Western School District

08/26/2026

Due to an accident on Dearing Rd., all elementary afternoon bus runs will be delayed. Thank you for your patience!

08/26/2026

08/22/2026

🎤 NOW ENTERING PANTHER COUNTRY…

Returning to her Western roots and joining the eighth-grade ELA team at Western Middle School—Jocie Berry! 🐾

Position: Eighth Grade ELA Teacher
Western Connection: Proud Western alumna
Alma Mater: Siena Heights University
Fan Favorites: Cooking, hiking, tacos, The Greatest Showman, and The Lord of the Rings
Go-To Drink: Diet Coke

Jocie recently graduated from Siena Heights University, where she was also a member of the track team. As a Western graduate, she knows firsthand what makes the district and community special and is excited to return as a teacher.

Outside the classroom, Jocie enjoys spending time with her two dogs and cat—and there’s a good chance she’ll have a Diet Coke nearby!

Panther fans, let’s make some noise and welcome Jocie Berry back home to Western! 💛🤍

08/22/2026

🎤 NOW ENTERING PANTHER COUNTRY…

Fresh from Spring Arbor University and joining the fifth-grade team at Western Elementary—Lauren Staal! 🐾

Position: Fifth Grade Teacher
Alma Mater: Spring Arbor University
Fan Favorites: Walking, tacos, Tangled, and Harry Potter
Go-To Treats: Dark chocolate and iced coffee

Lauren is excited to become part of the Western family and begin creating meaningful learning experiences with her fifth-grade students. Outside the classroom, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, trying new coffee shops, and being outdoors.

Panther fans, let’s make some noise and welcome Lauren Staal to Western! 💛🤍

08/22/2026

🎤 NOW ENTERING PANTHER COUNTRY…

Bringing her enthusiasm for learning and experience working in schools throughout the Grand Rapids and Jackson areas to Western Elementary—Katelyn Smilowski! 🐾

Position: Fourth Grade Teacher
Alma Mater: Grand Valley State University
Fan Favorites: Reading, hiking, nachos, Marley & Me, and Theo of Golden
Go-To Snack: Mamba Fruit Chews
Fun Fact: She’s a triplet!

Katelyn is excited to join the Western family and begin creating wonderful memories with her fourth-grade students. When she isn’t in the classroom, she enjoys hiking, traveling, reading, playing games, and spending time with her family and friends.

Panther fans, let’s make some noise and welcome Katelyn Smilowski to Western! 💛🤍

08/21/2026

🎤 NOW ENTERING PANTHER COUNTRY…

Bringing extensive classroom experience and a passion for helping young learners thrive to the second-grade team at Western Elementary—Megan Przebienda! 🐾

Position: Second Grade Teacher
Experience: Beginning her 14th year of teaching
Alma Mater: Michigan State University
Fan Favorites: Reading, nachos, Up, and The Wild Robot
Go-To Treats: Take 5 and Wild Cherry Pepsi

Megan is excited to begin a new school year at Western and use her experience to help students learn, grow, and build confidence. Outside the classroom, her family means everything to her, and she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters.

Panther fans, let’s make some noise and welcome Megan Przebienda to the Western family! 💛🤍

08/21/2026

🎤 NOW ENTERING PANTHER COUNTRY…

Returning to her Western roots and beginning her second year teaching kindergarten—Lindsay Walicki! 🐾

Position: Kindergarten Teacher
Western Connection: Proud Western graduate
Fan Favorites: Reading, pasta, reality TV, and Have You Filled a Bucket Today?
Go-To Treats: Sour Patch Kids, dark chocolate, and iced coffee

Lindsay is excited to be back home at Western and looks forward to another amazing year helping our youngest Panthers learn, grow, and develop a love for school. When she isn’t in the classroom, you may find her enjoying a good book or grabbing an iced coffee!

Panther fans, let’s make some noise and welcome Lindsay Walicki back home to Western! 💛🤍

08/21/2026

🎤 NOW ENTERING PANTHER COUNTRY…

Bringing a wealth of teaching experience and a familiar face to Western Career Prep—Mark Beougher! 🐾

Position: Science Teacher
Western Connection: Three years coaching Western football
Fan Favorites: Golf, Mexican food, Step Brothers, the Alex Cross series, and Swedish Fish
Fun Fact: Proud Tom Brady superfan

Mark has enjoyed the people and community he has gotten to know through coaching football at Western, and he is excited to continue that connection in the classroom. He looks forward to sharing his experience, building relationships with students, and becoming part of the Western Career Prep team.

Panther fans, let’s make some noise and welcome Mark Beougher to the Western family! 💛🤍

08/21/2026

🎤 NOW ENTERING PANTHER COUNTRY…

Returning to her Western roots—and returning to education as a second-grade teacher at Western Elementary—Kelsey Lindquist! 🐾

Position: Second Grade Teacher
Western Connection: Proud Western graduate
Fan Favorites: Reading, tacos, Beauty and the Beast, and Diet Coke
Hidden Talent: She can say the ABCs backward!

After taking time away from education to raise her family, Kelsey is excited to return to Western—this time as a teacher rather than a student. She looks forward to building relationships with her students and helping them learn, grow, and have a wonderful second-grade year.

Outside the classroom, Kelsey’s favorite thing is spending time with her husband and their two children.

Panther fans, let’s make some noise and welcome Kelsey Lindquist back home to Western! 💛🤍

08/21/2026

🎤 NOW ENTERING PANTHER COUNTRY…

Beginning her teaching career and joining the third-grade team at Western Elementary—Jahayza Choat! 🐾

Position: Third Grade Teacher
Alma Mater: Grand Valley State University
Fan Favorites: Reading, pizza, Spider-Man, and the Magic Tree House series
Go-To Snack: Watermelon Sour Patch Kids

Jahayza recently graduated from Grand Valley State University and is excited to begin her first year in the classroom. She can’t wait to meet her students, become part of the Panther community, and create a classroom where every child can learn, grow, and feel welcome.

Panther fans, let’s make some noise and welcome Jahayza Choat to the Western family! 💛🤍