“GRPS Champions” is a web series published every Monday celebrating the incredible work of GRPS team members.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) -- For Brittany Speck, a first-grade teacher at Palmer Elementary, the passion for teaching goes beyond the classroom—it’s the small, everyday moments that make her work so fulfilling.
“I love a lot of different parts of my job,” says Speck, who has always known teaching was her life’s calling. “It’s the little things that make me the happiest. I love when a student learns something new, and the look of accomplishment on their face. I love the goofy smiles they give me when we’re being silly, the random hugs, and the pictures they draw me.”
One of her favorite times of the school year is January, which she calls the "lightbulb month." It’s a transformative time when the hard work of teaching really pays off.
"In January, all of the little things we’ve been teaching the students start to come together, and they begin to ‘get it.’ They start reading with more fluency and understanding math concepts. It’s one of my favorite times of the year.”
When asked why she chose to work at GRPS, Speck was clear: “I wanted to work with the Grand Rapids community. I wanted to be the reason someone loved school.”
Her desire to make a difference in the lives of young learners led her to GRPS, where she can also use her Spanish skills to connect with the refugee population—an important part of her teaching experience.
“I get to do exactly what I wanted to do at Palmer,” she said. “I wanted to help little ones love school, and that’s what I’m doing.”
For Speck, first grade represents a critical time in a child’s educational journey. “In first grade, you begin to learn it all—reading, math, and how the world works,” she explained. “I want to be the reason children love school and want to do well.”
Her ultimate goal is to lay a strong foundation for her students, setting them up for success in the years to come.
“Helping students get a great foundation is one of the most important responsibilities I have,” she said. “I want them to succeed all throughout their schooling, and it starts here.”
Speck’s passion for education and dedication to her scholars exemplifies the heart of GRPS, where teachers not only instruct but inspire their students to reach their full potential.
