Region 1 | Marquette Area Public Schools, Marquette County
(Sair-ah JOO-day) | She/Her
Sarah Juday is a junior kindergarten teacher at Superior Hills Elementary in Marquette Area Public Schools. Sarah is in her 12th year of teaching, all of which has been at Superior Hills Elementary, and her 9th year as the junior kindergarten teacher. She is a member of her Building Leadership Team, a member of the Kindergarten Readiness Team, an active participant in a GSRP/JK pilot, a coach of 4th and 5th-grade track, and a founder, coordinator, and facilitator of the Reading Madness program at Superior Hills Elementary.
Region 2 | Tawas Area Schools, Iosco County
(Kris-tuh Lef-ler) | She/Her
Krista Loeffler is a highly effective and dedicated educator with 15 years of experience teaching preschool, elementary, and middle school settings, consistently demonstrating strong student growth outcomes. She has served 14 years in the Tawas Area School District and is currently in her 11th year teaching kindergarten at Clara Bolen Elementary School. Krista is a longstanding member of the District School Improvement Team and actively serves on the School Leadership Team and PBIS Team. In addition to her instructional excellence, Krista provides meaningful leadership within the district. She chairs the S.T.E.A.M. Family Night Committee, serves as a Teacher Prep Academy Host Teacher, and has previously mentored new staff members. Her leadership experience also includes serving as the After School Is Cool Program Coordinator. Beyond the classroom, Krista dedicated 26 seasons to coaching cheerleading at the middle school, freshman, junior varsity, and varsity levels, demonstrating a long-term commitment to student development and school community. Krista holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Saginaw Valley State University with minors in Mathematics, English, and Early Childhood Education, as well as a master’s degree in education with a focus on Principalship.
Region 3 | Portland Public School District, Ionia County
(Air-i-ka GOR-zen) | She/Her
Now in her 19th year of teaching, Erica Gorzen leads the 9th–12th grade visual arts program at Portland High School. Erica is in her 8th year at the high school, and she has used her degrees to create unique opportunities for her students. She holds an undergraduate degree in Art Education with a concentration in drawing and painting from Saginaw Valley State University and a master’s degree from The Art of Education University, specializing in mental health within the fiber arts. Her educational background informs her advocacy on fostering growth, building connections, and nurturing understanding through creativity. Beyond the classroom, Erica serves as the advisor for the PHS Art Club, art director for PHS Theater, and holds leadership positions within the PEA, PTO, and district-wide "Portrait of a Learner" initiative.
Region 4 | Frankenmuth School District, Saginaw County
(Loo-k Kuh-NINE) | He/Him
Luke Kanine is a 6th–8th grade physical education and Spanish teacher at E.F. Rittmueller Middle School in the Frankenmuth School District. Entering the 2026–27 academic year, Luke will be in his 12th year of teaching, all of which have been spent serving students in the Frankenmuth School District, at the middle and high school levels. In addition to his classroom roles, he is in his third year as a Behavior Interventionist and his first year as Middle School Athletic Director. Throughout his career, Luke has coached numerous sports, co-founded student organizations including the Frankenmuth Clay Target Club and the Peer-to-Peer program at E.F. Rittmueller Middle School, and has served on multiple school committees representing both teacher and student voice.
Region 5 | St. Clair County Regional Educational Service Agency, St. Clair County
(Ahng Jak-suhn) | She/Her
Ang Jackson is a special education teacher in her 14th year of teaching and her 9th year at Woodland Developmental Center, the center-based school for St. Clair County RESA. She teaches students ages 3–9 in a Severely Multiply Impaired (SXI) classroom, delivering individualized, inclusive instruction to support students with complex needs. In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Ang serves as a mentor teacher for new educators and leads work-based learning students from the St. Clair County Career & Technical Education Program, fostering professional growth and developing future educators. She is an active member of the Michigan Education Association (MEA) and participates in state-level professional development.
Region 6 | Dansville School District, Ingham County
(uh-MAN-duh b-oo-sh) | She/Her
Amanda Bush has been teaching for 10 years with enthusiasm and energy. She began her career in the Lansing School District and joined the Dansville Aggie family in 2021 as a first-grade teacher. She is a member of NEA, MEA, and Kappa Delta Pi. Amanda’s favorite part of teaching is building relationships and fostering collaboration. This is reflected in her service as the PTO teacher representative, her leadership in school-wide events, and her partnerships with community organizations. She contributes to district curriculum planning and serves on the Building Level Team. Amanda is committed to continuous growth and lifelong learning. She continually refines her instructional practices by consulting with a specialist and pursuing ongoing professional development.
Region 7 | Cassopolis Public Schools, Cass County
(Joo lee Hur wick) | She/Her
Julie Herwick is a high school English teacher at Casopolis Ross Beatty High School. Julie is in her 40th year of teaching, and this is her 25th year with Cassopolis. She is the senior class advisor, member of the high school leadership and literacy team, and lead teacher for grades 9-12.
Region 8 | Tecumseh Public Schools, Lenawee County
(CARE-ee BAR-den) | She/Her
Carrie Barden is a 5th-grade teacher at Tecumseh Middle School in Tecumseh Public Schools, with a primary instructional focus on math and science. By the end of the ‘26-’27 school year, she will have 26 years of experience in education, including 15 years at her current school, with a strong focus on student-centered instruction, relationship building, and strengthening school-community partnerships. Carrie serves as the advisor for Builders Club and the co-founder and advisor of the National Junior Honor Society, is a member of the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Building Team, and currently serves as a School Improvement Building Leader. Carrie also coordinates Tecumseh Middle School’s Veterans Day Breakfast and remains active in the community as a lead board member for the Tecumseh Area Little League.
Region 9 | Lake Orion Community Schools, Oakland County
(EH-rihk MUR-Shart) | He/Him
Erik Meerschaert is a Special Education Teacher at Lake Orion High School in Lake Orion Community Schools, where he works within the Categorical program serving students in grades 9–12. Entering his 18th year in education and his 8th at Lake Orion High School, Erik has built a strong reputation for his commitment to student growth, inclusive practices, and school-community engagement. He is actively involved in several educational organizations and leadership roles, serving as an adult advisor for Sources of Strength, coaching Unified Basketball and Unified Robotics, and leading as the Varsity Girls Flag Football Coach. Additionally, Erik contributes to district-level development as a member of the Lake Orion Educational Careers Advisory Committee. He is dedicated to fostering supportive learning environments that empower all students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Region 10 | University Preparatory Academy, City of Detroit
(Bran-dis Bēn) | She/Her
Brandis Bean is a Kindergarten teacher at University Preparatory Academy (UPA): Ellen Thompson for the University Prep Schools district. She teaches all four content areas (ELA, Math, Social Studies, and Science). Brandis is in her eleventh year of teaching, her seventh year at UPA: Ellen Thompson. She has been the Lead Kindergarten teacher for 2 years and a mentor teacher at her school for the past 4 years.
