2025 GivingTuesday at CIS of Kalamazoo
Thank you for your commitment to kids!
This year marks our seventh annual Team #GivingBack celebration for #GivingTuesday!
Each year, we honor one incredible staff member in every school where CIS of Kalamazoo is present. Someone who consistently goes above and beyond for students.
#GivingTuesday reminds us how powerful small acts of kindness can be, creating a ripple effect that continues far beyond one day.
Each CIS site team has chosen a partner staff member who embodies our shared commitment to supporting students, meeting their needs, and helping them thrive. For #GivingTuesday, we’re surprising each recipient with a special gift as a token of our appreciation.
Keep reading to hear about the inspiring work happening in our schools every single day.
Arcadia Elementary, Stephanie Torres – Kindergarten Teacher
Stephanie Torres advocates having her students reach academic, attendance, and behavioral goals through collaborating with the CIS staff. With a strong connection with students, she is always helping identify students that need specific academic interventions, need a coat or boots, or could benefit from the community feast holiday meal distribution. She is very involved in community engagement and helping create events for students, such as the carnival. These enrichment pieces are key to providing students with opportunities to have experiential learning.
Edison Academy, Alexis Plair – Behavior Specialist
Ms. Plair is a Behavior Specialist at our school. She also works in the after-school program. She handles situations that you don’t plan for. She is always willing to help anyone. She gets down to the bottom of situations and helps students understand actions, the reason why we do/don’t do things, and always encourages people to be their best self. Ms. Plair is dependable and works hard to create a safe environment for all to learn and succeed. Thank you, Ms. Plair, for your dedication to our staff, students, and families!
El Sol Elementary, Maria Flores (Child Account Secretary) & Luciana Trida Sanchez (Lead Secretary)
Maria is dedicated to creating positive relationships with all El Sol students. She always greets students when they come into the office and is always a great resource when it comes to attendance and connecting students to CIS.
Mrs. Lucy has been such a big help with any questions that I have related to anything for the school. She is always willing to help with anything needed to help run the program more smoothly. She is my go-to person anytime a student’s dismissal routine has changed. I can always count on her to keep me in the loop with any last-minute changes. I appreciate Mrs. Lucy so much!
Hillside Middle, Tyree Burton – Paraprofessional
Tyree Burton shows a strong commitment to working with CIS by consistently collaborating to support students, identifying students who are in need of CIS through basic needs, and donations.
Kalamazoo Central High, Mitch Zaczek – Custodian
Whenever we need something, Mitch is consistently able to provide the materials and items. He is the main custodian in the building during the day, and has helped us move tables, the kids’ closet cabinets, and more. When we have events, he helps us set up tables and chairs. He’s also helped us track down our food pantry orders when they end up at the wrong door. One person taking care of a building this size could be overwhelming, but he always makes himself available. We appreciate all his efforts and think the building just might fall apart without him.
Kalamazoo Innovative Learning Program (KILP), Mary Thomas – School Secretary
Mary is a big help to me whenever possible. She has gone the extra mile to make sure each KILP student has what they need to succeed. I can always count on her for assistance.
King-Westwood Elementary, Aimee Burgardt – 2nd Grade Teacher
Mrs. Burgart is always open to discussing and supporting student success.
Lincoln International Studies School – Isela Soto and Andria Hall – School secretaries
I work closely with both Isela and Andria. Isela helps me with getting school data for hearing & vision screening, my SOP, my Lincoln basketball teams, deliveries from FDSF & Warm Kids, Kids Closet, community partners, parent contact, printing needs and so much more. Andria and I work together on the attendance team to ensure students are coming to school, what students are at risk, who needs what support, deliveries, students’ basic needs, parent calls, and so many other things. Both have been a tremendous asset to our school and CIS partnership!
Linden Grove Middle, China Robinson – Lead Secretary
Since my very first day, our lead secretary has demonstrated a genuine commitment to Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo by consistently supporting both me and the students we serve. She is incredibly sweet, approachable, and always willing to help, whether it’s sharing information, assisting with student needs, or making sure I have what I need to support my caseload. Overall, her support, kindness, and teamwork make a meaningful difference in my ability to do my job and in our students’ ability to succeed.
