I always knew I wanted to work with kids in some way or another. As it turns out, that way was working with them right here at Fruitport Middle School where I once roamed the halls as a student myself!

As John Elliot says, "History shows us that people who end up changing the world are always nuts, until they are right, and then they are geniuses."  History is always changing and being created simultaneously. Learning about history allows us to have conversations about the world. We are challenged to talk about how people change, how they stay the same, ideas of right and wrong, intent, and the intended and unintended consequences of behaviors. These discussions help us grow as individuals and also as a community of people.

I recently moved from Charlotte, NC where I taught 7th, 8th, and 9th grade math since 2008. This will be my first year at Fruitport and I am excited for what this year will bring!  One of the best things about teaching for me, is that every year will bring new and exciting adventures.  I get to learn the personalities of my students and how I can help them reach their potential.  A quote that has stuck with me since my middle school days is from Dr. Seuss, “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” 

I grew up in the Muskegon Area truly enjoying everything that Michigan has to offer.  I spent many summer afternoons at the Lake Michigan Shoreline with my mom, and many evenings in the woods with my dad as he is an avid hunter and has a true love of training beagles.  I later began playing sports year round and started to ski as well.  I still love being outside and being active.  

Helping others has always been important to me.  My hope is that my students know I care about their learning and well-being.  I have been teaching at Fruitport Middle School for many years and currently teach seventh and eighth grade science.  I have had the privilege of teaching sixth, seventh and eighth graders.  I earned my Bachelor of Science in Group Science (with a mathematics emphasis) from Grand Valley State University.

I really enjoy working with people, and I love my students because I know that I can help guide them and teach them about math and life.

My favorite quote is from Dr. Seuess, " Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."

I am incredibly fortunate to teach at Fruitport because the district offers the perfect combination of expansive learning opportunities with a close-knit community feel.  

I truly enjoy working at Fruitport Middle School. It's a pleasure to get to know the kids and I strive to make a positive impact and difference when I can. 

I love working at Fruitport Middle School as an Instructional Assistant.  It is a joy to work with the kids and the awesome staff.

I love sharing my passion for science and seeing students learn through hands-on experiences. I want my students to feel like they belong, that they can be successful, and to be curious about the world around them.

"The only way to learn mathematics is to do mathematics." Paul Hamos.  I love sharing my passion for math with students and I want to give all students a chance to discover their inner mathematician.  I want my students to learn that every person is capable of being a mathematician if they are willing to try. 

I have enjoyed watching students come in and their journey to learning how to read and the excitement when they can read a whole book on their own and their choosing of a Genre that they enjoy.

Music education, to me, is a great way to help students find something that they can enjoy, learn dedication and perseverance from, and be a part of a community that is supportive and fun.  Music is something people can have their whole lives, whether it is as a profession or as extra-curricular enjoyment.

I have been teaching a Fruitport Middle school for more than 20 years. I began as a special education teacher and then moved into the area of physical education. I am also the Fruitport High School Cross-Country and Girls High School Track Coach.

 I am beyond excited to start my career at Fruitport Middle School as Principal.  I believe all students can learn and achieve desired goals.  I am excited to work with this amazing staff and students at Fruitport Middle School. 

As a School Psychologist, I aim to build positive and supportive connections with students. I always strive to be a listening ear and a shoulder to lean on. 

I enjoy every second of my day from meeting students in groups, presenting in classrooms, talking one-on-one, or just chatting in the hallways.

Teaching chose me. What else could I do that would combine my passions for learning, mathematics, and making a difference with our youth?! Learning is a life journey and it begins with the opportunities education provides. I am grateful to be a part of each student’s academic and behavioral success.

My favorite aspect of teaching is building connections with many different students. Every student has a different story and one of my favorite things to do is learn about everyone's story. Also, every day is different from the previous one. I try to let my students know that each morning is a new opportunity to have a great day. Watching a student work hard, persevere, and reach their goals is the most rewarding part of my job.

Math, science, and social studies are important courses that our students need for our society to function.  Art, poetry, design, love, beauty, and music are what our souls live for.

“Commit yourself to lifelong learning. The most valuable asset you will ever have is your mind and what you put into it.” –  Albert Einstein. I hope to share my love of learning with my students and to show them the world of possibilities that hard work and dedication can open up for them.

