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Recognition Opportunities
Overview of Recognition Opportunities
Michigan’s educators are among the nation’s best and it’s important to highlight the incredible work they do every day to provide our next generation with a high-quality education. Whether you’re a student, parent/guardian, fellow educator, community member or partner, we encourage you to help us shine the spotlight on the all-too-often unsung heroes in our schools.
What: Michigan Teacher of the Year (MTOY)
The Michigan Teacher of the Year (MTOY) serves as a representative and advocate for Michigan's more than 85,000 teachers, working with 9 fellow Regional Teachers of the Year as the Michigan Teacher Leadership Advisory Council (MTLAC) to share feedback and input on educational policies and initiatives with MDE and propose ways to enhance student learning.
How: MTOY Nominations
- Submit a nomination for the Michigan Teacher of the Year
- The recent nomination window closed September 24, 2025
What: Proud Michigan Educator (#PME, #proudMIeducator)
- #proudMIeducator is a Michigan Department of Education initiative that aims to acknowledge, elevate, and celebrate the work of great educators in the State of Michigan.
How
- Learn more about the #PME campaign and nominate an educator to be featured via the proudMIeducator webpage.
What: Talent Pool
- The Michigan Talent Pool is a group of elementary and secondary educators nominated by their supervisors the Michigan Department of Education draws upon throughout the year when opportunities for engagement and recognition become available.
How
- Recommendations to the Talent Pool should be submitted by the nominee's supervisor and can be made via the online recommendation form.
Need help?
- Visit the Recognition Programs webpage for more information on MDE’s recognition programs.
Email addresses:
- Michigan Teacher of the Year - MTOY@Michigan.gov
- ProudMIeducator and Talent Pool - MDE-PME@Michigan.gov
- Educator Grants - MDE-EdWorkforceGrants@Michigan.gov
- Jennifer Robel, Manager, RobelJ@Michigan.gov