Nominations Now Open for the Next Michigan Teacher of the Year
September 9, 2019
LANSING – Do you know an outstanding teacher who goes above and beyond for their students and is active in promoting the teaching profession?
Nominate them for the 2020-2021 Michigan Teacher of the Year (MTOY) program!
The Michigan Teacher of the Year program recognizes outstanding educational leaders across the state for their work to elevate the teaching profession. The Michigan Teacher of the Year program is an opportunity for communities around the state to nominate outstanding educators so they can share their knowledge and expertise with policymakers and other educators.
“Michigan is fortunate to have teachers who dedicate themselves each day to raising up their students and elevating the educator profession,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice. “We want nominations that reflect racial and cultural diversity, and a wide range of classroom experiences, from which to select the next Michigan Teacher of the Year.”
Nominations can be made using the online recommendation form between now and Sunday, October 6, 2019, at 11:59 p.m. Anyone can nominate a teacher, provided the nominee meets the following requirements:
- Holds a current Michigan teaching certificate
- Has at least five years of successful teaching experience in Michigan
- Works directly with students in their current role
Teachers from all Michigan schools who meet these requirements are eligible to apply. Every teacher eligible to apply will receive an email inviting them to complete Part A of the MTOY application process. Part A of the application process will be due by November 17, 2019.
Each completed Part A application will be reviewed by a group of educational stakeholders from among each of 10 regions across Michigan and select regional semifinalists. Those semifinalists then will complete Part B of the MTOY application. The scores assigned to applicants’ respective Part B submissions will determine the Regional Teachers of the Year (RTOYs). Each RTOY will then be interviewed by a panel of state-wide educational leaders to determine the Michigan Teacher of the Year.
Each teacher named as an RTOY will become a member of the Michigan Teacher Leadership Advisory Council (MTLAC). The MTLAC meets four times during their appointed year and provides RTOYs with an opportunity to learn more about statewide educational initiatives and provide feedback on those initiatives.
Each month, the MTOY and a RTOY attend and present at the State Board of Education meetings and, through the partnership with the Meemic Education Foundation, receive funding to support travel around the state. The MTOY is also able to attend events involving other state’s Teachers of the Year.
For more information about the MTOY program, please contact program coordinator Josh Roesner at either roesnerj1@michigan.gov or (517) 335-5236.