The announcement came today from the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), which runs the national program sponsored by the ING Foundation.  The program is in its 58^th year of honoring excellence in teaching.

In May, Mrs. Teisan was named the 2007-2008 Michigan Teacher of the Year and serves in that capacity through June 2008. 

Teisan, a seventh grade science teacher at Harper Woods Secondary School with more than 20 years of classroom experience, was selected from Teachers of the Year from the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and five U.S. extra-state jurisdictions.

“This is a tremendous honor not only for June, but for all Michigan teachers,” said state Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan. “This recognition elevates the profile of the great things happening in classrooms all across Michigan .”

Throughout her career, Teisan has continued to pursue personal excellence through various educational opportunities including National Board Certification in 2002; an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership in 2004; and currently through doctoral studies.  She received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching in 2005.

“June is truly a model teacher who brings excitement and creativity to learning for her students,” said State Board of Education President Kathleen N. Straus. “She exhibits the professional traits and skills that make teaching and learning matter. We are very proud of her.”

For Teisan, teaching now is built upon the knowledge of the past with an eye toward today’s global economy.

“As the saying goes,” Teisan said, “everyone is an expert on education because of his or her own K-12 years. But unlike the old days, our ‘world is flat’ and the classroom of yesteryear must morph into an environment that prepares all children for life in a 21^st century global community.

“What a terrific opportunity this presents to build on prior knowledge – the ‘I remember when’ stories – and cultivate in citizens across our country a deeper understanding of, and appreciation for, what it takes to be a talented, effective educator in today’s world,” she said.

The other educators who were selected as finalists for the National Teacher of the Year award are:

• Lewis Chappelear from North Hills , California
• Mike Geisen from Prineville , Oregon
• Thomas Smigiel, Jr. from Norfolk , Virginia

The National Teacher of the Year will be announced in Washington , D.C. in late April.

   For additional information on the National Teacher of the Year Program, access www.ntoy.org or contact Jon Quam at 202-336-7047 Caroline Campbell at 212-309-5391 at CCSSO. To access information on the Michigan Teacher of the Year Program, please go to www.michigan.gov/mtoy.  The Michigan Teacher of the Year Program’s corporate sponsor is the MEEMIC Insurance Company, www.meemic.com.