By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
When Linnea Lucas took an introduction to psychology class as part of her general education requirements during her first semester of college, something clicked.
“I loved tapping into the minds and hearts of people to help bring about positive changes,” Lucas said. “I liked learning about how emotions worked and how life experiences could actually change the brain and its responses to the world around us.
“One of the things I liked most was that psychology is very much about working in the gray. It is not black and white. It requires constant problem-solving skills because no two situations or humans are the same.”
And when Lucas realized she could pursue psychology in the field of education as a school psychologist, she knew that’s what she wanted to do for her career.
“I knew I wanted to be a part of the educational field to help students, teachers and families who needed something extra to be successful at school,” Lucas said. “I wanted to help individuals who needed someone in their corner to help navigate school because they learn and behave differently than the majority of their peers.”
As the school psychologist at Plainwell Community Schools, Lucas’ commitment to students and families has never wavered. And in recognition of that commitment, Lucas was named 2024 Plainwell Educator of the Year by the Otsego-Plainwell Area Chamber of Commerce.
Lucas was informed of the honor by PCS superintendent Matthew Montange.
“I was in shock and then I was extremely grateful,” Lucas said of receiving the award. “Working at PCS is an honor and a privilege for me.
“The administration, staff and students at Plainwell make doing my job a true pleasure. There are so many staff members who deserve this award. I am just a small part of a wonderful team.”
Lucas sees her primary role at PSC as helping students, families and teachers have a successful experience with the district.
“I enjoy that every day is new and that I am always being faced with new challenges,” she said. “I am part of the stellar ancillary team at PCS, and together, we help connect students to the extra support needed to be successful at school.
“We also provide consultative support for academic, behavioral and social-emotional concerns.”
As part of the duties that come with her position, Lucas is the head of the district’s Crisis Response Team.
“This is a volunteer team of extremely dedicated individuals in our district who are trained to help assist when we have a crisis situation in our district or any of the surrounding districts,” she said. “They are all top-notch individuals, and I am proud of our team.”
Lucas began her college education at Kellogg Community College before transferring to Western Michigan University. At WMU, she earned her bachelor of science degree in psychology, a masters of psychology and finally an educational specialist degree.
Lucas credits her husband Corey Lucas with always “lovingly pushing and challenging me to try new things.”
“Life is always filled with adventures being married to him,” Lucas said. “Family and God mean everything to us.”
Lucas’ children also serve as an inspiration.
“Jordyn, our daughter, works for our family business and is married to my son-in-law Thomas,” she said. “They are expecting our first grandchild in April.
“Our son Parker lives and works in Portage. And our daughter Lilly goes to Plainwell Middle School where she is extremely active in sports, clubs, choir and doing everything that middle schoolers do. She keeps me very busy and young. I love it.”
When it comes to her goals for the futures as it relates to her role at PCS, Lucas wants to focus on fostering an inclusive, supportive environment for all students, while addressing their academic, social-emotional and mental health needs.
Specific goals include:
● Promoting Mental Health Awareness
- Advocate for mental health education in schools to reduce stigma.
- Provide training for teachers and staff to recognize and respond to mental health concerns.
● Fostering Equity and Inclusion - Develop and implement programs that support diversity, equity, and inclusion in schools
- Address systemic barriers affecting students from underrepresented or marginalized backgrounds.
● Enhancing Academic and Behavioral Support Systems - Collaborate with educators to design evidence-based interventions for academic and behavioral challenges.
- Use data-driven approaches to monitor student progress and refine strategies.
● Strengthening Collaboration with Families and Communities - Build strong partnerships with families to support student development.
- Work with community organizations to ensure students have access to resources outside of school.
● Improving Crisis Response and Prevention - Lead efforts in developing comprehensive crisis intervention plans.
- Train school staff and students on effective responses to crises such as bullying, violence, and natural disasters.
● Continuous Professional Development - Stay updated on the latest research and best practices in school psychology.
- Engage in ongoing learning to incorporate innovative tools and methods into practice.
● Expanding the Role of Technology - Leverage technology to improve assessments, interventions, and communication.
- Use digital tools to reach and support students in virtual or hybrid learning environments.
● Building Resilience in Students - Focus on developing social-emotional learning (SEL) programs to help students manage stress, build relationships, and make responsible decisions.
“The staff and administration at Plainwell are first-rate, so I see myself as just an extra support to help as much as I can,” Lucas said.