While serving in the US Navy Seabees, I was blessed to be able to take classes from many great colleges and universities. I was able to complete an Associate of Arts General Program degree from the University of Alaska, Anchorage. I then went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Excelsior College which allowed me to complete a Master of Education in School Counseling from Bowie State University leading to my school counselor certification. To round things off and to get my secondary teaching certification in math, computer science, and psychology, I completed a Bachelor of Science degree in math and computer science from Grand Valley State University. I was also a certified EMT at one point and have a Journeyman Electrician license for the State of Michigan.

Outside of school I love to cycle, run, kayak, tinker with electronics and build things with my family. I have an amazing wife, 3 great boys ages 16, 18, and 20, and a sweet goldendoodle and I love spending time with them.

No day, hour, class, or student is the same. Every day in the classroom brings its own unique joys and surprises. I feel lucky to be a part of the Fruitport family and to be able to help shape the minds of the future! I strive to create a welcoming environment that also challenges students to be the best they can be. I look forward to the adventure that this year will bring! 

Building positive relationships with students and the community are my favorite parts about being in the education field.

Hello! I am the middle and high school choir director and am so excited to share my love and passion for music with the Fruitport community. Students are loved and cared for in the choir classroom and gain an appreciation for music, as well as music literacy and vocal technique skills. 

My favorite thing about teaching and my educational philosophy is to make connections with my students.  I strongly believe that positive relationships in the classroom is the key to having a successful learning environment.  My goal each school year is to make that positive connection with each and everyone of my students to foster their education.  

Technology is always changing and students need to be prepared to change with it. Efficiency is important, just because you are using technology does not mean you are working efficiently. Our classroom explores a lot of different programs and often discusses different and more efficient ways to use technology to get a task done.  I love teaching students the topic of technology, it is always changing and always fun!

My time growing up was spent enjoying numerous outdoor activities in West Michigan (such as boating, fishing, camping, hiking, soccer, beach volleyball) and traveling the country with my family through various modes (car, RV, boat, train, airplane). These experiences fed a curiosity about life and love of experiencing and learning new things that has continued into adulthood.  While I still enjoy all of those activities of my youth, I am often drawn to new ventures such as teaching myself to play the keyboard and dabbling in photography.

Psychology, social work, families, and education have always been my passions. As a Psychology and Family Studies major at Cornerstone University, I never knew exactly how my passions would come together in the future, but I knew that somehow they would.  

I have enjoyed watching students think and create.  I believe each child is a unique individual who needs security, a nurturing environment and the ability to let their curiosity lead their learning.  Fruitport Middle School has allowed me the opportunity to foster that within my students.

I am honored and excited to serve as the Fruitport Middle School Assistant Principal. As a child, I had some amazing teachers and coaches who pushed me out of my comfort zone and challenged me to be more than I thought I was capable of. The way my teachers & coaches believed in me inspired me to pursue a career in education. I now work daily to support, motivate, and inspire those I work with to achieve anything they set their minds to!!

I hope that I can give students a safe and supportive place to learn and grow as individuals. Middle school is a great time in a student's life, as they are so impressionable. Science is a wonderful way for students to use their past, present and future experiences to create solutions. Science can integrate their knowledge of all subjects and apply them to real world problems.

I enjoy the newness that each day brings as a teacher.  There is not one day similar to the next, which makes my job super interesting!

Most of my free time and enjoyment is focused on family and friends. I also love to travel when time allows. I am continuing to broaden my learning through the diverse traveling experiences that I’ve shared with my husband.  These experiences have broadened my cultural awareness and have given me a greater appreciation for my educational career path.  My passion remains in helping support students who have academic and behavioral needs within the classroom setting.

I graduated from Grand Valley State University with a B.A. in Special Education and Psychology. I have endorsements in both cognitive impairments and learning disabilities. I am a member of the Council for Exceptional Children and am blessed to be working in the same community in which I live.

Math has been my favorite subject since elementary school. I wanted to teach it to others so that they can understand and love the subject like I do. 

Early in life I knew I wanted to pursue a career in education and I can honestly say that I have never regretted that decision. Each day is unique and provides me the opportunity to have students engage in a variety of activities and learn more about the world around them.

I enjoy having a job that each day not only feels different from the last, but has an opportunity to become a memorable experience because of the kids with whom we we work. Teaching science to young adults is very rewarding.  I not only enjoy teaching science, I still love learning about the new discoveries that scientists are making each day.

I have taught 8th grade and currently am teaching 7th language arts.  I really enjoy my job and my students continue to amaze me with each day being new.  I graduated from CMU with a bachelor's degree and from GVSU with a Master's degree in educational leadership