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 18, 2026
HCMS STEAM teacher receives mini-grant to purchase tools to help students bring their innovative creations to life.
Harper's Unsung Hero- Elizabeth Murphy April 27, 2026
Elizabeth chose teaching as her second career, with her first classroom placement being at Valley View Elementary, the school she attended as a child. She eventually joined her children at Wattles Park Elementary. Like her path to becoming a teacher, her path to becoming a parent was also non-traditional.
Beaveriety is Back! April 9, 2026
After several years away, the Beaveriety Talent Show is returning to Harper Creek, inviting everyone in the community to showcase their skills. With open auditions and a spirit of togetherness, the event aims to celebrate wide-ranging talents while supporting performing arts programs. Auditions will be held on Thursday, April 16, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Harper Creek High School auditorium.
Harper's Unsung Hero - Lindsey Cook March 11, 2026
Lindsey has evolved as an educator, taking on various roles, including early childhood teacher, first-grade teacher, fourth-grade teacher, and virtual English teacher for non-English learners. During and after the pandemic, she began to take on several leadership roles, which eventually led to her transition from teacher to administrator
Harper's Unsung Hero - Lesa Kenney February 18, 2026
Lesa’s passion for music as a child led her to pursue a teaching degree. She was inspired by middle school music teachers and knew that she also wanted to be a music teacher. Although she couldn’t become a music teacher, she still completed her degree at WMU to become a teacher.
