Shannon Vanderhyde, Trustee

My family moved to West Michigan when I was in 7^th grade.  I graduated from Rockford High School, and continued my education with a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education at Western Michigan University.  After I graduated, I did a lot of substitute teaching in the Cedar Springs area and was impressed with the quality of the faculty and the students.  My husband and I bought our first house here in 2003, and had our first daughter in 2004.  We have 3 children: Alex (1^st grade), Josephine (kindergarten), and Dominic (preschool). 

I am involved in the PTO at Cedar Trails and have friends at many of the different buildings here.  I am still impressed by our wonderful staff and their dedication to helping our students.  I became involved in the Cedar Springs Board of Education because I am sick of just sitting at home complaining.  I think it is important to get involved.  Our schools are drastically underfunded, and I want a say in how the money is spent.  I am ready to make the difficult decisions to keep our students achieving at a high level.