Jason Klinger cracked a wide, toothy grin on a summer afternoon in his new classroom when it hit him: He’s a real, hired teacher at Grand Haven.

Klinger, 33, had been a frequent substitute teacher at GHHS for two and a half years, with hopes of eventually being hired by the district. His diligence and professionalism as a sub didn’t go unnoticed.

“He shows us that if you want something, you have to work for it,” senior Hannah Kenny said. “He didn’t just act like that job was going to be handed to him.”

A 1999 graduate of Grand Haven High School, Klinger was officially hired on July 13 at a Board of Education meeting. Born in England, Klinger moved to Grand Haven when he was 5 and has lived there ever since. After receiving a Bachelor’s degree in political science from Grand Valley State University, he went into retail management and worked for Spartan stores. Five years later, Klinger got his teaching degree.

Klinger never expected he would get his dream job.

“I mostly just wanted to learn from the great community of teachers that there are here and get as much experience as I could,” Klinger said.

Principal Tracy Wilson, who was Klinger’s math teacher in high school, thinks he’s the man for the job.

“He is a very dedicated, committed, tireless worker,” Wilson said. “Is there an event you don’t see him at? Truly, he attends and supports our kids in every venue. He’s committed to making sure Grand Haven’s the best.”

Klinger, who is often seen pacing along the Harbor Drive sidewalk on summer evenings, has trouble believing that this is all real.

“I look up and go wow, I’m really here, this is my classroom,” he said. “It’s kind of hard to absorb.”

Klinger will teach World History to ninth grade students, and will also head the Model UN club. He has student-taught US History and US Government, and has long term subbed teaching Economics. World History, he says, is the social studies topic that he’s had the least practice with. Klinger is also working on his Master’s degree in education.

Principal Tracy Wilson noticed just how eager high school students were to test their new Chromebooks over the past weeks as she watched them open up the boxes before even having left orientation.

“There were a lot of pilots in our building (last year) along with the fact that we had those chromebook carts that a lot of teachers used,” Principal Tracy Wilson said.  “so our kids were very very familiar with what a chromebook is and how to use it and so they immediately got out their chromebooks as they were waiting in student services”

The chromebooks are part of GHAPS’ 1:1 Technology program which supplies students grades five through 12 with chromebooks which are available for use at school as well as to take home.

“So far the response has been very positive,” Instructional Technology Coordinator Doug Start said. “Kids are excited. I think now so many kids have devices in some way shape or form, that there is not as much of a shock”.

The program aims to increase student engagement, as well as access to online learning tools and information.

“When you think about the way our classroom worked, unless information is in the book or a teacher was available, students had to wait to learn about something they are curious about or have their questions answered,” Start said. “Now students are empowered in their learning and teachers can really mentor students who are motivated.”

In addition to increasing student connectivity, the use of chromebooks by all students ensures each has the opportunity to learn at the same rate.

“This in my opinion levels the playing field in the classroom for all students,” Wilson said.  “That to me is key- that every student has access to the same type of information and they can grow their achievement at an equal pace.”

According to Wilson there is no requirement for how often teachers are expected to use the chromebooks on a daily basis, and their level of usage will likely vary between classes.

Improvements in infrastructure were made throughout the summer to ensure the school’s wifi system is capable of handling this number of devices, in addition the school staff has also undergone additional technology training.

“Teachers spent the last year in professional development getting ready for this year,” Start said. “The tech department and our district tech coaches have delivered thousands of hours of training district wide to make sure teachers were ready when devices hit the classroom”.

To ensure students don’t miss a beat if their device is damaged a new replacement process has also been instituted.

According to Start, the first two accidents are repaired for free and students are offered replacement loaners in the mean time. However if a device is damaged more than twice the repair bill is left to the student.

Tracy Wilson is looking forward to taking off her hard hat and getting back to her regular role as principal as the building construction comes to an end and the new school year begins.

“It’s been overwhelming this summer,” Wilson said. “I didn’t realize the involvement that I would have with the process as the building principal. Much like you would have when you build your house and contractors are saying, ‘What do you think about this?’ or ‘This is a change, what are your thoughts on it?’”

A new fitness center was added on the north end of the building, along with a new area for the TV 5 crew to work. The weight room has been open since it gained occupancy rights in the middle of July. Coaches and fall sports teams have been using the room ever since.  

The new rooms added to the music wing were due to be inspected at the beginning of September, so they could be open for use by the first day of school. Until then, workers were installing flooring and painting, and putting in new instrument lockers. Similar touch ups were being done in the main office area.

Outside of the building, the parking lot was repaved at the end of August to be done when students arrived on Sept. 8. Wilson also had to meet with a landscaper to touch up the area in front of the school.

The construction began last fall with the foundation for the new fitness center, and it was a part of the bond issue passed back in May 2014. Along with the roll out came one to one technology for the students and staff.

“The contractors have been wonderful to work with,” Wilson said. “I didn’t realize that this was a large house that I was really helping construct this summer and it’s been a lot of fun.”