Congratulations to Alexander Decker, Jennifer Fry, and Melinda Forrest on their respective graduations from Western Michigan University. These graduates received funding for coursework through the Michigan Department of Education’s Future Proud Michigan Educator Grow Your Own (GYO) Staff Grant awarded to Harper Creek Community Schools.
Alexander Decker received his Master’s degree in Elementary Education and teaches 5th-grade English Language Arts at Harper Creek Middle School.
Jennifer Fry is teaching 2nd grade at Beadle Lake Elementary and received her Master’s degree in Elementary Education.
Melinda Forrest earned her Master’s degree in Special Education, concentrating on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Mrs. Forrest teaches in the ASD classroom at Beadle Lake Elementary.
On Monday, December 9, 2024, the three graduates spoke at the Board of Education (BoE) meeting, sharing how the GYO grant impacted their education and expressing gratitude to those who supported them along the way. The BoE then presented each of them with letters of congratulations.
HCCS received a $3.6 million grant to support HCCS staff in obtaining teaching certificates or adding endorsements at no cost to the grant recipients. Since the program’s launch in the fall of 2023, 30 HCCS staff members are now actively pursuing degrees. Ten current teachers are pursuing master’s degrees and adding endorsements in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), learning disabilities, counseling, and English as a second language. Two substitute teachers are earning master’s degrees in Elementary Education and obtaining teaching certificates. Additionally, 18 staff members, including paraprofessionals, substitute teachers, and a secretary, are working toward bachelor's degrees in Elementary Education and obtaining their teaching certifications.
HCCS recognizes the value of lifelong learning. Each of these graduates has demonstrated a commitment to being part of a school district that prides itself on offering high-quality education to all students. We thank them for the time and effort they put into obtaining their degrees while working full-time, tending to their families, and being active participants in the Harper Creek community. Congratulations and thank you for your dedication and perseverance.
Harper's Unsung Heroes - Stefanie Howard December 17, 2025
Stefanie attended Harper Creek Schools starting in 1st Grade, all the way through high school graduation. She developed a love for school as a young student at Beadle Lake Elementary. Upon graduation, she started at MSU with hopes of earning a marketing degree, but this didn’t last long. She quickly switched her focus to education. Her teaching career began in Houston, but she would eventually return home.
Harper's Unsung Hero - Matt Bilger December 3, 2025
Matt grew up in the Bilger family, the second of four children. He was different than his siblings, the first in his family to participate in athletics. Through these differences, Matt has been able to find his own niche as a teacher and a coach. He has developed a passion for his career, making an impact on current and former Harper Creek students.
Harper's Unsung Hero - Karen Westlake October 30, 2025
Karen spent her career seeing the world working in the airline industry. The experiences as an airline attendant provided a lifetime of memories. Looking for an opportunity to get out of the house each day, a few decades after retiring, Karen joined the Harper Creek family a year ago as a lunch and recess aide.
