When Eagle Crest Charter Academy opened in 1997, the building wasn’t finished, enrollment was uncertain, and a small group of young teachers sat together under a large tree, wondering what would come next. Among them was Deb Neitzel, who is celebrating 28 years at Eagle Crest and has become part of the school’s foundation.
“We had no idea how many students we’d get,” Deb said. “We were eager, excited, and willing to try something new together.”
That willingness even led Deb and fellow teacher Keri Kreple to go door to door on Holland’s north side, passing out flyers to families asking them to consider sending their child to Eagle Crest. “It felt funny at the time,” she laughed, “but it worked.” The nearly 150 students enrolled that first year, and Deb and Keri continued teaching for the next 28 years.
Deb has spent her entire time at Eagle Crest teaching second grade.
“Second graders are like little sponges,” she said. “They’re excited to learn, becoming more independent, and still just love being kids.”
Deb was drawn to National Heritage Academies® (NHA) mission, especially its commitment to strong academics and character-based learning. Moral Focus™ remains one of the biggest reasons she’s stayed.
“It sets us apart,” she said. “Students don’t just learn the virtues they live them. I saw it in my own kids when they attended Eagle Crest.”
She also appreciates how NHA continually updates curriculum to meet student needs. “They don’t keep the same materials for 30 years,” she said. “They adapt, refresh, and try to stay aligned to what kids need today.”
One of the most rewarding parts of Deb’s career is seeing generations return.
“We’re teaching the children of parents we taught years ago,” she said. “It feels like a legacy. Families come back because they know we truly care.”
One of Deb’s favorite memories is a trip to North Carolina where she visited other NHA schools. She enjoyed seeing the NHA curriculum being implemented in another state, meeting other teachers and seeing their ideas.
“It was exciting to see NHA in a different state and collaborate with teachers there,” she said.
“I hope NHA continues striving for the best education possible, strong academics, strong Moral Focus, and strong family involvement,” she said. She also hopes for continued investment in employees. “People are what make our schools successful.”
And she would know, she continues to teach beside many of her lifelong friends.
A Fun Fact
Deb is a proud, loud hockey mom. “People wouldn’t expect me to be the one yelling in the stands,” she said, “but I am.”
Congratulations on 28 years at Eagle Crest Deb! We’re grateful for your commitment to NHA.
About Eagle Crest Charter Academy
Eagle Crest Charter Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Holland, Michigan, serving students in Young 5s through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA®) network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through high school across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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