A panel discussion featuring local educators will explore “Responding to the Teaching Shortage” on Thursday, Oct. 27, at 6 p.m. at Hope College in Winants Auditorium of Graves Hall.

The public is invited.  Admission is free.

The event is being co-sponsored by the college’s Department of Education and the Hope Academy of Senior Professionals (HASP).  Participants will include:

  • Dr. Brian Davis, who retired in 2021 after 13 years as superintendent of Holland Public Schools and a total of 21 years with the district, who will present on the initiatives of Michigan’s Department of Education and state legislature;
  • Dr. Sara Hoeve, director of student teaching and teacher certification at Hope, who will present on the Hope department’s current and future efforts to recruit, train and retain teachers in the field;
  • Ryan Eder, a 2022 Hope graduate who teaches English at Fennville Middle School, who will share perspective as a recent college graduate and in-service teacher; and
  • Hope senior Madelynn Edgerly, who is currently student teaching at Bauer Elementary and will present on her journey to teaching.

The session will be moderated by Claudia Berry, who is board president of HASP.

Audience members who need assistance to fully enjoy any event at Hope are encouraged to contact the college’s Events and Conferences Office by emailing events@hope.edu or calling 616-395-7222 on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Updates related to events are posted when available in the individual listings at hope.edu/calendar

Graves Hall is located at 263 College Ave., between 10th and 12th streets.