Board Members
Allen E. Johnston was recently re-elected to serve as President of the Godwin Heights School Board. He retired after serving in the district for over 30 years before joining the board. Mr. Johnston feels his work with the board is important because he can serve as a voice for the community while continuing to be involved in the lives of students. "The most important role of a board member," he said, "is to set good policy that will enhance learning as well as make sure that the district's money is spent on things that will ultimately affect our students and the educational process in a positive way."
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Lee Ann Platschorre was elected in 1991 to serve on the Godwin Heights Board of Education. She currently serves as the Vice President and has held the positions of Secretary and President in the past. Prior to her involvement with the board, Lee Ann was very active in the Godwin Heights School community. She, her husband Dan, and three children are all Godwin alumni. Throughout the years she has served on several committees in the district and in the community. She is presently a member of the Friends of the Wyoming Public Library organization, and the Wyoming Youth Violence Initiative. Lee Ann takes her board membership very seriously. "I understand the trust the community has put in me to make the right decision(s) to ensure that their child(ren) have every advantage when seeking out their career paths. It is our responsibility," she continued, "to help them realize their potential & to achieve it."
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A Godwin Heights alumnus from the class of 2010, Ms. Sommer Jabbar, is excited about her new position on the Godwin Heights Board of Education. She believes that serving on the Board will be rewarding in many ways, not only to gain valuable experience in education, but also in the fact that she will be able to advocate in the best interests of students, staff, and community. Jabbar holds a Master of Education in Early Childhood Education and Teaching from Western Michigan University. She currently works as the Project Coordinator for the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at the Kent Intermediate School District. Ms. Jabbar feels that this position keeps her rooted in the community. Her job, combined with this new role on the Board, gives her a unique opportunity to impact the lives of many students. She states that she will do her best every day to ensure that the well-being of students is at the forefront of her efforts. In her spare time, Sommer Jabbar enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her devoted dog, Rocky.
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Kenneth Hornecker was elected to the Board of Education in May of 2010. He is married to Karen who is a teacher with the Head Start program. They have three children who have attended Godwin schools. Their son graduated in 2006 and one daughter graduated in 2010. Ken has worked as an accountant at Care Source for 15 years and also was an accountant at Faith Reformed Church. He is very active in the community serving as a member of the Godwin Heights/Godfrey Lee Accreditation Advisory Committee, a member of the Michigan Black Caucus, and also works as an English language tutor for a gentleman from Burma. "I believe that if I am going to complain about something, that I should also bring a solution to the table." He also believes that "the biggest asset a Board member has is an open mind; listening to all arguments for and against a proposal before making a decision."
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David Drake was elected to the Board of Education in August of 2013. As a lifelong resident of Godwin Heights, David and his wife Libbie have four children that attend Godwin Heights schools. David is very active in the community as the Pastor of CrossWinds Church. He has served on the Board of Executive Directors for the Michigan Baptist General Conference. David has also volunteered at every level of education in the Godwin District as well as coaching football. David is very committed to the Godwin Heights community and believes that greatness is available and possible for all of our students.
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A Godwin Heights alumnus, Mrs. Kathryn Crow DeYoung, now retired, worked as a social worker for 30 years at Kent County’s Department of Health and Human Services. She previously served on the Godwin Heights Public Schools Board of Education for seventeen years. After stepping down from her position she realized how much she missed it and wanted to come back! She takes great pride in helping to ensure that the students in our community receive cutting-edge instruction and access to technology. Social and emotional growth is important to Crow DeYoung, and she wants to see the very best afforded to the young scholars in our Godwin Heights district. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteer work and traveling with her husband, David DeYoung.
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Adam Burley is a 2004 graduate of Milford High school. He grew up in the small town of Milford located on the east side of Michigan before deciding to move to Grand Rapids in 2008. Adam fell in love with Grand Rapids after his first visit and knew this was the place he wanted to start a family. Adam has two children. His oldest began kindergarten at West Godwin Elementary in 2021 and his youngest will start Kindergarten in 2025. Having young children who are at the beginning of their public education, Adam feels he can help make a difference and further the educational needs of not just his children but all children in the community. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children and also has a love for letterpress and the printing arts.
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