May 6, 2025

Smith and Driscol Receive Teachers Live Here Grants

Smith and Driscol

HPS is proud to award two more Teachers Live Here grants to Holland educators:

  • Isabella Smith (Kindergarten at Jefferson)
  • Alec Driscol (Holland Middle School)

Along with $26,500 in down payment assistance, they could also get $2,500 to assist with closing costs if they purchase a home within the school district boundaries.  

Here are comments from the grant recipients application essays:

Every Monday in our classroom share circle, my students love to share a “good thing” about their weekend. It is special for me to connect with them by knowing the places they visit with their families. They get so surprised when I mention a place or activity that they enjoy too. To best connect and establish a relationship with my students, I believe they should not see me as any different stature than their families. For them to hear known places and landmarks from my “good thing,” it helps build that bridge of a shared community that we teach and hope for in our classroom community. As a classroom teacher, I need to live what I teach. I believe that planting my base in Holland will help my students learn to embrace where they live and celebrate with multicultural Holland.  -Isabella Smith

I am young (twenty-six) and in the process of looking for a more permanent home in Holland. Moving to Holland this past summer (I currently rent an apartment) has allowed me to be present in the community through coaching, volunteering, being at community events, etc. I have realized the importance of living in the community where I teach (I lived in Grand Rapids my first two years). It makes a difference when your students can see you at the grocery store or just taking a walk in the neighborhood.  -Alec Driscol

Since the program started in January 2023, 19 HPS educators have received a teachers Live Here grant thanks to an anonymous donation from a family in the City of Holland and the support of the Holland Educational Foundation.  There are 6 grants remaining in the 2024-25 cycle which closes on June 30.  When the 2025-26 cycle opens on July 1, there will be 10 grants available.

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