GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Teacher of the Week is back!
If there's a teacher in your life who you think deserves some recognition, here's your chance!
13 ON YOUR SIDE Mornings is launching Teacher of the Week.
Here's how it works:
Send in your nominations to our email at news@13onyourside.com or text us at 616-559-1310. Make sure to include a short explanation of why the educator deserved to be recognized, as well as a photo.
Then every Monday, a winner will be announced.
OFFICIAL RULES: Nominating Teachers of the Week
Teacher of the Week Winners
On May 3, the winner of Teacher of the Week was Kate Kloppe, a first and second grade teacher at Century Park Learning Center in Grandville. Kloppe’s nominator said she is always kind and gentle with the kids, and is always willing to help. Kloppe said that although the unique year has posed challenges, a lot can be learned from how the kids have handled it.
On May 10, the winner of Teacher of the Week was Kathy VanderMeer – a kindergarten teacher at Reeths-Puffer Elementary School in Muskegon. VanderMeer has been a teacher for 20 years, spending more than half a decade with Reeths-Puffer. Her nominator said that the teacher loves and cares for all her students, even those not in her classroom, and makes everyone feel welcome.
On May 17, the winner of Teacher of the Week was Whitehall Middle School teacher Craig Christensen. Christensen teaches English and coaches wrestling. The Reeths-Puffer graduate was nominated by a viewer who said Christensen is a role model for all who know him.
On May 24, the winner of Teacher of the Week was Kimberly Fink from Cannonsburg Elementary School. A parent nominated Fink, saying in part that she is attentive to the emotional needs of her students and is an amazing ally to parents while their children are at school.
On May 31, the winner of Techer of the Week was Amanda Hite of Pine Island Elementary School in the Comstock Park Public School District. Hite is a music teacher and has been with the district for nearly two decades. Her nominator said she puts so much of herself into the kids, and does it with the happiest, most upbeat heart you could imagine.
On June 7, the winner of Teacher of the Week was Sarah Lema from Oakwood Intermediate School in the Allendale Public Schools district. Lema has been teaching 5th graders online throughout the school year. A parent nominated her, saying Lema makes classes interactive and interesting for the kids, even while dealing with the challenges that come with converting in-person teaching to the Zoom world.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
