Harper Creek Community Schools is proud to announce the first recipients of the Merry Ellen Eason Educators Fund grant, awarded through the Harper Creek Educational Foundation, an affiliate of the Battle Creek Community Foundation. This fund was established in honor of Merry Ellen Eason, a dedicated teacher and the first Technology Director for Harper Creek Community Schools, who was named Michigan's Outstanding Technology Director in 2007.
This year’s grant recipients are Jody Ledbetter, Multi-Tiered Support Systems specialist at Beadle Lake Elementary, and Jennifer Borders, Special Education teacher at Harper Creek Middle School. Mrs. Ledbetter will be attending the Innovative School Summit, while Mrs. Borders will attend the Michigan Council for Exceptional Children conference.
Harper Creek Community Schools is deeply grateful to the loved ones of Merry Ellen Eason, particularly her partner Jim Keeler, for their generous contributions that make this grant possible. These funds not only honor Merry Ellen’s legacy but also allow our staff to bring new and innovative ideas to the classroom, enriching the educational experience for both students and colleagues.
Harper Creek Middle School STEAM Teacher Grant Recipient May 20, 2025
Seventh-grade students at Harper Creek Middle School are getting hands-on engineering experience thanks to a mini-grant awarded to STEAM teacher Erica Jenkins.
Harper's Heroes - Jim Robinson May 14, 2025
Jim spent much of his childhood as a Harper Creek Beaver. After graduating from high school, he left Battle Creek for a few years. When he returned, he began a career in the trades but also devoted some of his time to the Harper Creek Community. He eventually joined Harper Creek as a full-time employee. He has a unique combination of skills that have allowed him to contribute his time and efforts to our school district in the last twenty-plus years.
Harper's Unsung Hero - Becky Gardner April 24, 2025
As a child and a student, Becky was involved in many activities, making her a well-rounded child and helping her to hone many skills that would help her as an adult and a teacher for Harper Creek Schools. She seemed to thrive with this model. It has served her well with the variety of roles she has filled during her time at Harper Creek, starting in 2001.
