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March 17, 2025
LANSING – Michigan’s regional teachers of the year say they want to represent their profession well and help children address the challenges of growing up.
The latest #proudMIeducator video features the 2024-25 Regional Teachers of the Year.
“Every student has the right to have a teacher that believes in them no matter what they’re going through in their life,” Clio High School teacher Ms. Sasha Wakefield says in the video. “It’s an amazing profession. You get to change lives. You get to make a difference in lives. I laugh and smile every single day.”
The 2024-25 Regional Teachers of the Year, including Michigan Teacher of the Year Ms. Kelley Cusmano, form the Michigan Teacher Leadership Advisory Council. During their year of service, this group of teacher leaders representing 10 regions across Michigan regularly meets to share issues of importance to educators and students with the Michigan Department of Education and provide input on proposed state and department initiatives.
The advisory council began in 2017 with 24 educators from across Michigan applying directly to MDE for selection before it shifted to its current format in 2018-19 with membership determined through the Michigan Teacher of the Year program application process.
In the video, the Regional Teachers of the Year share why they love their jobs.
“It’s my dream job,” says Ms. Cassandra Eberhardt, a teacher at Williamston Middle School. “I love what I do. I love going to work every day. And I think if we hear more of that, it might encourage other teachers to go into the field or stay (in) the field.”
Mr. Calvin Nellum, who teaches at Detroit Academy of Arts and Science, says he has a love for educators. “Whenever I speak to an educator, I always say, ‘Thank you for your service,’” he says in the video.
State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice said the Regional Teachers of the Year are outstanding ambassadors for their profession. “At State Board of Education meetings, I am so inspired to hear from our Regional Teachers of the Year about everything they do for Michigan’s children,” he said. “They are representative of all the teachers in Michigan who work so hard to help their students learn.”
Since 2016, the #proudMIeducator campaign has featured educators and supporters of Michigan educators who share their passion for education. The full playlist can be found on the #proudMIeducator - YouTube page.
The Proud Michigan Educator program is part of Michigan’s efforts to attract more people to pursue a teaching career in Michigan. Those efforts include, but are not limited to, scholarships to future educators; stipends for student teachers; student loan repayments; Future Proud Michigan Educator EXPLORE grants; the Future Proud Michigan Educator LAUNCH program; Grow Your Own grant programs to help support staff and students to become teachers; Talent Together; expedited reciprocity for teachers and counselors certified in other states; a rural credentialing hub; and tuition reimbursement for special education teachers. Increasing the number of certified teachers in areas of shortage is Goal 7 in Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan.
If you know a proud Michigan educator who should be considered for a future video feature, please email MDE-PME@Michigan.gov.
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