Community School Coordinators & Administrative Staff

Shereen Allen is the Community School Coordinator at Hamilton Early Childhood Center in Kentwood Public Schools. Shereen has a Bachelor's Degree in Family Life Education, and has worked in schools with grades pre-K through middle school. 

Laura Arreguin is the Community School Coordinator at Burton Elementary in Grand Rapids Public Schools. Laura has experience working in the non-profit sector at the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, and has also worked for Kent ISD and Grand Rapids Public Schools. Laura enjoys using her bilingual skills and background to advocate for parents who have a language barrier, empowering them to be involved in their children's education and helping students succeed.  

Candee Aviles is the Community School Coordinator at Discovery Elementary in Kentwood Public Schools. Candee has an Associate's Degree in General Studies and has vast experience in youth development, and has taught grades Pre-K through 12.  

Morgan Bills is the Community School Coordinator at Union High School in Grand Rapids Public Schools. Morgan has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Grand Valley State University, with a background in Mental Health, Juvenile Justice, and Youth Homelessness. She is passionate about building strong relationships, advocating for youth, and empowering families. Morgan speaks both English and Spanish.  

Cinda Birely is the Community School Coordinator at Appleview Elementary and the KSSN Dstrict Team Lead for Sparta Area Schools. Previously, Cinda worked as a Behavior Interventionist with elementary-aged students, and has experience working in foster care and as an adult mental health case manager.  

Cheyenne Buelterman-Fernandez is the Community School Coordinator at Explorer Elementary in Kentwood Public Schools. She has a B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature, and over 10 years advocating for youth and families. She is also a Returned Peace Corps volunteer (Peru).  

Courtney Burrows is the Community School Coordinator at Townline Elementary in Kentwood Public Schools. Courtney has an M.S.W. and has worked with youth experiencing homelessness, supported schools with social-emotional learning, and taught ESL in Korea.  

Stacey Carson is the Community School Coordinator at Bowen Elementary in Kentwood Public Schools. She has a Bachelor's Degree in English Teaching and has extensive experience teaching all ages, from preschool to adult education, both in the United States and in Ecuador.  

Vanessa Cervantes is the Community School Coordinator at Buchanan Elementary in Grand Rapids Public Schools. She is bilingual in Spanish and is a proud GRPS alumnus. Vanessa has experience working in the non-profit sector at Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities, and is passionate about building relationships, working with youth and families, and planning community events.

Sarah Cline is the Community School Coordinator at Sparta Middle School in Sparta Area Schools. Sarah has a BSW from Grand Valley, and has previously worked as a residential crisis counselor providing direct care. 

Christy Collins is the Community School Coordinator at Dickinson Academy in Grand Rapids Public Schools. Christy has a Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership and 15 years of case management experience in child welfare. 

Emma Colon is the Community School Coordinator at Brookwood Elementary in Kentwood Public Schools. Emma has worked with children and families in schools, foster care, and behavioral therapy, and has a passion for empowering and advocating for families.  

Jocelyn Coria is the Community School Coordinator at Lee High School and East Lee Campus in Godfrey-Lee Public Schools. Jocelyn has a B.S. in Psychology, experience in mental health advocacy and therapy, and has a passion for social justice. 

Cheryl Costello, PHR, is the Human Resource Specialist for KSSN. Cheryl holds a Professional in Human Resources Certification, along with a Bachelor's Degree in Human Resource Management from the Michigan State University Eli Broad College of Business. 

Gabi Coty is the Community School Coordinator at Endeavor Elementary in the Kentwood Public Schools district. Gabi has a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education and has taught PreK-5th grade. She has also coached for all age levels.  

Teresa Cruz-Vega is the Community School Coordinator at Southwest Elementary School – Academia Bilingüe in Grand Rapids Public Schools.  

Joselin Daza is the Community School Coordinator at César E. Chávez Elementary in Grand Rapids Public Schools. Joselin has experience working with schools and different community organizations, and has a passion for supporting youth and helping them achieve their goals. She is especially excited to work at Chávez, which is located in the neighborhood where she was raised! 

Melissa Dean is the Community School Coordinator at Crestwood Middle School in Kentwood Public Schools. Melissa has a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature and Spanish, and a Master's in Applied Linguistics. 

Carolina Diaz is the Community School Coordinator at North Godwin Elementary in Godwin Heights Public Schools. Carolina has a Bachelor's in Spanish and Communications, and has worked in special education and Spanish immersion, and has also worked as an event planner.  

Lynnae Edmond is the Community School Coordinator at Gerald R. Ford Academic Center in Grand Rapids Public Schools. Lynnae has worked for Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative as a preschool teacher, and now loves being part of the Gerald R. Ford community!  

Caroline Geist is a KSSN Team Lead and was previously a Community School Coordinator in Grand Rapids Public Schools. Caroline has a Master's in Social Work and has extensive experience with the community school model, having served five years as the Exevcutive Director of Ottawa Community Schools Network. 

Damion Gregory is the Community School Coordinator at Westwood Middle in Grand Rapids Public Schools. Damion  is a proud Union High School graduate and student athlete. At the University of Olivet, he obtained his Bachelor's in Sports Recreation Management and lettered in football. He is part of Alpha Phi Kappa and served on the Black Student Union. Damion has worked with children and youth since 2005. 

Kelsey Gruber is the Community School Coordinator at Godwin Heights High School in Godwin Heights Public Schools. Kelsey has experience in non-profit and community development, and speaks both English and Spanish to empower and advocate for communities.  

Lynne Jones is the Community School Coordinator at Ridgeview Elementary in Sparta Area Schools. Lynne has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Central Michigan University, with a background in mental health, behavioral health, substance abuse, and elementary education. Lynne is passionate about helping families gain a sense of empowerment and equality.

