Hello, I'm Amber Kilpatrick — GRPS parent, student advocate, educator, community organizer, entrepreneur, and Ecologist. In November 2024, I was honored to be elected by this community to serve as a Trustee on the Grand Rapids Public Schools Board of Education - a role I hold with deep commitment through December 2028.

Throughout more than twelve years in this district, I have worked hand in hand with educators, students, principals, families, and community organizations to provide support, amplify voice, and bring compassion and care to our GRPS community.

My experience as a community organizer, educator, and practitioner of buddhist philosophy has instilled within me the truth of our inherent interdependence and interconnection. At the core of that connection is love. A word that can sound radical in a political space — but it shouldn't. Especially not when we're talking about the lives and futures of our community's children. When love is at the foundation of what we're offering in our school ecosystem, everyone benefits, everyone thrives.

Love ensures our students have safe, reliable transportation and fresh, nutritious school meals. Love provides innovative curriculum and resources to all students — not just some. Love is an administration that respects parents and caregivers. Love responds with empathy and compassion when our students are impacted by violence, loss, and tragedy. Love uses funding resources wisely to ensure our teachers and staff are paid handsomely. And love creates a culture of care, transparency, and accountability that supports the health of our entire district.

I came to this seat on a platform of love — and love continues to guide every decision I make in the boardroom. It's a commitment I was already demonstrating for more than a decade before I ever appeared on a ballot: walking alongside this community as a math tutor, reading tutor, classroom volunteer, Parent Action Leader (PAL), coach, student advocate, educator, and professional development facilitator.

It's love that led me to create The Mindful Classrooms Project, bringing trauma-informed, healing-centered mindfulness curriculum into our classrooms — and also to our Kent County Juvenile Detention Center and AYA Youth Collective. It's love that guided my involvement on the Boards of the Midtown Neighborhood Association, the Body Mind Being Project, Fountain Street Church, and currently in service to Beyond the City.

And it is love that drives me, every single day, to show up as your Trustee — advocating for budget transparency, meaningful community engagement, and governance that keeps student well-being at the center.

This is not a campaign. It is a calling. And I am honored to serve.

Share your time, heart, and expertise with our GRPS Students. Click below to submit a volunteer application!