We Are GR

About We Are GR

We Are GR tells the story of the Grand Rapids public schools system.  It’s a narrative of innovation, creative change and measurable success.  Most of all it is the story of the students, teachers, parents and administrators that are the future of Grand Rapids… We Are GR.

Every week we will add fresh photography and video to original content to help tell the true story of one urban school system that is fighting back against declining budgets and aging facilities with creative partnerships and community support.  If you would like to receive email updates whenever we publish new stories, you can sign up here.

Have a question or story idea? Send us an e-mail here.

Publisher – Andy Dragt
I was born here in Grand Rapids.  My family and I have lived many different places over the years but we are back in GR because we love it here.  Our children are enrolled in the Grand Rapids Public School system and we couldn’t be happier about it.

We Are GR was started out of a desire to share an alternate voice, a voice like ours, with the community at large.  We are involved parents, we are caring teachers, we are thriving students – We Are GR.

I live a thoroughly digital life as the owner of Urbn Studios and the producer of more than a few videos for clients like Rapid Growth Media, the Downtown Alliance and many others.

Photography – Lynell Shooks
No matter where life has taken me, it has kept alive a passion for children and learning  – through work in education policy, serving on a charter school board and even working in international education efforts.  As a photographer, and more importantly, an 11-year “Grand Rapidian,” I’m eager to share visually the many stories of success within Grand Rapids Public Schools and all that our city has to offer.

Exploration of personalities, an enjoyment for life and a fascination with the world are elements I bring to my photography.  Though I shoot primarily weddings and families, I’ve been known to regularly walk through the halls of Burton Elementary (where I’ve mentored for 4 years) with my camera!

We Heart Our Writers
You can find more information about our awesome team of writers at the bottom of each article.  If you are interested in joining the We Are GR team of writers, shoot us an email at info@wearegr.com or hit us up on the contact page.