Michigan Regional Teachers of the Year Announced for 2025-26

LANSING – Ten Michigan educators from across the state have been selected as 2025-26 Regional Teachers of the Year.

Each of these outstanding educators will be a finalist for the 2025-26 Michigan Teacher of the Year.

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) organizes the Teacher of the Year program to honor and elevate teacher voices. Honorees will have the opportunity to share their experiences and knowledge as they work with stakeholders to strengthen Michigan’s public schools for students and educators.

“The Regional Teachers of the Year are selected from among Michigan’s many outstanding educators who play such an important role in student learning,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice. “Regional Teachers of the Year also elevate the voices of teachers by sharing their experiences and valuable insight with our department and the State Board of Education.”

The 2025-26 Regional Teachers of the Year with their role at the time of application are:

• Region 1: Susan Solomon, an elementary teacher at JKL Bahweting Anishnabe Public School Academy in Sault Ste. Marie.
• Region 2: Thomas Schultz, a science teacher at Charlevoix Middle/High School in Charlevoix Public Schools.
• Region 3: Sarah Kresnak, an elementary teacher at Discovery Elementary School in Kentwood Public Schools.
• Region 4: Heather Wolf, a social studies teacher at Shepherd High School in Shepherd Public Schools.
• Region 5: Corey Rosser, a social studies teacher at Quest High School in North Branch Area Schools.
• Region 6: Becky Manore, a Spanish teacher at Grand Ledge High School in Grand Ledge Public Schools.
• Region 7: Lindsey Cook, an elementary teacher at Sonoma Elementary School in Harper Creek Community Schools.
• Region 8: Deidra LaPointe, an elementary teacher at Luther C. Klager Elementary School in Manchester Community Schools.
• Region 9: Stephanie Jaskolski, an English language arts teacher at Woodhaven Upper Elementary in Woodhaven-Brownstown School District.
• Region 10: Susan Kelsey-Brewton, a science teacher at Hope Academy in Detroit.

The Regional Teachers of the Year were selected following a competitive application process that began with being nominated for Michigan Teacher of the Year. Students, staff, and community members from across the state submitted nominations. A map of the 10 Regional Teacher of the Year regions can be found on the MDE website.

The 2025-26 honorees were chosen for their dedication to the teaching profession, as evidenced by their commitment to their students and record of service in the teaching profession.

Together, the Regional Teachers of the Year make up the Michigan Teacher Leadership Advisory Council. The council’s mission is to bring teacher voices to a wider audience, including direct work with MDE to provide input on proposed policies and initiatives, and help to share valuable information and resources with their colleagues in their respective regions.

The next step in the process is for each Regional Teacher of the Year to interview with a panel of statewide education stakeholders, with one person selected as the 2025-26 Michigan Teacher of the Year. The Michigan Teacher of the Year has a seat at the State Board of Education table as a non-voting member, attends several national conferences with fellow state teachers of the year from other U.S. states and territories to represent the experiences of Michigan’s teachers and students, and will be Michigan’s candidate for National Teacher of the Year.

Program expenses for the Michigan Teacher of the Year Program are covered through a generous partnership with the Meemic Foundation. 

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Below are links to photos of the 10 teachers:

Region 1: Susan Solomon

Region 2: Thomas Schultz

Region 3: Sarah Kresnak

Region 4: Heather Wolf

Region 5: Corey Rosser

Region 6: Becky Manore

Region 7: Lindsey Cook

Region 8: Deidra LaPointe

Region 9: Stephanie Jaskolski

Region 10: Susan Kelsey-Brewton