2020 Award Winners

Oak Park High School

Owen Bondono is the 2020 Michigan Teacher of the Year. He comes from a family of educators and joined the profession as his second career. A true grow-your-own story, Owen first worked for five years as paraprofessional, substitute teacher, summer school teacher and ELA testing coordinator while earning his teaching certificate. He's since spent five years leading a classroom at both the middle and high school level, and currently teaches 9th grade English Language Arts. As the faculty advisor for his school's Queer-Straight Alliance (QSA), Owen works to advocate for all students and ensure that school is a safe, productive place for them. Owen has led training and organization within his building to improve climate and culture surrounding issues of equality and is a facilitator for LGBTQ Student Safe Spaces. He is also a member of the Anti-Racist Leadership Institute and Resource Coordination Team (MTSS). Owen has served on the Superintendent's Advisory Committee and the Activities Committee. Outside of school, he volunteers for the national literacy organization, for National Novel Writing Month as a Metro Detroit municipal liaison and has edited several locally produced plays. [Term expired: August 31, 2021]

The Early College at Lansing Community College

Anthony Greenburg helped establish and has worked for the Early College at Lansing Community College since its founding in 2011. He is currently the English instructor, but also serves as a student mentor, a recruiter, and a liaison to the college and the school's area partners. Prior to the Early College, Anthony worked for the Lansing School District as an Assistant Principal and a high school English teacher. At Eastern High School, while department chair, he contributed to the authorization of the International Baccalaureate® (IB) program and taught English Language Learner (ELL) students, many from the school's large refugee population, in an effort to provide meaningful access to the full curriculum. Anthony is actively involved in the Michigan Early and Middle College Association (MEMCA). He also volunteers at his children's schools and serves on the board of a community lacrosse club. [Term expires: May 9, 2021]

Stoney Creek High School

Cara Lougheed is the 2019-2020 Michigan Teacher of the Year. She has taught multiple levels of English, as well as U.S. and World History for 21 years in Rochester Community Schools - beginning at Rochester High School and as a founding staff member at Stoney Creek High School when it opened in 2001. Over the years, Cara has also been a social studies teacher leader, a building activities director, union building representative, and a national delegate at the annual NEA Representative Assembly. Cara has an ongoing passion for improving student learning through the mentoring and training of new and young teachers. She has mentored a number of Rochester teachers and trained six student teachers from four different Michigan universities over the last decade. Cara believes educators never stop learning, and that we must seek ways to grow and embrace equity in the classroom and beyond. [Term expired: August 31, 2020]

Hastings High School

Cathy Longstreet has worked in the Hastings Area School District since 1996. Although entering the educational profession as a second-grade teacher, she has spent the majority of her career as a school counselor. Cathy is currently serving as a high school counselor assisting students within the academic, social/emotional, and college and career realms. She spends the majority of her professional time crafting programs and working alongside students as they create and implement their post-secondary plans. Cathy is passionate about college equity and access as it relates to both rural/underrepresented students, as well as school counselor professional development. Email: LongstreetC@Michigan.gov. [Term expired: April 1, 2022]

Houghton High School

Ruth Lahti hails from Hancock, located in the Upper Peninsula's Keweenaw Peninsula. Ruth is currently on sabbatical from Houghton Central High School, where she taught English 12, AP English Language and Composition, and theater. She was also the head of the English department and the women's golf coach. In 2015, Ruth co-founded "Right Start UP," a non-profit organization that promotes the healthy physical and psychological development of children and families. She currently serves as the chair of the organization, and is working to expand its non-profit childcare center, "Right Start Kids Academy." Ruth holds bachelor's degrees from the University of Michigan and Michigan Technological University, and a master's degree from Northern Michigan University. She enjoys golf, skiing, being with her family, and traveling. Email: RyynanenR1@Michigan.gov. [Term expired: June 1, 2022]

James and Grace Lee Boggs School

Annie Markey has been working in elementary education since 2013. She is the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) and Curriculum Coordinator at the James and Grace Lee Boggs School in Detroit, Michigan. In her role, Annie supports K-8 teachers in developing and implementing place-based curriculum, coordinates the intervention program, and teaches reading intervention. She has served on her local union's bargaining committee for two years, including in a leadership role on the finance committee. Annie previously taught kindergarten and first grade in Detroit and worked as a curriculum consultant. In her free time, she teaches aerial circus classes for the Detroit Circus. [Term expired: May 9, 2020]