Teachers of the Year Talk About How to Support Students in Latest #proudMIeducator Video

LANSING – Michigan’s 2025-26 Regional Teachers of the Year share the importance of supporting teachers so that teachers can better serve children in the latest #proudMIeducator video.

“We have a lot of amazing educators out there and a lot of amazing students,” said Mr. Corey Rosser, Michigan Teacher of the Year. “And sometimes they don’t always feel that way. And so if we can advocate for better conditions or better opportunities for teachers to reach their potential we can help positively affect students.”

Rosser, who teaches at Quest High School in Lapeer County’s North Branch Area Schools, and the other nine Regional Teachers of the Year are featured in the video from the Michigan Department of Education (MDE). The regional honorees form the Michigan Teacher Leadership Advisory Council. During their year of service, this group of teacher leaders representing 10 regions across Michigan regularly meets to share issues of importance to educators and students with MDE and provide input on proposed state and department initiatives.

“Our teachers are eye level with children in the classroom every day,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice. “The Regional Teachers of the Year know first-hand what supports educators and students need so that children can learn. From the U.P. to the D, from one great lake to two others, they work with children in every part of the state.”

The advisory council began in 2017, with 24 educators from across Michigan who applied directly to MDE for selection before it shifted to its current format in 2018-19, with membership determined through the Michigan Teacher of the Year program application process.

In addition to Rosser from Region 5, the other nine regional awardees in the video, with their role at the time of application, are:

•         Region 1: Susan Solomon, an elementary teacher at JKL Bahweting Anishnabe Public School Academy in Sault Ste. Marie.
•         Region 2: Thomas Schultz, a science teacher at Charlevoix Middle/High School in Charlevoix Public Schools.
•         Region 3: Sarah Kresnak, an elementary teacher at Discovery Elementary School in Kentwood Public Schools.
•         Region 4: Heather Wolf, a social studies teacher at Shepherd High School in Shepherd Public Schools.
•         Region 6: Becky Manore, a Spanish teacher at Grand Ledge High School in Grand Ledge Public Schools.
•         Region 7: Lindsey Cook, an elementary teacher at Sonoma Elementary School in Harper Creek Community Schools.
•         Region 8: Deidra LaPointe, an elementary teacher at Luther C. Klager Elementary School in Manchester Community Schools.
•         Region 9: Stephanie Jaskolski, an English language arts teacher at Woodhaven Upper Elementary in Woodhaven-Brownstown School District.
•         Region 10: Susan Kelsey-Brewton, a science teacher at Hope Academy in Detroit.

Since 2016, the #proudMIeducator campaign has featured educators and supporters of Michigan educators who share their passion for education. The full playlist can be found on the #proudMIeducator - YouTube page.  

The Proud Michigan Educator program is part of Michigan’s efforts to attract more people to a teaching career in Michigan. Those efforts include, but are not limited to, scholarships to future educators; stipends for student teachers; student loan repayments; Future Proud Michigan Educator EXPLORE grants; the Future Proud Michigan Educator LAUNCH program; Grow Your Own grant programs to help support staff and students to become teachers; Talent Together; expedited reciprocity for teachers and counselors certified in other states; a rural credentialing hub; and tuition reimbursement for special education teachers. Increasing the numbers of certified teachers in areas of shortage is Goal 7 in Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan.

If you know a proud Michigan educator who should be considered for a future video feature, please email MDE-PME@Michigan.gov.

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