Future Ready Open House is Going VIRTUAL!

Kalamazoo County middle and high school students and their families are invited to discover free educational opportunities available to them at the interactive KRESA Future Ready Virtual Open House on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 5-8 p.m.

Paraprofessionals Make a Difference

Kalamazoo RESA (KRESA) employs more than 120 full-time special education paraprofessionals who assist teachers and students in classrooms countywide.

New Transition Coordinator Focuses on Relationships

Jordan Blanchard took on the role of KRESA’s Transition Coordinator in November. In her new role, Blanchard will work with local school districts, and students and their families, as students take the next steps following high school.

Michigan Works! Southwest Highlights Need for Bus Drivers

Michigan Works! Southwest will feature Kalamazoo RESA as its Employer of the Day on Wednesday, January 13 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. The agency is looking for bus drivers to fill a critical shortage affecting students county-wide.

Nov/Dec Newsletter | KRESA in Our Community

Happy holidays from Kalamazoo RESA! Take a look at our end-of-year newsletter and see KRESA in action in our community.

Karen Rangler Takes the Helm at KRESA's Young Adult Program (YAP)

In July 2020, months into the COVID-19 pandemic, Karen Rangler was announced as the new principal of Kalamazoo RESA’s Young Adult Program (YAP) and would lead the school into the new school year.

Meet Lorri Batsie - CTE Career Coach

When it comes to preparing students for meaningful careers and a successful future, CTE Career Coach Lorri Batsie often refers back to her favorite quote by Eric Sheninger, “Don’t prepare kids for something, prepare them for anything!”

Superintendents’ Joint Statement on the Increase in COVID-19 Cases

The ten Kalamazoo-area superintendents are urging families and community members to be mindful of safety guidelines as temperatures begin to drop and case numbers rise, especially in social settings.

Sep/Oct Newsletter | KRESA in Our Community

Introducing a new way to connect with us! Inside our debut newsletter, you will discover some of the many things KRESA staff and students have been learning and doing since the spring.

Meet Ngozi Jackson - CTE Career Coach

Ngozi Jackson, one of the six new Career Coaches hired by Kalamazoo RESA Career & Technical Education, has a resume full of experiences to draw upon as she helps students chart their futures.

Project SEARCH Launches Careers of Young Adults with Disabilities

It seems it’s impossible to get a job without relevant experience, and impossible to get that experience unless you’ve already had a job. This vicious cycle shuts many potentially outstanding employees out of jobs – especially those with disabilities.

A New Start for Head Start

Before the start of the school year, program staff worked tirelessly to prepare classrooms, buses, and buildings, to ensure we were able to receive children safely and maintain the highest health standards.

Consumers Energy Foundation Provides $250,000 to Support Job Readiness in Four Southwest Michigan Counties

The Consumers Energy Foundation awarded a $250,000 grant to YOU, expanding career readiness training and access to education and jobs.

Leveraging Relationships: The Key to Strengthening the Workforce of Tomorrow

Throughout the cradle to career pipeline, the business and educational communities must work hand-in-hand to prepare the next generation for success in the workforce. To promote this synergy, KRESA has hired Sarah Mansberger.

Education for Employment/Career & Technical Education Return-to-Learn Plan 2020-21

Community Rallies to Create 1,000 Clear Masks

In a time where it seems like everyone is drained from day-to-day life during a pandemic, most of the time, even doing the bare minimum can feel exhausting. With this project, the whole community came together and put an incredible amount of effort – and so much love – into these masks.

Education for the Arts Return-to-Learn Plan

COVID-19 Preparedness and Readiness Plan

Joan Hawxhurst - CTE Senior Career Coach

When it comes to changing career trajectories, Joan Hawxhurst, Kalamazoo RESA CTE's new career coach, has some experience. When she began her post-secondary path, she envisioned herself as an architect with dreams of exploring the world.

Building Justice and Growth through Juvenile Home School programs

KRESA's Juvenile Home School programs seek to empower young people who are experiencing incarceration and systemic racism.