During its Closing Day Celebration this week, Berrien RESA recognized 7 area businesses for their longstanding commitment to the education community as Partners in Education.
“Berrien RESA is an organization consisting of 360 employees,” said Eric Hoppstock, Berrien RESA Superintendent. “We serve 24,000 students, about 3,000 school professionals, and countless families on an annual basis. However, the services and programs we provide are only as strong as the partnerships we form to deliver those opportunities. Without the help of area businesses, community groups, agencies, and volunteers, none of what Berrien RESA does would be possible.”
This year’s Partnership in Education winners include:
- Rob Wolf, Wolf Financial Advisory
Each summer, many Berrien RESA special education students enjoy a summer camp experience at Camp Leo. Due to rising costs and other logistical factors, a few years ago, Camp Leo made the difficult decision to limit the camp to those under the age of 18. This was heartbreaking news for the young adult students who live for Camp Leo. When presented with the vision of creating a second session of Camp Leo designed for young adults, one person sprang into action without hesitation. On the spot, Rob committed to a generous donation to help make that vision a reality! Following Rob’s lead, many others in our community have joined the mission to preserve this unique and life-changing program.
- Tim and Anna Noonan, Mead & White Electric
Mead & White Electric has been an extraordinary partner to Berrien RESA and many school districts throughout our region. Whether responding to day-to-day service needs or tackling complex construction projects, Mead & White consistently goes above and beyond to ensure our schools are safe, functional, and ready to serve students and staff. Their crews are professional, responsive, and always willing to adjust their schedules to meet the needs of our schools. They are problem-solvers, collaborators, and trusted advisors. Beyond their technical expertise, what sets Mead & White apart is their commitment to doing the right thing for kids and schools.
- Johnny Ford and Drew Montgomery, Warren Dunes State Park
Johnny and Drew have been invaluable partners to Berrien RESA students through the Department of Natural Resources summer work program. Over the years, Johnny and Drew have provided nearly 60 students with disabilities the opportunity to develop employability skills through paid work experience in the state park. The program provides students with rich, hands-on experiences that are often life-changing for participants. As role models, Johnny and Drew lead with integrity, enthusiasm, and encouragement for students to pursue their dreams with confidence.
- Beth Aurand, Riverwood Center
As a longstanding member of the Whole Child Collaborative, Beth has consistently provided valuable insights and support to educators and community organizations, helping them navigate the best ways to serve both students and staff. This year, Beth’s leadership and collaboration have been especially impactful through her work with Berrien RESA, Corewell Health, and the mental health subcommittee of Superintendents. Beth’s dedication to building effective communication pathways across sectors has significantly strengthened our collective ability to support student well-being and family engagement.
- Christian Haack, Kelly Stelter and Noah Cardew, Michigan State University Extension
These outstanding MSU Extension staff members have enthusiastically supported Berrien RESA Early Childhood Education and Great Start Collaborative Family Coalition programs. They have collaborated with us to host children’s nutrition programs, teaching about various seasonal fruits and vegetables through a hands-on applesauce-making workshop, as well as leading a course called “Healthy Foods, Healthy Families” at Berrien RESA. They continually seek ways to partner with us to bring important resources for health and well-being to the families of Berrien County.
- Dave Beach, Registered Nurse
Dave is a registered nurse who assists one of our BLC students with significant medical challenges. He has been one of the most consistent, dedicated, and passionate nurses with whom BLC has had the privilege of working. He asks questions and offers excellent information and suggestions to school ancillary and support staff. Willing to try new things, Dave approaches each school activity with enthusiasm and a sense of fun. He is a gracious soul with whom this student thrives, and he continues to enrich the student’s life and learning experiences. Often an unsung hero, his protective concern and tender care for the student are matched only by his laid-back humor and his generosity in lending his strengths to the child in every way.
- Julie and Pat Weckel, Ben’s Soft Pretzels
Pat and Julie offer a welcoming environment for many of our students’ community-based work experiences and outings. Students are able to perform tasks such as food preparation and dishwashing and, in return, receive a free meal and drink for their service. When our students go for an outing, the staff supports and assists them with ordering and paying for their meals. The students have even participated in a pretzel-making class with Julie! The staff is always helpful and engaging with the students, fostering learning and independence.
In 2009, the district established the Partnership in Education Awards to recognize the unsung efforts of community members who made a tremendous impact in our classrooms. The entities and individuals being recognized are nominated by Berrien RESA staff and scored against a rubric that measures their longstanding commitment to supporting education. The recipients are not only honored in front of all of Berrien RESA’s employees during their annual Closing Day celebration, their name is also engraved on a sculpture housed at the Administrative Center, affectionately called the “Partnership Tree”.
“The Partnership Tree was designed and crafted by Career & Technical Education students attending arts and welding classes at Coloma High School many years ago,” said Hoppstock. “Each year, as partners are recognized, we add an engraved leaf to the tree. Now, any time there are visitors in our buildings, they see the tree and can read the names of all of the supportive people and entities who have made significant contributions to education. The tree symbolizes the connection between the classroom and our community and the hundreds of opportunities that grow out of that partnership.
