Mrs. Ryder

Mrs. Ryder has been a teacher since 1991 when she graduated from Indiana University.  She taught in Edwardsburg, Michigan for 14 years teaching Kindergarten-5th, and multiage K-2 & 3-5.  She has also taught a profoundly autistic classroom for two years in Birmingham, Alabama and regular education in Alabama 3rd and 5th grade. She joined the G-A staff nearly six years ago and loves it here.  She also owned and operated a preschool, Alphabet Academy in Birmingham, Alabama.  

She has been married for 27 years and has two wonderful children.  Her husband is part-owner of a heat-control system company called Die Therm. Her daughter will be a senior in college this year and is studying nursing and her son is a junior in college studying business.  She has a cat named Toulouse (she didn't name him... LOL) and a Golden Retriever named Marshall.  She is proud to live in the Galesburg-Augusta area.

Mrs. Palmer

​After graduating from Centreville High School, I attended Western Michigan University and pursued a Bachelor of Science degree with minors in elementary education, science, English, and early childhood.  I completed my internship in first grade with Mrs. Mary Sullivan at Galesburg-Augusta Primary! Following graduation I taught first grade in Saranac, Michigan. After a successful first year, I decided to make a big change and moved to southern California.  While in California, I taught for the Corona-Unified School District.  My experience there includes: second, third, and fifth grade. I earned my Masters of Science degree in educational leadership/administration from California State University, Fullerton.  In 2007, I returned to Kalamazoo, Michigan.  I spent five years teaching middle school language arts for the Battle Creek Area Catholic Schools.

I currently live in Portage, Michigan with my two beautiful children...Hayden and Hannah.  I am thrilled to be teaching at the G-A Primary School!

Mr. VanDyk
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Hello and welcome to another school year. I was first introduced to the Galesburg Augusta Schools during my undergraduate work at Western Michigan University. From that point on I fell in love with the district and was fortunate enough to intern in a 2/3 multiage class. Then six short months after graduating  on, and am now in my 22nd year.  I am married to my lovely wife, Kathy, who also works in our district as a paraprofessional.  I have two wonderful girls, one who is now a junior, and another who is in eighth grade, both of whom keep me on my toes.  
Education
Bachelors of Science from Western Michigan University 1995
K-5 all subjects self-contained classroom
6-8 Science
 Experience
1996-Present Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools
​1996-1997 K-1 multiage
1997-1998 3rd Grade
1998-2007 2-3 multiage
2008-Present 3rd Grade