Honoring Teachers Who Made a Difference

Most of us have at least one teacher who made a positive difference in our lives. Whether it was in grade school, during high school or college, educators helped shape who we are today. In honor of National Teacher Appreciation Day a few of our co-workers shared about their favorite teachers.

I attended St. John’s Lutheran School in Grand Haven from 3rd-8th grade, and because we were a small school, we had split grades (3-4, 5-6, 7-8). Mrs. Mary Bishop (3-4), Mrs. Deborah Kolberg (5-6) and Mr. Gary Bishop all invested in our academic and spiritual growth. They were instrumental in my own life as they encouraged service to the church as students as acolyte and ushers, coached our sports teams and kept me on track through the years when my parents got divorced. I grew to appreciate each of them more as the years passed by.

Brady D., Sr Manager LVD Contractor Management

I had a very impactful teacher throughout my high school years, her name was Cindy Nunn, she was the most respectable, funny, and caring teacher at my high school. She had an infectious smile and genuinely loved her students. There are some teachers you meet that you just know they were born to be teaching and caring for students. She passed away of cancer a few years after I graduated back in 2019, but she was like the “mom” of the school. She taught Physical Education, Health and more extracurriculars. If anyone should be given a shoutout it would most definitely be her. I was a new student back in 2016 and it was hard starting at a new school; she was there every day asking me how my day was and making sure I felt seen. She loved sunflowers, life is good shirts and golden retriever puppies. I miss her every day and she will never be forgotten.

Fiore M., Customer Service Representative

One of our daughters has a reading tutor that has been meeting with her for over a year now consistently. She has not only assisted our daughter with her reading proficiency but has helped our daughter in her self-confidence and self-assurance as she works through different challenges. Watching our daughter flourish after so many years of struggling has been such a gift to my mom heart and our family. Her name is Sara Veeneman, and we are incredibly grateful for her diligence and dedication to the support she graciously provides our family.