave a hands-on opportunityinteracting with families andstudents in a developing thirdworld country to enhance classdiscussions and make WorldHistory examples relevant andmeaningful to her students.Allison LamersVicksburg Community SchoolsLamers will take a two-weekcourse in Madrid, Spain throughEndorex, an organization thatfocuses on teaching Spanish tochildren of all ages and adultsin business as well as educatingSpanish teachers on bestmethodologies and pedagogywhen teaching Spanish tonon-native Spanish teachers.Elizabeth WurtzSt. Augustine Cathedral SchoolWurtz will attend theProfessional LearningCommunities Institute inPage 17April 27, 2012Vicksburg High SchoolParents: Jill and MichaelBlanchettCollege: UndecidedCareer: Molecular GeneticPathologistSignificant Educators:Daryl Zartman andPaul GephartRewarding Excellence For the FutureVicksburg High SchoolParents: Julie and Gary JensenCollege: Western MichiganUniversityCareer: DentistSignificant Educators:Christina Kosiba andKellie VanderKolkPage 6Schoolcraft High SchoolParents: Sue and Jerry KedrowiczCollege: Grand Valley StateUniversityCareer: MedicineSignificant Educators:Joshua Willoughbyand Manda TruittVicksburg High SchoolParents: Sharon and John ManskiCollege: Kalamazoo CollegeCareer: Computer Programmer/ComputationalPhysicist.Significant Educators:Shannon Houtrouwand Amanda Szczesny.Vicksburg High SchoolParents: Denise and ScottCollege: Michigan StateUniversityCareer: Animal ResearchSignificant Educators:Michael Goerge andKim ArmitageVicksburg High SchoolParents: Paula and DavidSchriemerCollege: Hope CollegeCareer: MedicineSignificant Educators:Michael Goerge andAmanda SzczesnyExcellence in Education Day
useful, he studies it because he delights in it and hedelights in it because it is beautiful.”- Henri Jules Poincare.Significant EducatorsThe following significant educators were nominated by the outstanding seniors throughout Kalamazoo Countyand were selected for their impact on each student’s educational experience.Many of those mentioned below agree that, as educators, there is no greater reward than the knowledge thatyou have made a difference in the life of a student. The dedication, perseverance and continuing educationalprocess these educators embody guarantee their students the most up-to-date information and techniques availableanywhere.We proudly salute these significant educators, selected not by a jury of their peers, but by the students whoselives they have changed.“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.”-Henry Brooks Adams (1838-1918) American historian, journalist and novelist.Christopher Adrian - Hackett CatholicCentral High SchoolStudent Comments: “Mr. Adrian is a teacherthat takes an interest in his students as people.He is a phenomenal teacher, transferring hisknowledge of history in a way that is interestingand interactive. He trusts his students to learnthe material, and helps build on their knowledge of history, making connections that allowhis students to retain the information. He ispassionate about his job, and it is evident to allof his students.”Alissa BahrModhi Alshehri - Mathematics and Physics,Kalamazoo Area Mathematics and Science Center“I have known Kevin Li for the past three yearsas a student in my classroom. He has sharpintellect, passion for learning, and a desire forexcellence. He has a positive attitude, alwayshelpful to his peers, and has an infectious smile.In addition to being an excellent student, he isan accomplished athlete.”Student Comments: “Mr. Alshehri has helpedto cultivate and challenge my mathematicalthinking throughout my high school career. Hehas impressed upon me the value and applicability of mathematics, while pushing me toachieve higher standards and greater knowledge. His classes have been not only some ofthe most challenging I have ever taken, but alsosome of the most rewarding. Mr. Alshehri hasmade an impact on my academic career, and hislessons will continue to help me in my futureendeavors.”Kevin LiKim Armitage - Advanced Placement Biology,Vicksburg High SchoolStudent Comments: “Mrs. Armitage has been amajor influence on my life. While she did teachme all about Biology, she was able to help mewith so much more. For example, she helpedme develop better study habits, and providedme with different ways of looking at new orunfamiliar material. She encouraged me to dodifficult things by saying her classic phrase,“Because it’s good for you!” Having Mrs. Armitage as a teacher has made me more preparedto enter the world of college, and I am gratefulExcellence in Education Daythat I have had the chance to get to know heron a personal level.”Emily berryBenjamin Bakalyar - Mathematics, LoyNorrix High School“Students need an environment that is bothchallenging and engaging if we want them tobe able to reach their potential. By fosteringa classroom that allows for open discussionsand encourages students to learn from theirmissteps as well as their successes, I try to pushstudents to become learners who are willingto question the status quo and push throughdifficulties.”Student Comments: “Mr. B’s confidence in hisstudents’ ability to succeed is unwavering. I appreciate this both for my sake—Mr. B refusedto let me think I was bad at math (a delusionI’d harbored for years) and encouraged meto challenge myself—and for the sake of mypeers. By banning even the slurs and derogatory language overlooked by most teachers,Mr. B also managed to create in his classroomone of the safer “safe-spaces” at Loy Norrix,something I am definitely grateful for.”Marissa Klee-PeregonKent Baker –History, Portage Central HighSchoolStudent Comments: “Kent Baker was significant to my education because whenever I’min his class, I feel like I am genuinely learningsomething new every day. It is because of hisclass in my freshman year that I began to lovehistory. In addition, as the director of PortageCentral’s chapter of the National Honors Society, he provided me with numerous opportunities for community service that enriched myhigh school experience.”Leah PeirceRob Bradford - English, Sociology, and Col-lege Readiness Loy Norrix High SchoolStudent Comment: “Rob Bradford is theyouth director at the First PresbyterianChurch of Kalamazoo. He has transformedthe youth program and has inspired studentsto grow as people as well as in faith. His commitment to his students is amazing and hePage 7encourages students in everything that they do.He is readily available to talk to and is willingto help in any situation. He serves as a greatrole model for young people and as long as hestays with the church, it will continue to be agreat place for students to be.”Nathan MurrayKathleen Briggs - Hackett Catholic CentralStudent Comment: “Ms. Briggs’ signaturehumor, sarcasm, and ability to relate to herstudents on a more casual level, earns hera place as a cult figure among the Hackettstudent body. The more relaxed atmospherein her invigoratingly challenging classroomsparks banter, debate, and discussion whichnever fails to be enjoyable and intelligent. Ms.Briggs is the best all-around teacher I haveever had. I doubt that many kids can say theylook forward to their A.P. English class the waymy fellow students and I do.”Aidan BaldwinKen Briggs - Electronics & Robotics, Kalamazoo Central High SchoolStudent Comment: “Mr. Briggs helped medecide that I want to study engineering incollege. Because of his work experience as anengineer, he was able to an
College: Undecided Career: Working with commu-nities in South or Central America Significant Educators: Rex Hafer and Michael Sinclair Paige Maguire Kalamazoo Central High School Parents: Beth Ann and Ralph Maguire College: Kalamazoo College technologies. Significant Educators: Mark Cardwell and Michael Milka Ali Marie Russo
