Nominations being accepted for 2021-22 Michigan Teacher of the Year
LANSING, Mich. – Teachers across Michigan and the nation are proving their adaptability and resilience as they have worked to provide quality learning experiences for their students during the COVID-19 pandemic.The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is requesting nominations of outstanding teachers for the Michigan Teacher of the Year (MTOY), an annual program that recognizes teachers from throughout the state. Each year, 10 regional teachers of the year (RTOYs) are selected, with one of those teachers named MTOY. Nominations can be submitted using the online form.
The MTOY program is about more than just finding “the best” teacher, said State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice.
“Teachers are constantly finding new ways to assist their students and help their students achieve their dreams,” said Dr. Rice. “We are excited to hear about the many tremendous things that our teachers are doing around the state.
“The Michigan Teacher of the Year and regional teachers of the year are important advocates and allies for teachers and students in Michigan,” Dr. Rice added.
The 2020-21 MTOY is Owen Bondono, a 9th grade English language arts teacher at Oak Park High School’s 9th grade learning community at Oak Park Schools. Bondono serves with his nine fellow regional teachers of the year on the Michigan Teacher Leadership Advisory Council (MTLAC).
Program expenses for the MTOY, RTOY and MTLAC are offset through the generous support of the Meemic Foundation, now celebrating its 14th year as the program’s sponsor. The Meemic Foundation also presents each RTOY and their school with a plaque commemorating their accomplishment.
Nominations will be accepted through Sunday, October 18, 2020. All eligible nominees will be invited to complete first phase of the application process, with the top applicants advancing to the second phase of the process. From there, the top applicant in each region will be named that region’s 2021-22 teacher of the year and will be interviewed for the 2021-22 MTOY. The application process scores candidates on several factors, including their approach to meeting students’ unique needs and their involvement in the education profession.
To learn more about the MTOY program, the MTLAC, and MDE’s other educator recognition efforts, visit MDE’s Educator Recognition webpage.
