Written by Renae Gould, MCC Communications Specialist 

Education is a family affair for Jael, Anna and Amy Berry, of Gowen. 

While they are at different stages in their lives, the trio is currently taking classes at Montcalm Community College. 

Jael, 16, is dual enrolled, which means she is taking college classes while still in high school. Anna, 17, and their mom, Amy, 47, are both nursing students at MCC. 

The Berry’s have 12 children, all of whom have been homeschooled. The Niles Homeschool Co-Op pays for their college classes, which Amy calls a “huge blessing.” Although the family still pays for their books, they are reimbursed for the cost of them. 

Out of the family’s 12 children, five have participated in dual enrollment thus far, with three of them taking classes at MCC, including Anna and Jael. 

“The cost for college can be crippling,” Amy said.  

Fortunately, Amy qualified for the Michigan Reconnect program for residents who are 25 years or older and have obtained a high school diploma or equivalent. Michigan Reconnect helps pay the costs of tuition or training for eligible adults who want to pursue an associate degree or skills certificate. It also pays the remaining balance of tuition, at the community college’s in-district rate, and mandatory fees after other state and federal financial aid have been applied. Amy also received a Pell grant, which helps cover additional expenses. 

“I applied for it, it pays for everything,” Amy said of Michigan Reconnect. “I think future Amy will be thankful I did this now.” 

Anna was dual enrolled before graduating from high school. She is in her first year in the nursing program. 

“I think that it’s awesome that my mom and sister are attending the same college as I am,” Anna said. “I think that Montcalm Community College really maintains an atmosphere of learning and support, and I couldn’t be more excited to be able to share that with people that I love. I also think that it’s super cool because it proves that MCC can be helpful to people in all different stages of life.” 

Amy said dual enrollment is a requirement for the Berry family children, as well as volunteering and completing an internship, on top of their regular course of study. She said it’s important for their children to have a classroom experience. 

“It’s a gentle transition,” Amy said. “It introduces them to a world I can’t.” 

Jael is not sure what career she wants to focus on, yet, but she is taking general education requirements. Instead of studying amid the chaos at home, she enjoys being on MCC’s Sidney campus on the days Anna is in class, as well. In her spare time, she enjoys crocheting. She even has her own business on Etsy and is doing commissioned work now. 

Anna started her college career during COVID. She started her classes in person, but then went completely online. She has taken classes on both MCC’s Greenville and Sidney campuses. She is just getting started in her nursing classes, and she loves the sense of community she already feels as part of the program. 

“Unfortunately, I have yet to meet all of the students in my cohort, as there are a lot of people, but I hope that through the next couple of semesters, I will be able to form friendships with most, if not all, of the students in my cohort,” Anna said. 

In her spare time, she likes to hang out with her boyfriend, play disc golf and board games. She also volunteers at Lincoln Lake Baptist Youth Camp in the summer and during winter retreats. 

Amy’s goal is to take one class in person and one class online each semester.  

“I like being in the classroom because it makes it easier to grasp concepts,” Amy said. 

She said it’s important to be surrounded by your peers in class, not just for her, but Anna and Jael as well. 

“The group atmosphere will help spur you on,” Amy said. 

When Amy isn’t teaching her own kids, attending class, or watching her two grandchildren, she likes gardening, canning, cleaning and organizing. 

“There’s still time for lots of involvement,” Amy said. “It’s all about time management.” 

“It’s important to schedule everything with so many working parts,” she added. 

Amy said the help of her husband of 28 years, Josh, makes it all possible. 

“There is no way I could have 12 children, homeschool and now go to school without him,” she said. “This is definitely a team effort!”