Allegan Area Educational Service Agency (Allegan Area ESA) is proud to announce that Cindy Jamrog, literacy coach and consultant, has been accepted into the distinguished Gerstacker Fellowship Program at Saginaw Valley State University.
Jamrog is one of a select group of educators from across Michigan chosen for the highly competitive leadership development program, which includes advanced training in leadership, innovation, and global education. The fellowship culminates in an international travel experience where participants explore education systems abroad to gain fresh insights and expand their leadership perspectives.
“I was absolutely thrilled and deeply honored to be accepted,” said Jamrog. “It felt both exciting and humbling to be chosen for such an amazing opportunity. I’m grateful to be part of a community so dedicated to leadership and innovation in education.”
As a literacy coach serving Allegan County, Jamrog supports educators and schools in developing effective, equity-driven literacy practices. She sees the fellowship as a unique opportunity to deepen her leadership skills and bring renewed energy and ideas to her work across the region.
“Professionally, this represents a chance to grow, collaborate with like-minded educators, and bring new ideas back to Allegan County. I see it as an investment not just in my career, but in the kind of impact I hope to make,” she said.
Jamrog is especially excited about the international component of the program. “Experiencing education systems abroad will challenge my assumptions and inspire new strategies. It’s an opportunity to rethink how we support students and educators through a global lens.”
In her role at Allegan Area ESA, Jamrog works with educators across districts to strengthen instruction, build leadership capacity, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. She emphasizes coaching as a collaborative, empowering process.
“I strive to create spaces where educators feel seen, heard, and empowered to take risks. Helping them see themselves as leaders, whether in their classroom or across their building, it is central to what I do,” Jamrog said.
She also looks forward to learning from the other fellows in the program. “Each person brings a different lens, rural, urban, administrative, classroom, and I want to better understand how leadership challenges and solutions show up in different contexts. I also hope to build a strong professional network of equity-driven leaders.”
Jamrog encourages other educators to pursue opportunities like the Gerstacker Fellowship. “Even if you don’t see yourself as a ‘leader’ in the traditional sense, programs like this help you uncover your strengths and grow. Growth doesn’t come from having all the answers. It comes from asking better questions, listening deeply, and staying committed to making a difference.”
Looking ahead, she plans to bring the lessons of the fellowship directly into her work with Allegan-area educators. “The goal is to make the impact of this fellowship tangible and relevant, not just in theory, but in daily practice.”