Robin Jordan is the Community School Coordinator at Valleywood Middle in Kentwood Public Schools. Robin has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, and worked for five years at Gerald R. Ford Job Corps as Records Supervisor/Career Team Manager.  

Dr. Keenan King is the KSSN Executive Director and has previously been Director of System Building for KConnect and the Director of Upward Bound at Western Michigan University. Dr. King brings strong educational leadership skills and a fierce commitment to equity and inclusion.  

Shay Kraley is the Operations Manager for KSSN. Shay has been a teacher at the middle and high school levels, and has extensive experience in the nonprofit sector working with English Language Learners and partnerships with Head Start for Kent County and multiple school districts. 

Earnestine Mays is the Community School Coordinator at Campus Elementary in Grand Rapids Public Schools. Earnestine has worked in domestic violence, adoption, and mental health, and has been a crisis counselor, case manager, and Child and Family Therapist.  

Kristen Moss is a KSSN Team Lead and was previously a Community School Coordinator in Kentwood Public Schools. Kristen has a passion for youth development, diversity issues, and family and community engagement.  

Ashley Phillips is the Community School Coordinator at East Elementary in Grandville Public Schools. Ashley has an M.A. in Family and Consumer Sciences and is a Certified Family Life Educator. She has experience working with preschool and elementary families, and has a passion for helping to ensure they need to be successful and to break down whatever barriers they may face.  

Kim Poplaski is the Community School Coordinator at Alpine Elementary in Kenowa Hills Public Schools. Kim has previous experience in child welfare and was previously a behavior interventionist for Kenowa Hills Public Schools. Kim's passion lies in empowering youth through support and advocacy for the family as a whole. 

Julia Raap is the Community School Coordinator at East Kentwood High School in Kentwood Public Schools. Julia has previously worked in violence prevention and youth empowerment, and is passionate about intergenerational leadership and social justice. 

Marissa Ramsundar is the Community School Coordinator at Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center in Godfrey-Lee Public Schools. Marissa has a Bachelor's Degree in Music Ministry and is obtaining a Master's in Education. She loves working with kids and families.  

Cindy Redding is the Community School Coordinator for Coit Creative Arts Academy in Grand Rapids Public Schools. Cindy has extensive experience in fundraising and nonprofit work, and is passionate about teaching the whole child and lifting community voices.  

Maddie Rhoades is the Community School Coordinator at Glenwood Elementary in Kentwood Public Schools.
Maddie has a Bachelor's of Public & Non-Profit Administration, and has worked with domestic violence and substance abuse organizations.  

Marissa Roberts is the KSSN Administrative Assistant. Marissa has an Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts from Grand Rapids Community College, and has previous experience as a school secretary, volunteer grant writer, and academic tutor. She loves organizing, efficiency, problem solving, and streamlining processes, and is passionate about educational equity, literacy, mental health issues, and the environment.

José Rodriguez is the Community School Coordinator at Godwin Heights Middle School in Godwin Heights Public Schools. José has a Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and has worked as a Youth Advocate Specialist. He is a community advocate who is passionate about intersectional justice. 

Sarah Schantz is the Community School Coordinator at West Godwin Elementary and the KSSN District Team Lead for Godwin Heights Public Schools. Sarah has worked in various social work and educational capacities, including after-school programming and teaching ESL.  

Sara Scott is the Community School Coordinator at Sibley Elementary in Grand Rapids Public Schools. In addition to serving in the Cherry Health AmeriCorps program, Sara has brought Total Trek Quest, a successful after-school program, to Kent County.  

Hayley Strickland is the Community School Coordinator at Challenger Elementary in Kentwood Public Schools. Hayley graduated from Cornerstone University in 2019 and completed a yearlong fellowship in Urban Ministry after obtaining her degree. Hayley has a passion for community development and serving youth and families, and also works as a cheerleading coach for Comstock Park High School.

Adam Swenson is the Community School Coordinator at Southwood Elementary in Kentwood Public Schools. Adam attended Shippensburg University has a Master's in Urban Education. Adam has been a camp director and teacher at Lighthouse Academy.  

Adonis Thomas is the Community School Coordinator at Stocking Elementary in Grand Rapids Public Schools. Originally from Costa Rica, Adonis grew up in Ann Arbor and studied psychology at Northpoint College. He has a passion for travel, community, and building relationships.

DaJuan Thomas is the Community School Coordinator at Alger Middle in the Grand Rapids Public Schools district. A graduate of Concordia University, DaJuan is passionate about helping youth and families, and also serves as the varsity football coach for Godwin Heights. 

Jackee Thompson is the Community School Coordinator at Lee Middle School in Godfrey-Lee Public Schools. Jackee has a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice and has worked with the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan and as a Crisis Interventionist with the 17th Circuit Family Court. C 

Kevin VanderMeer is the Community School Coordinator at Sparta High School in the Sparta Area Schools district. Kevin has a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, and has worked with at-risk youth and families as a residential crisis counselor.  

Brianna Vasquez de Pereira is the Community School Coordinator at Meadowlawn Elementary School and one of two KSSN District Team Leads for Kentwood Public Schools. Prior to joining KSSN in 2012, Brianna was a middle and high school teacher in the US and Guatemala.  

Farris Withers is the Community School Coordinator at East Kentwood Freshman Campus and one of two KSSN District Team Leads for Kentwood Public Schools. Farris has a Master's Degree in Family Consumer Science and has extensive experience as an educator throughout her career.  

Amanda Witte is a KSSN Team Lead and was previously a Community School Coordinator for Cedar Springs Public Schools. Amanda has a Master's of Social Work from Grand Valley State University and over 6 years' experience in child welfare as a foster home licensing specialist.