Loy Norrix High, Ar’reon Hemphill (Office Secretary) & Minchie Brockman (Attendance Secretary)
Ms. Hemphill provides outstanding support and partnership in helping the CIS Staff at Loy Norrix to ensure every student’s needs are met. She goes above and beyond to help our program run smoothly. She welcomes guests who come to run small groups, she assists with calling students out of class and getting them on the bus for field trips and she is proactive when students need to be located and sent to our office while showing genuine care and teamwork in every interaction. Her reliability, kindness, and commitment make her an invaluable part of our mission to help students succeed in and out of the classroom.
Minchie is being nominated for her exceptional support of Communities In Schools as we serve students effectively. She consistently ensures that attendance records are accurate, up to date, and corrected when students participate in CIS activities inside and outside of the building. When students attend small groups and miss class periods, she helps to correct their attendance. Her attention to detail and responsiveness makes a huge difference in keeping our students’ records correct. She is quick to call students down when needed, and she always has a positive attitude. Minchie helps the CIS team by supporting students’ success and well-being.
Maple Street Middle, Katelyn Wybenga & Shana Wolstein – Special Education Teachers
Katelyn Wybenga is a steady, compassionate force in the lives of her students. As a Special Education team member, Katelynn works closely with Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo to support students on her caseload, ensuring they stay on track academically, emotionally, and socially. Katelynn brings patience, insight, and a deep understanding of her students’ needs to every collaboration. Whether it’s helping a student navigate a tough day or partnering with CIS to coordinate wraparound support, she shows up with heart and purpose. Her calm presence and thoughtful communication make her an incredible teammate and a trusted adult for so many students. We’re grateful for Katelynn’s dedication and proud to recognize her this Giving Tuesday for the difference she makes every single day.
Shana Wolstein stands out as a passionate and proactive advocate for her students. As a Special Education team member, Shana works closely with Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo to ensure that students on her caseload receive the academic, emotional, and behavioral support they need to succeed. Shana brings energy, empathy, and a solution-focused mindset to every collaboration. She’s quick to communicate, eager to partner, and always thinking one step ahead to help students stay on track. Her ability to build strong relationships with students, families, and staff makes her an essential part of the school community. This Giving Tuesday, we’re proud to recognize Shana for her unwavering commitment to student success and her incredible teamwork with CIS. Her dedication makes a lasting impact, and we’re so grateful to have her as part of the Maple Street family.
Milwood Elementary, Kimberly Knight – Lead Secretary
Mrs. Kim consistently demonstrates exceptional dedication to both staff and students. She greets everyone with warmth and positivity each day, creating a welcoming environment from the moment we enter the building. She goes above and beyond to support students and families, whether escorting students to the CIS office, connecting families with needed resources, or assisting with this year’s S.O.P. by providing key information. Mrs. Kim also lends invaluable help with administrative tasks, including preparing permission slips, behavior charts, and attendance reports that support our caseload students. Her genuine care is evident in the way she knows every student by name and personally checks in when they are absent, reflecting her deep belief that every student truly matters.
Milwood Magnet, Renee McNeal, & Lisa Loveberry – 8th Grade Teachers
These two teachers have displayed extreme care and love not only for their positions, but for the students as well.
Northeastern Elementary, Abbie Cotter (1st grade teacher) & Karen Wright (Instructional & Literacy Interventionist)
This holiday season, two incredible staff members at Northeastern have truly embodied the spirit of giving. Without hesitation, these ladies stepped up to adopt families from our school for Christmas, ensuring that our students and their loved one’s experience joy and support during this special time of year. Their selflessness and generosity shine brightly, as they are always willing to go above and beyond, even reaching into their own pockets to make a difference in the lives of our students. Their compassion and dedication reflect the heart of our school community, and we are deeply grateful for their unwavering commitment to our students and families.
Northglade Montessori Magnet, Amy Callahan – 4th / 5th Grade Teacher
Quite a few of my caseload and attendance students are in Mrs. Callahan’s classroom this year. She has been a great advocate for making sure that CIS is looped in on parent communication, relaying important information to me related to student academics, and working together as a team to ensure the best for each student in her room.
