🎉👏 We are thrilled to celebrate Instructional Coach Renee Lewicki, one of the recipients of the 2025 Phyllis Ziebell Kesseler Outstanding Educator Award!
Renee was nominated by Leah Allen, with heartfelt support from several colleagues who shared the many ways she goes above and beyond for students and staff. Her dedication, leadership, and passion for learning continue to make a lasting impact across our schools.
She joins Carrie Wilkinson and Jordan Kulhanek, the other two 2025 recipients of this prestigious award.
Please join us in congratulating Renee on this well-deserved honor! 🌟🍎 #OutstandingEducator #ExcellenceInEducation
7 days ago, Grayling Elementary School Principal
BIG thanks to a special local family who donated this 3-D printed dinosaur skeleton to us. We can't wait to see our students' reactions!
8 days ago, Grayling Elementary School Principal
Congratulations to this week's Viking Victors! Keep showing those Viking Values-being safe, respectful, and responsible.
14 days ago, Grayling Elementary School Principal
Mrs. Mack is enjoying a good book on the airplane returning from a relaxing anniversary trip to the Dominican Republic!
14 days ago, Grayling Elementary School Principal
Ms. Walsh took her summer reading on the train from Bury St. Edmonds to London. Safe travels and happy reading, Mrs. Walsh!
15 days ago, Grayling Elementary School Principal
Congratulations to this week's Viking Victors!
21 days ago, Grayling Elementary School Principal
Message for Traditional Year (TY) Families:
Due to construction, our TY Open House is scheduled for Monday, August 25, 4-5:30. We can't wait to see our elementary Vikings! Our first day of school for TY is Tuesday, August 26.
22 days ago, Grayling Elementary School Principal
Welcome our early childhood special education teacher Ms. Caitlin!
23 days ago, Grayling Elementary School Principal
Meet Ms. Knilans, our music teacher!
24 days ago, Grayling Elementary School Principal
Mrs. Kildee did some reading on a weekend trip to Petoskey! We hope you are getting lots of reading done this summer too!
25 days ago, Grayling Elementary School Principal
Hi, my name is Christa Keys and I am so excited to be joining Grayling Elementary as an ELY 2nd Grade Teacher! Teaching has always been something that has been a desire of mine and I’m so excited and thankful to start my journey here in this community.
I graduated from Ferris State University in 2020 and found myself working with children with an ASD diagnosis for the past 5 years, and have since fallen into the teaching world. I started at GES in April this year, then began accruing credits for my teaching certificate. I’ve had the pleasure of making so many connections within GES and cannot wait to continue making connections and growing as an educator.
When not in front of the classroom, you can find me chasing sunsets, reading, kayaking, hiking, being the best aunt I can be, or simply anything outdoors. Northern Michigan has so much to offer, and I love soaking in every moment of it!
I am beyond motivated and excited to start this school year off and absorb all the joy that comes with it. Here’s to a great 25-26 school year at Grayling Elementary School!
-Miss Keys, 2nd Grade
26 days ago, Grayling Elementary School Principal
Hello! My name is Hannah (Smock) Heavner, and I am so excited to join Grayling Elementary School’s team as your new STEM teacher! I love inspiring curiosity and creativity in young minds, and I can’t wait to see what this new chapter offers.
I graduated from Central Michigan University with a degree in Education, specializing in Integrated Science—Fire Up Chips! For the past few years, I’ve had the pleasure of teaching Science and English at Grayling Middle School. My time there was filled with wonderful memories and connections—I will always hold GMS close to my heart.
Teaching in our community is especially meaningful to me because I grew up in Grayling and attended Crawford AuSable Schools myself. It feels incredibly rewarding to teach in the same community that helped shape me into the person I am today.
Outside the classroom, I love being outdoors, hiking trails, exploring new places, and spending time with my family and friends.
I’m thrilled to bring my passion for science and exploration to our Grayling Elementary School students. Here’s to a fantastic year of discovery, creativity, and fun!
29 days ago, Grayling Elementary School Principal
We can't wait to see our ELY students!
about 1 month ago, Grayling Elementary School Principal
Mrs. Kososky took her reading adventures camping this summer! Keep those summer reading pics coming!
about 2 months ago, Grayling Elementary School Principal
Mrs. Gurzynski is enjoying a book in the coolness of her camper during the hottest part of the day in Ohio!
2 months ago, Grayling Elementary School Principal
Mrs. Cobb (4th grade) took a break from summer chores to read on the front porch.
2 months ago, Grayling Elementary School Principal
Mrs. Galvani is doing her summer reading with some comfy couch cushions!
2 months ago, Grayling Elementary School Principal
Mrs. Bandstra and her students celebrated their end-of-year successes by planting baby spider plants they have been watching grow all year long!
2 months ago, Grayling Elementary School Principal
We have another summer reader! Ms. Baerlocher is doing a little hammock reading at Higgins Lake!
2 months ago, Grayling Elementary School Principal
Grayling Elementary School has challenged our staff to show off their summer reading adventures. Our first summer reader is Mrs. Moffit, reading in the sunshine in Kotor, Montenegro on the Adriatic Sea!
2 months ago, Grayling Elementary School Principal
