Betty Van Andel Teachers of Excellence
2024 Betty Van Andel Teachers of Excellence
Congratulations to our 2024 Betty Van Andel Teachers of Excellence! These outstanding teachers were selected for their hard work and dedication to their students, and for creating classrooms where curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking thrive. Our deepest thanks go out to all the recipients of this year’s Betty Van Andel Teachers of Excellence. This world is so much better because of you!
2024 Betty Van Andel Teachers of Excellence
Chris Allen
Middle School Science Teacher (Webberville Community Schools, MI)
Sonia Andrews
4th/5th Grade Teacher (Rockford Public Schools, MI)
Al Bandstra
6th Grade Teacher (Sioux Center Christian School, IA)
Nicole Bowman
High School Science Teacher (Great Lakes Virtual Academy, MI)
Jennifer Conrad
High School English Teacher (Allegan Public Schools, MI)
Kailey Faris
1st Grade Teacher (East Grand Rapids Public Schools, MI)
Grace Kneeshaw
3rd Grade Teacher (Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy, MI)
Mouhamed Mboup
High School Teacher (Arsenal Technical High School, IN)
Kirk Reifinger
4th Grade Teacher (East Grand Rapids Public Schools, MI)
Jackie Sleeman
4th/5th Grade Teacher (Kentwood Public Schools, MI)
2023 Betty Van Andel Teachers of Excellence
2023 Betty Van Andel Teachers of Excellence
Chris Conrad
HS Science Teacher (Allegan High School, MI)
Mark O'Meara
3rd Grade Teacher (Simonds Elementary, MI)
Kristin Oslund
4th Grade Teacher (Oakland Intermediate School, MI)
Colleen Shaltry
2nd Grade Teacher (Crossroads Academy, MI)
Michele Thomas
10-12th Grade Teacher (Sussex Tech High School, DE)
Julie Wilcox
High School Teacher (Cedar Springs New Beginnings, MI)
Ann Williamson
4th Grade Teacher (Roosevelt School District, AZ)
Jeanine Wilson
Middle School Teacher (Vernor Middle School - Detroit Public, MI)
Angela Works
MIddle School Teacher (Pontiac Public Schools, MI)
Kelley Ziomkowski
3rd Grade Teacher (Flat River Charter Academy, MI)
2022 Betty Van Andel Teachers of Excellence
2022 Betty Van Andel Teachers of Excellence
Nathan Gash
5th Grade Teacher (Stone Creek Elementary, KS)
Jewell Johnson
Elementary Teacher (Jefferson-Douglass Academy, MI)
Morgan Kaltz
5th Grade Teacher (Cesar E. Chavez Elementary, MI)
Sherri Kraai
6th Grade Teacher (Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy, MI)
Sarah McCormick
3rd/4th Grade Teacher (Northview Field School, MI)
Sara McGavin
High School Teacher (Mercy High School, MI)
Shannon Riley
2nd Grade Teacher (Wilkinson Early Child Development Center, MO)
Kim Sparks
High School Teacher (Allegan High School, MI)
Monica Hong-Steigner
3rd/4th Grade Teacher (Capitol Prep, FL)
Kozetta Taylor
Elementary Teacher (Jefferson-Douglass Academy, MI)
2021 Betty Van Andel Teachers of Excellence
2021 Betty Van Andel Teachers of Excellence
Robyn Anderson
2nd Grade Teacher (Cherry Creek Elementary, MI)
Tom Arnold
Elementary Science Teacher (Kirschen Elementary, CA)
Dan Del Duca
Lower School Science Teacher (The Shipley School, PA)
Colleen Heyboer
4th Grade Teacher (West Oakview Elementary, MI)
Kara Kitts
High School Science Teacher (Grand Rapids Christian High, MI)
Mark Nechanicky
4th Grade Teacher (Lakeview Elementary, MN)
Jenna Rykse
1st-2nd Grade Teacher (Northview Field School, MI)
Munira Spiller
1st Grade Teacher (Detroit Enterprise Academy, MI)
Paul Yenne
5th Grade Teacher (Steele Elementary, CO)
2020 Betty Van Andel Teachers of Excellence
2020 BETTY VAN ANDEL TEACHERS OF EXCELLENCE
Amanda Barbour
5th Grade Teacher (Kentwood Public Schools, MI)
Mary Ann Bridge
Kindergarten Teacher (St. Thomas the Apostle, MI)
Keli Christopher
Executive Director/STEM Greenhouse (Grand Rapids, MI)
Eunsub Cho
Science Teacher (Potter's House, MI)
Jane Claus
Special Education Teacher (Dickinson Academy, MI)
Paul Deboer
4th Grade Teacher (Sibley Elementary, MI)
Heather DeJonge
Science Teacher (Lowell High School, MI)
Amanda Ervin
8th Grade (Phoenix Christian School, AZ)
Helen Gillespie
5th Grade Teacher (Mulick Park Elementary, MI)
Cory Kavanagh
Instructional Specialist (Van Andel Institute, MI)
Amber Kirksey
5th Grade Teacher (Gerald R. Ford Academic Center, MI)
Susan Koppendrayer
Science Teacher (Avail Academy, MN)
Andy Losik
STEM Teacher (Hamilton Community Schools, MI)
Jon Oosterman
Instructional Specialist (Van Andel Institute, MI)
Patti Richardson
Science Teacher (Forest Hills Central, MI)
Sarah Rosema
5th Grade Teacher (Sibley Elementary, MI)
Graham Schultze
Science Teacher (Evergreen Christian Academy, MI)
Paul Solarz
5th Grade Teacher (Westgate Elementary, IL)
Renee Speed
4th Grade (Mulick Park Elementary, MI)
Danielle Vallad
5th Grade Teacher (Cannonsburg Elementary, MI)
Russ Wallsteadt
Health Science Academy Instructor (Kent Career Technical Center, MI)
Christine Wright
5th Grade Teacher (San Juan Diego Academy, MI)
Alyssa Wysocki
4th Grade Teacher (Saint Stephen Catholic, MI)
Joyce Zimmer
Science Teacher (Greenville High School, MI)
Call for Awesome
Know an awesome teacher? We’re looking for teachers who are doing amazing things in their classroom. Nominate them for our monthly “Caught Being Awesome” recognition. Every month, one awesome teacher will receive a free Blue Apple PBL unit.