STORY BY AMY WHITE
PHOTOS BY AMANDA PITTS & DAVE MELGES
In classrooms across Battle Creek Public Schools (BCPS), early career teachers are receiving support that could change the trajectory of their careers — and their students’ lives.
Backed by a $2.25 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), Grand Valley’s College of Education and Community Innovation, which has a long-standing presence in Battle Creek through teacher preparation programs and community partnerships, is ensuring new teachers thrive in the district and that BCPS graduates succeed in college. This new grant fortifies a partnership that has been growing for years, building on nearly $17 million in grant support from WKKF dating back to 2019. It pairs first-year teachers with experienced mentors, offers professional learning communities and provides graduate-level coursework in areas like classroom management and culturally responsive education. At the same time, the program delivers specialized support for BCPS students enrolled at GVSU. The result: stronger educators, higher college retention and a growing pipeline of Battle Creek graduates ready to contribute to the local workforce.
BUILDING ON SUCCESS
Since 2019, GVSU has supported 104 novice teachers in BCPS, achieving a retention rate of 75%, which is nearly double the national average.
“This is a critical piece of the transformation because inexperienced teachers tend to be concentrated in underserved or high-poverty districts,” said Megan Russell Johnson, WKKF program officer. “This partnership works to ensure early career teachers are supported and retained, reducing the need to continually bring on new, less experienced teachers and providing a better educational experience for students.
”GVSU also has an amazing track record of support for BCPS graduates as they matriculate to the university with retention rates that are significantly higher than state and national averages.”
This work reflects WKKF’s place-based strategy of investing in communities where it has historic ties. It also highlights GVSU’s strengths in teacher preparation and guiding first-generation students to graduation.
BUILDING ON SUCCESS
Since 2019, GVSU has supported 97 novice teachers in BCPS, achieving a retention rate of 74%, which is nearly double the national average.
Lexus Baxendale, a 2021 GVSU graduate, teaches biology at Battle Creek Central High School. photo by Amanda Pitts
Lexus Baxendale, a 2021 GVSU graduate, teaches biology at Battle Creek Central High School. photo by Amanda Pitts
“This is a critical piece of the transformation because inexperienced teachers tend to be concentrated inunderserved or high-poverty districts,” said Megan Russell Johnson, WKKF program officer. “This partnership works to ensure early career teachers are supported and retained, reducing the need to continually bring on new, less experienced teachers and providing a better educational experience for students.
”GVSU also has an amazing track record of support for BCPS graduates as they matriculate to the university with retention rates that are significantly higher than state and national averages.”
This work reflects WKKF’s place-based strategy of investing in communities where it has historic ties. It also highlights GVSU’s strengths in teacher preparation and guiding first-generation students to graduation.
FROM CLASSROOMS TO DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION
Those complementary strengths are central to another major WKKF investment in Grand Valley’s presence in Battle Creek: a $10.4 million grant to GVSU Omni that is transforming a downtown building into the Battle Creek Innovation Hub in partnership with Battle Creek Unlimited, the area’s economic development group. The Innovation Hub will serve as a dynamic center for education, entrepreneurship and community engagement.
“We believe our city has tremendous economic potential that we can harness by partnering on catalytic investments, like the Innovation Hub, supporting small businesses and attracting well-paying jobs to the area, which in turn attracts more investment into housing and infrastructure and creates a thriving and vibrant community,” said Jenefer O’Dell, senior program officer for WKKF’s Battle Creek team.
The Battle Creek Innovation Hub serves as a dynamic center for education, entrepreneurship and community engagement. photo by Dave Melges
The Battle Creek Innovation Hub serves as a dynamic center for education, entrepreneurship and community engagement. photo by Dave Melges
O’Dell added that the university is an important and committed partner in Battle Creek.
”Grand Valley has developed important relationships with local institutions and organizations that focus on community economic development, education and workforce development, which align with our investment priorities in Battle Creek,” she said. ”The Battle Creek Innovation Hub will provide resources to Battle Creek and the surrounding region, allowing the city to grow its food innovation economy, strengthen regional outreach and build strong career pathways to support student and workforce success.”
“The Battle Creek Innovation Hub is more than a building: it’s a launchpad for ideas and opportunities.”
Kara Van Dam, vice president and chief executive of GVSU Omni
A CATALYST FOR COMMUNITY GROWTH
Spanning more than 10,000 square feet, the space features classrooms, commercial teaching kitchen, café, event venue and collaborative areas. Programs include stackable degrees and certificates for working adults, plus partnerships with local employers to provide internships and other high-impact experiences for students.
Kara Van Dam, vice president and chief executive of GVSU Omni, Grand Valley’s flexible education for adults, said: “The Battle Creek Innovation Hub is more than a building: it’s a launchpad for ideas and opportunities. By bringing education, entrepreneurship and community resources under one roof, we’re creating a place where people can connect, learn and build the future they envision for Battle Creek. Thanks to the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s partnership, we can deliver programs designed with and for the community.”
A celebration dedicating Grand Valley at the Battle Creek Innovation Hub was held in early October.
These grants are long-term investments in Battle Creek’s future. With GVSU’s deep local roots and proven results, the partnership is creating momentum that will benefit Southwest Michigan for generations.
Join the work in Southwest Michigan with a gift to the Southwest Michigan Access Fund.
gvsu.edu/giving/SWMI
