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September 16, 2026
LANSING – Stephanie Johnson, a seventh-grade English Language Arts educator from Pine River Area Schools who was nationally recognized as a 2025 Milken Educator Award winner, is featured in the latest #proudMIeducator video.
Johnson has taught at the school in LeRoy in Osceola County since 2015.
“Our greatest goal as educators is to have the student feel successful at the end of the year,” she says in the video. “I tell the students all the time, ‘It’s OK to make mistakes. If you (know) everything that I am teaching you, then you shouldn’t be in this class. You should be in the next grade level. There’s nothing for me to teach you.’”
The Milken Educator Award honors early-to-mid career education professionals for their impressive achievements and, more significantly, for the promise of what they will accomplish in the future. At Pine River, Johnson serves on the School Improvement Team, School Leadership Team and District Improvement team.
“Stephanie Johnson exemplifies the passion, skill and commitment that define Michigan’s educators,” said State Superintendent Dr. Glenn Maleyko. “Her leadership at Pine River Area Middle School and her recognition as a Milken Educator Award winner highlight the profound impact she has on students, colleagues, and her community. We are proud to feature her in our latest #proudMIeducator video and grateful for the dedication she brings to helping Michigan’s students thrive every day.”
State Board of Education President Dr. Pamela Pugh said the board always appreciates hearing the perspectives of teachers who work directly with students in the classroom on a daily basis. “It is wonderful to be able to share through @proudMIeducator videos the great work that Michigan’s many outstanding teachers are doing in support of Michigan students,” Pugh said. “Honoring educators like Stephanie Johnson is a good way to spotlight their efforts and recruit and retain teachers in Michigan.”
Michigan’s efforts to attract and retain more people to a teaching career in Michigan include, but are not limited to, multiple pathways to teacher certification; scholarships to future educators; stipends for student teachers; #proudMIeducator programming; Future Proud Michigan Educator EXPLORE grants and LAUNCH programs to inspire interest in teaching careers with middle and high school students; grant-funded Grow Your Own programs, Talent Together and TeachMichigan; expedited reciprocity for educators certified in other states; a rural credentialing hub; mentoring and induction programming; increased educator compensation; and tuition reimbursement for special education teachers. Increasing the numbers of certified teachers in areas of shortage is Goal 7 of Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan.
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.
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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