Paramount Charter Academy, Heather Greig – Paraprofessional
Before CIS was in Paramount, Ms. Greig took care of all aspects of the First Day Shoe Fund. She has a passion for this program and has asked to remain in charge of the program at Paramount. She voluntarily oversees everything from marketing, to distribution, to exchanges for First Day Shoe Fund at Paramount. Ms. Greig is a tireless worker who is committed to making sure that our students’ basic needs are met.
Parkwood Upjohn Elementary, Sneha Gardner – Teacher
Sneha has been so welcoming to me as I came into Parkwood as a new CIS Site Coordinator. She is a calm and consistent presence in the school and the classroom, and always a champion for her students and for CIS.
Phoenix High, Ajamian Gardner – Building Principal
The principal of Phoenix High School consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to working with CIS to ensure students’ needs are met and that they have every opportunity to succeed. He is an exceptional leader who supports staff, students, and CIS initiatives with equal dedication. The principal makes himself readily available to CIS staff and actively collaborates on strategies to improve attendance, behavior, academics, and social-emotional learning. His willingness to listen, provide guidance, and support new ideas has greatly strengthened CIS efforts on campus. Through his leadership and partnership, he contributes directly to positive outcomes in students’ academic performance, engagement, motivation, and overall well-being.
Prairie Ridge Elementary, Derek Minnema – HSS Behavior Support
Mr. Minnema has been a wonderful addition to the staff here at Prairie Ridge. He goes above and beyond to help support students behaviorally. He walks through the halls and makes his presence known in the classrooms. I appreciate Mr. M’s proactive vs reactive approach. He deserves to be recognized!!
Spring Valley Center for Exploration, Kathreen Fahey – Resource Room Lead
This staff has to deal with big behaviors every day and handles it all very well. The students she works with have a good amount of respect for her and she has been able to build strong relationships with them; given the struggle with behaviors.
Washington Writers’ Academy, Lynnette Harrison – 4th Grade Teacher
Mrs. Harrison consistently demonstrates a deep commitment to working with Communities In Schools (CIS) by actively collaborating to ensure that every student’s academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs are met. She communicates regularly with CIS staff, identifies students who may benefit from additional support, and follows through with interventions that promote success both in and out of the classroom. Her willingness to share insights, coordinate services, and remain flexible shows a true partnership centered on student well-being. Throughout the year, Mrs. Harrison has contributed meaningfully to academic growth by providing targeted instructional support and keeping close track of student progress. She also reinforces attendance goals by maintaining consistent routines, offering encouragement, and helping students feel connected and valued in school. Behaviorally, she models calm, restorative practices that build trust and teach students how to problem-solve and self-regulate. Her thoughtful attention to SEL needs, especially in moments when students feel overwhelmed has helped create a safe, stable environment where they can thrive. Despite the challenges that have come with this transitional school year, Mrs. Harrison has shown remarkable perseverance. She has adapted to new systems, shifting expectations, and changing student needs without losing sight of her mission: supporting children with patience, empathy, and determination. Her resilience and partnership with CIS have made a meaningful difference during a year of significant change.
Woods Lake Elementary, Natalie Orbe (Home Support Specialist) & Maria Garcia (Bilingual Paraprofessional)
Ms. Orbe is one of our greatest supporters at Woods Lake! She consistently refers students and families to CIS for services they need and frequently coordinates with us to enhance the services we offer. Ms. Orbe also helps provide connections to other community resources we might not have access to and works hand in hand making sure our students and families are served to the best of our ability!
Ms. Garcia is always supporting CIS at Woods Lake and is key to our success! She is always helping us communicate with families and students that may otherwise have a language barrier, identifies students with needs, and coordinates with us to help make sure those needs are met. She is a champion for our students and a key part of our success at Woods Lake.
Woodward School – Andrea Walker 5th Grade Teacher
Ms. Walker works closely with CIS daytime and after school. She is an expert in each of her 5th grade students and with her knowledge of CIS, supports the perfect match with services, whether it be a warm coat, an ongoing therapy appointment, or some academic tutoring, she lets us know what her students need to succeed! She serves as the After School Program Instructional lead, working with students academically two afternoons a week.
Ms. Walker has also taken on the staff board in the office, creating fun and quick community building activities for the staff that bring joy and laughter to each of us.
From all of us at Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo, thank you. We are proud to partner with you.
Tags: #GivingTuesday, Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo, GivingBack, GivingTuesday, Kalamazoo Public Schools, Paramount
