New and Returning Friendly Faces

Mrs. Despres

Counselor at both campuses

Hi, my name is Lauran Despres and I am the new school counselor here at ASA. In addition to school counseling, I have also taught middle school social studies for a decade. I am happy to be a part of the ASA Community for the 2024-2025 school year. 

A little bit about me: 

I earned my undergraduate teaching degree at the University of Michigan (Go Blue!).  After graduation, I moved to Naples, Florida, and taught middle school social studies for 5 years. After much thought, my husband, Nick, and I decided to move back to Michigan to pursue higher degrees in education and to be closer to family. During that time we lived in Ann Arbor, and I continued to teach in a neighboring city. 

In 2018, we decided to move back to Grand Rapids, where we were both born and raised. Before joining ASA, I was a counselor at Saint Thomas, from the spring of 2020 to the spring of 2022, before taking maternity leave. 

I have three children, Marc-9, Jackie-7, and Vivian-2. I am expecting our fourth and am due at the end of January. 

I have enjoyed getting to know the students and staff here at ASA and am eager to help with the social-emotional development of the community during this school year. 

I am at the Lower Campus on Tuesdays and the Upper Campus on Wednesdays. The best way to reach me is via email: ldespres@asagr.org.

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Mrs. Polega

First Grade Teacher

I am so excited to join your community and the first grade team!  I look forward to getting to know all the families and working together to help your child learn and grow to their fullest potential.

Since 2016, I taught at St. Mary’s School in Spring Lake, MI.  For 5 years I served as Preschool Director and Teacher.  I have spent the last 2 years teaching in 1st grade.  I graduated from Aquinas College where I studied Elementary Education with a major in Language Arts and a minor in Math.  I have a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Curriculum, and Instruction from Grand Valley State University.

I live in Walker with my husband, Joel, and our 2 teenagers Jacob (16)  and  Emma (14).  We attend St. Anthony of Padua Parish.  When I am out of the classroom, I enjoy walking and running with my black lab, Walker.  As a family we enjoy swimming in our pool to beat the summer heat.

I attended Blessed Sacrament School in grade 6 - 8.  I am excited to return to the building as a part of the teaching team.