The Spring Lake High School community has warmly embraced several newcomers, including Ben Huitema. He is Spring Lake’s U.S. history and economics teacher, who mostly teaches freshman and sophomore students. 

What makes Huitema stand out: “I’m a sneakerhead, so I like to collect shoes and seek out rare pairs, especially Nikes and Jordans.” 

Huitema, the oldest of 4 in his family, finished his education at Hope College. 

“I’ve been teaching for a little over a year now if you include student teaching,” he said. 

Not only does he like teaching but he also enjoys “snowboarding, skateboarding, fishing, and sports (both watching and playing).”

Huitema is now an official Laker at the high school. He was a long-term sub last spring, and he said he couldn’t be “more happy to be back here as a full-time teacher.”

Huitema expressed his love of the Spring Lake community. 

“I am very grateful that I get to be a part of it,” he said. “I’m proud to be a Laker!”

Huitema said he is most excited about “building relationships with my students and watching them grow throughout the year.”

Spring Lake can present a great opportunity for success and a chance to grow. Huitema has gotten the opportunity to help with this year’s Powderpuff game. 

“It was fun for me to be involved with Junior Powderpuff,” he said. “Even though the juniors did not win this year, Huitema was “glad that everyone had fun.”