Ottawa Area Center

08/21/2026

08/20/2026

🦓✨ Zebra Print for Rare Disease Awareness! ✨🦓

Yesterday, we went WILD for a very special cause! Our students and staff rocked their zebra print to celebrate Rare Disease Awareness and recognize the incredible students and families in our school community whose lives are touched by rare diseases. 🖤🤍

Why the zebra? 🦓 In medicine, there’s a familiar saying: “When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras.” It reminds medical professionals to consider common conditions first, but sometimes, the diagnosis really IS a zebra! That’s why the zebra and zebra-print ribbon have become powerful symbols of rare disease awareness.

For students in special education programs, especially those with medically complex needs or rare conditions, activities like this give us an opportunity to build empathy, understanding, inclusion, and acceptance while celebrating what makes every student wonderfully unique. ❤️

Check out all that zebra print! We loved coming together to celebrate and support our amazing students. 🦓🖤🤍

Different is beautiful. Rare is remarkable. And every student deserves to be celebrated! 🌟

Ottawa Area ISD

08/20/2026

In the coming weeks, we will be highlighting the new teachers and staff at OAC for the 26-27 school year!

08/19/2026

08/12/2026

🎉 Celebrating 46 Incredible Years!! Happy Retirement, Tom Dryer! 🎉

Last week, we had the honor of celebrating Tom Dryer as he retired after an incredible 46 years at OAC!

Tom’s dedication to OAC and our students is hard to put into words. His attendance was legendary, so legendary that HR once questioned whether he was ever sick! 😄 But showing up was only one small part of the commitment Tom brought to OAC every single day.

Throughout his career, Tom was a driving force behind programs and opportunities that have made a lasting difference for countless students, including our Adaptive PE program, adaptive pool program, AMBUCS trikes for students, and Renew Therapeutic Riding. His passion for creating opportunities for every student to participate, grow, and experience something special has left a legacy that will continue for years to come.

On Thursday, staff lined the halls to clap Tom out on his final day, a fitting send-off for someone who has given so much to OAC over the past four and a half decades. ❤️

Tom is truly one of the last of the OAC “dinosaurs,” and his knowledge, stories, dedication, humor, and presence will be deeply missed.

Thank you, Tom, for 46 remarkable years of service and for the difference you have made in the lives of so many students, families, and colleagues.

Enjoy retirement, Tom, you have certainly earned it! 👏🎉
Ottawa Area ISD

07/16/2026

🦉 Congratulations to our May/June Golden Owl Award Winner: Jan Hulett! 🦉

Some people simply make every day brighter... and that's exactly who Jan is! ☀️

Jan was nominated by her coworkers for her incredible work ethic, unwavering positivity, and willingness to help wherever she's needed. Whether she's supporting students, lending a hand to teammates, tackling projects around the building, or encouraging those around her, Jan leads with kindness, compassion, and a smile.

Her coworkers shared that she:
💙 Always puts students first.
💙 Goes above and beyond to support others.
💙 Brings positivity and laughter, even on the toughest days.
💙 Makes Ottawa Area Center a better place simply by being herself.

One nomination said it best:
"Jan is like bright, pure sunshine wherever she goes!" ☀️

It's no surprise that the summer symbols chosen to represent Jan were ☀️ Sunshine and 🦋 Butterfly; she brings light, hope, and joy to our entire OAC family.

Congratulations, Jan, and thank you for everything you do for our students, staff, and school! We are so grateful to have you as part of the Ottawa Area Center family. 💙💛

07/10/2026

📚✨ The countdown is over… Monday is almost here!

We can’t wait to welcome our incredible students back to the Ottawa Area Center for another year filled with learning, laughter, growth, and unforgettable moments. Every smile, every milestone, and every success, big or small is worth celebrating.

07/10/2026

Check out our openings- and help us fill those last few positions as we start the 26-27 school year!!

New Open Positions!

HVAC Paraprofessional (CTC)
Graphic Design B Paraprofessional (CTC)
Plumbing and Water Systems Paraprofessional (CTC)
Early Childhood PreK Instructional Coach (EC)
Data Infrastructure Engineer (ICO)
Aide – Georgetown (YAS)
1:1 Behavior Assistant – Grand Haven (YAS)

https://www.oaisd.org/employment/

06/26/2026

Celebrating 31 Years of Compassion, Dedication, and Heart ❤️

This week, we say goodbye to someone who has truly left a lasting legacy at the Ottawa Area Center.

Nancy Boersen began her journey at OAC in January 1994, and for more than 31 years, she has cared for our students, supported our staff, taught countless CPR classes, and been a steady, compassionate presence for everyone around her.

When asked to describe Nancy, the words came pouring in: kind, caring, dependable, compassionate, knowledgeable, supportive, thoughtful, experienced, loyal, dedicated, irreplaceable… and simply “the best.” ❤️

While her retirement marks the end of an incredible career, the impact she has made on our students, families, and colleagues will be felt for years to come. She has touched countless lives and helped make OAC a better place.

Nancy, thank you for your unwavering commitment, your generous heart, and the difference you’ve made every single day. We wish you nothing but happiness in this next chapter.

Congratulations on your retirement, you will always be part of the OAC family, and you will be deeply missed. 💙 Ottawa Area ISD