GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Lisa Botsford has spent her entire 22-year teaching career at Kenowa Hills High School, and when we surprised her as our next Teacher of the Week, she said it’s a privilege to be a part of her students’ lives.
“I love teaching. It is everything to me and the fact that they would do this for me is just really – it’s so unbelievable,” said Botsford.
Kenowa Hills High School principal Nate Robrahn said, “I’ve always appreciated this, that WZZM does this.”
“I am feeling elated. This is probably the biggest praise that a teacher could receive, that their students see them as someone has helped them and that’s what teaching is all about,” said Botsford.
After growing up in Grand Rapids, the longtime teacher said Kenowa Hills High School is always where she wanted to be.
“I love it here and I wanted to be here, and I just have tons of wonderful students and memories and it’s been a great place to be and a great career.”
Robrahn telling 13 ON YOUR SIDE, “Lisa is wonderful, and her kids really enjoy her, and she’s made a big impact on our building, as well.”
“It’s the best job in the world. It’s the most important job in the world and it’s a privilege to get to be a part of these guys’ life,” said Botsford.
Our crew asked her what gets her out of bed each day. Pointing to her students, she said, “These guys do, for sure. They are our future and to get to be a part of that and helping them meet their goals – it’s pretty special.”
“Lisa is a powerhouse for us. She’s actually an instructional coach, too. So, she coaches some of my other teachers,” said Robrahn, adding, “As she said, this is a very important job and she takes it as such and wants to help everybody else be better, too.”
It’s an industry this teacher says is needing more young people.
“Teachers work hard. They put a lot of hours in beyond just the school day, and we need to recognize that, and we need to really encourage young people to join the teaching profession,” said Botsford.
She also said, “We are in our classrooms doing our job and I would never expect anything like this. So, this is real exciting.”
“We’re in a difficult time right now but these folks do it because they love it and they love all of the children that come here each and every day,” said Robrahn, before reiterating, “This is the most important job in the world, and we do have an impact much farther than just our own communities.”
Our newest Teacher of the Week said, “I’ve done this job for a long time, and I love it, and this is just definitely icing on the cake.”
If you have someone you’d like to nominate as our next Teacher of the Week, just text the word “teacher” to 616-559-1310.
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