Michigan elementary school teacher Dana Mahew earns recognition by Detroit Red Wings ice hockey team. Photo Credit:Monroe Elementary School

The Detroit Red Wings ice hockey team is demonstrating to everyone how important educators are to Michigan. Among the best is Dana Mayhew.

Each month from Oct., 2023, to March, 2024, one outstanding teacher was recognized as the Red Wings Teacher of the Month. In April, fans were invited to vote for their favorite monthly winner, and when the votes were counted, the Red Wings Teacher of the Year was announced. She was Dana Mayhew of Wyandotte!

Dana teaches first grade at Monroe Elementary School in the Wyandotte Public School District. She has worked at the school for 11 years. Wyandotte is a small town of about 25,000 residents found in southeastern Michigan.

This Chalkboard Champion was selected for her exemplary work in establishing a Young Fives program; her compassionate approach to student care; and her commitment to preparing young learners for academic and personal success while fostering a sense of belonging and support.

Nominees for recognition program were educators in Michigan who have shown exceptional commitment towards improving student academic success, who have implemented innovative teaching strategies into their curriculum, or who have made a profound difference in the lives of their students. Teachers from all grade levels (K-12) and disciplines were eligible.

Each of the monthly winners received a personalized trophy, two tickets to a home game at Little Caesars Arena, and a $1,500 Visa gift card to purchase supplies for their classroom. As the winner of the Teacher of the Year program, Dana received these gifts, plus a grant in the amount of $5,000 for her school. She was also invited to a meet and greet with two prominent Red Wings players.

Educator Mary Ruiz of New Jersey has been named the 2024 Middle School Teacher of the Year by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Photo Credit: Audacity, Inc.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) has named Mary Ruiz of New Jersey, a professional educator and US veteran, as their Middle School Teacher of the Year for 2024.

Each year, the New Jersey VFW Teacher of the Year award recognizes three exceptional teachers for their outstanding commitment to teaching patriotism to their students. Each year, a teacher at the elementary, junior high, and high school level whose classroom curriculum focuses on citizenship topics is recognized for this award.

“It is gratifying to know that my dedication to connecting our youth with military members and veterans is seen as important and noteworthy,” Mary says. “More gratifying are the rewards I receive in witnessing connections and friendships being formed through these efforts,” she continues.

Mary teaches basic reading skills in Stafford Township Intermediate School. She was nominated for the honor by VFW Post 12173. One of the classroom projects which led her to earn the recognition is a student-led food drive to homeless veterans in the area. She also organized a Veterans Day Ceremony where local veterans and student family members ate breakfast together, followed by a ceremony recognizing the veterans’ service. The event included guest speakers, a question and answer session, and veteran interaction with the fifth and sixth grade students. Also among the lessons and projects she has developed are Patriot Day lessons about 9/11, Veterans Day lessons, a Memorial Day Biography, and a Flag Walk with Flag Day lessons.

Mary earned her Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts with a Concentration in Elementary Education. She earned her Master’s degree in Education from Stockton University. She also holds teaching certificates as a Special Education teacher and Reading Specialist. Additionally, she is a graduate of the Travis Manion Foundation Spartan Leadership Program. For her work in the classroom, Mary was named as the 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year in Stafford Township School District.

Before becoming a teacher, Mary served for ten years in the US Army, including two combat tours. By the time she was discharged, she had achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. But over the years, her devotion to her fellow veterans has not wavered. Outside of the classroom, Mary helps veterans transition from military service to civilian life. She also helps VFW officials organize mental health wellness programs and weekend retreats on Long Beach Island for transitioning veterans.

Vermont elementary school teacher Aziza Malik has been named her state’s 2024 Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: Colchester Sun

I am always excited to share the story of an outstanding teacher who has earned recognition for their work in the classroom. Today I share the story of Aziza Malik, an elementary school teacher from Vermont. She has been named her state’s 2024  Teacher of the Year by the Vermont Agency of Education.

Aziza teaches fifth grades at Champlain Elementary School in Burlington. She has taught there for the past 14 years. In her classroom, the honored teacher emphasizes connections between the Burlington School District and the local Indigenous population, the Abenaki. “Opportunities to weave in Indigenous ways of knowing and being are everywhere,” asserts Aziza. “I’m not talking about designing curriculum that teaches about Abenaki culture, I’m talking about using the lens of Abenaki culture to learn literacy, science and math skills; and writing, advocacy, collaboration and communication,” she explains.

She is also a big believer in hands-on learning. For example, she recently led her students on a field trip where they collected acorns, dogwood, and willow bare roots f to plant in their native tree nursery. Once the plants are grown, the students will distribute them throughout the city of Burlington.

In fact, through community partnerships, Aziza secured an intern to help plan, maintain, and assist teachers in developing the school grounds into an active outdoor classroom. The internship evolved into a full-time garden educator position, connecting teachers’ curriculum to hands-on garden activities in the growing months and cooking activities in the winter. This position, piloted under her leadership at Champlain Elementary, has expanded to become a model program across other schools in her district.

Aziz earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Humboldt State University in Acata, California. She earned her Master’s degree in Leadership for Sustainability from the University of Vermont (UVM). In 2022, she garnered the UVM Outstanding Teacher Award. Currently, Aziza is a participant in the Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms program, a program that is focused on creating international connections.