Kent Career Tech Center Teacher Academy Students Earn Awards, Scholarships at Annual Celebration
GRAND RAPDIS, MI – Kent Career Tech Center Teacher Academy students and mentors received awards and scholarships at the annual end of year celebration on April 23. In addition to a pinning ceremony for all Teacher Academy students, Teacher Academy instructors presented student awards and recognized an outstanding mentor and principal who partner with the program. Three students also received $3,000 scholarships presented by Lake Michigan Credit Union (LMCU).
In the Teacher Academy program, high school students learn and practice foundational skills to be successful in classrooms as future teachers. They learn skills like lesson planning and classroom management while partnering with mentor teachers in school districts throughout Kent ISD as student teachers in a variety of subjects, settings, and grade levels.
“We have an amazing group of teachers who have poured into our students,” said Laura Robinson, Assistant Principal of Kent Career Tech Center. “We also have amazing students who, despite all odds, are excited about and look forward to entering the teaching profession.”
Lake Michigan Credit Union Board of Directors members Mike Rice and Gretchen Tellman, both former Kent Career Tech Center and Kent ISD educators, presented $3,000 scholarships to three Teacher Academy students who are planning to seek teaching degrees at universities starting in the fall. These and additional awards were presented to:
- Tanith Frank - LMCU Scholarship Recipient, Values Award
- Garrett Wells –LMCU Scholarship Recipient, Values Award
- Gracie Jackman –LMCU Scholarship Recipient, Values Award
- Hannah Kelly -Values Award
- Jillian Mosey - Values Award
- Saige Cooper - Values Award
- Jenna Verduin - Values Award
- Hailey Senneker - Values Award
- Katie Rogers Values Award
- Lauren Kasper - Golden Apple Award
- Faith Denning – Golden Apple Award
- Sara Schutt, Kent City Elementary Teacher – Outstanding Mentor Award
- Pamela Thomas, Kent City Elementary Principal – Outstanding Principal Award
Teacher Academy helps prepare students for careers in education because every student in Michigan deserves and should have excellent teachers. Currently, Michigan has a shortage of highly-qualified teachers. Teacher Academy is helping stem the issue as many students continue their education to become teachers.
Please direct media inquiries to Joy Walczak, Kent ISD Communications Specialist at joywalczak@kentisd.org or 906.632.6290.
