The Kensington Woods Teachers Who Don’t Let Kids Slip Through the Cracks

Shawn Pollman watched one of her former Kensington Woods’ (KWoods) high school students go from skipping class to presenting neuroscience research to a room full of PhDs. Social Studies teacher, Daniel Stastyshyn,  turned a disengaged teen into a straight-A student and school leader. These young scholars didn’t do it with flashcards. They did it by listening, pushing, and not giving up.

They did it by showing up over and over with teachers and staff always ready to support.

The Work Behind the Win

Mrs. Pollman didn’t single out just one student when asked what makes her proud. She couldn’t. “I feel pride daily in so many of our students who face their struggles one day at a time and put in the work to achieve their goals,” she said. But the neuroscience student stuck.

She started middle school at KWoods quiet and unsure, and she struggled with attendance. This student didn’t think she had what it took but she kept showing up, and so did her teachers.

By junior year, she was taking double math and science just to get herself ready for dual enrollment. By senior year, this scholar was already in college. She went on to earn a bachelor's degree. Then joined a grad school research team studying the human brain. She came back to speak at KWoods Career Day. One of her presentations was Advancing the Understanding of the Brain and the Nervous System.

This is beyond a turnaround. It’s a revelation. Our student made history because her teachers saw what she could become.

Relationships aren’t extra. They’re the job.

Mr. Stastyshyn’s proudest moment didn’t come from a grade. It came from a student who started off checked out and disruptive–one who was loud and dismissive of the entire idea of school.

So this teacher slowed down and pulled the student aside for a genuine conversation. “I prioritized building rapport,” he said. “I wanted to understand the root of their disengagement.”

It worked. Not overnight—but steadily. As trust built, the student’s behavior shifted and they student started turning in work. Soon, they were turning the corner, and eventually, this child wasn’t just passing but leading. They earned straight A’s, took on leadership roles and became the kind of kid other students followed.

That kind of change doesn’t happen in a packed lecture hall. It happens in a school where teachers know the students and the story behind the silence. It happens regularly at KWoods, a tuition-free public school serving grades 6-12 in Livingston, MI.

Small on purpose. Focused by design.

Both teachers credit the size of KWoods with making these moments possible. Smaller classes mean more time, more context, more attention.

“We really get to know our students,” Mrs. Pollman said. “In many cases, we have our students for multiple years so that we have a good understanding of their strengths and challenges.”

Every teacher at KWoods is also a Grade Level Advisor. That means they’re not just covering curriculum but helping students set goals, plan for college, and stay organized along the way.

And that’s not just after-school. That happens during the day. In our Academic Center, students get support on assignments. But they also learn how to ask questions, manage time, and build habits that work.

Teachers Meet. Students Move Forward

This isn’t a school where teachers operate in silos. Ours meet and swap notes. They talk about students like a team that wants to win. Mr. Stastyshyn said it best: “We move beyond simply knowing students’ names to truly understanding their individual personalities, learning styles, strengths, challenges, and home circumstances.” 

That’s what it takes to notice when something’s off and do something about it. Because when your kid’s teachers know what motivates them, frustrates them, and pushes them forward, they stop being a number. They start being a priority. And students will always be priority number one at KWoods. Our current students and alumni tell it all.

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About Kensington Woods

Kensington Woods (KWoods) is a public, tuition-free charter school serving grades 6-12 in Livingston County, Michigan. Our small class sizes and experiential learning provide students with a strong foundation for post secondary education. Through our Early College Program, hands-on learning, and creative curriculum, our students can earn up to 60 college credits before graduation. KWoods’ mission is to guide each student on their personal educational journey, whether their path leads to university, technical programs, or professional certification. Consistently ranked one of the best schools in Livingston County! Join us for 2025-2026.

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