As Grand Rapids Public Schools celebrates "Love Our Alumni" month this February, we highlight the remarkable journey of Erin Veldman, a proud 2003 graduate of Central High School who has dedicated her career to serving the very community that shaped her.

Now a resource teacher at Alger Middle School, Veldman’s decision to return to GRPS was deeply rooted in her love for Grand Rapids and the profound sense of community and belonging she developed as a student. "My love for the city of Grand Rapids combined with the sense of community and belonging I developed as a student here," she explains. That connection to her hometown and her alma mater made GRPS the perfect place to continue her professional journey.

Looking back, Veldman cherishes the many opportunities she had to grow as an advocate and leader in her school community. Those formative experiences played a key role in shaping her commitment to education and her passion for empowering students.

One of the most rewarding aspects of her return to GRPS has been the chance to work alongside the very educators who once inspired her. Teachers like Kathy Hodder and Joel Rutherford left a lasting impact on Erin, and now she finds herself collaborating with them as a fellow educator. "It’s such a unique experience to continue to learn and grow as an educator alongside the teachers I looked up to," she says.

Erin Veldman’s story highlights the enduring influence of a strong school community, and the lasting relationships built within its walls. Her journey from student to teacher showcases the power of coming home, giving back, and shaping the next generation of leaders in Grand Rapids Public Schools.