The Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce presented the 2024 Alberta Muirhead Teacher of the Year Student Choice Awards April 18 at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center. Participating in the awards presentation are Dearborn Public Schools are DACC Board Chair Maureen Winfree (front row left), Dearborn Education Foundation Executive Director Chastity Townsend, Teacher of the Year for Adult Education Elizabeth Bouladian, Teacher of the Year for High School Angelo Aquino, Teacher of Year for Third through Fifth Grades Angela Zagar, Teacher of the Year for Preschool to Second Grade Jorie Watts, Teacher of the Year for Middle School Maria McCarthy, Dearborn City Councilmember Leslie Herrick, Supt. Glenn Maleyko (back row left), Dearborn Heights Mayor Bill Bazzi, DPS Board of Education Secretary Irene Watts, LaFontaine Director of Pre-Owned Vehicles Mike Law, DACC Education Committee Chair Philipp Emma, DPS Trustees Pat D’Ambrosio and Jim Thorpe, Dearborn Fire Chief Joe Murray, and DPS Trustee Mary Petlichkoff.
DEARBORN — Nominations have now opened for the 2025 Alberta Muirhead Teacher of the Year Students’ Choice Award.
This annual award is sponsored by the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce and presented by LaFontaine Automotive Group. Nominations must be submitted online; the deadline is 5 p.m. March 7. The online nomination form is available on the Dearborn Public Schools website and the DACC site.
Adults may assist students in completing nominations when necessary. No more than two teachers may be nominated per student.
Awards will be presented to five DPS teachers: one each in five categories.
Students may nominate any teacher whom they feel has made an outstanding contribution to the teaching profession. Preschool through second-grade students are asked to describe how their teacher makes learning fun. Third- through fifth-grade students must describe how their teacher has created a classroom where learning is positive and fun.
Middle school students (grades 6 through 8) are asked to explain how their teacher connects classroom learning with everyday life. Students in high school must describe how their teacher is preparing them to be college and career ready, specifically how the teacher motivates them to pursue a college degree, certification, trade apprenticeship, military service or job.
Adult education students should describe how the teacher helped them identify and pursue personal goals, whether educational or career oriented, and how lessons are relevant to those goals.
“I know so many of our teachers are deserving of this award, and I hope many of our students will take a few moments to nominate their favorite teacher,” DPS Supt. Glenn Maleyko said. “Nominating a teacher for this award is a great way to honor them and show appreciation for the work they have done to create a meaningful educational experience.”
Nominations will be assessed on the quality of the nomination, not on the number received. Judges are members of the DACC Education Committee. Winners will be announced at a ceremony to be held at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center at 4:30 p.m. April 17. Nominated teachers and the students who submitted nominations are invited to attend. Check-in for nominated teachers will begin at 4:15 p.m.
Teachers selected to receive Teacher of Year Awards are recognized as positive role models who consistently provide unique, productive, positive classroom experiences. Winning teachers receive a $1,000 cash prize and a glass award commemorating their achievement. They also will join a select group of Dearborn teachers who have been recognized by the community for their dedication and passion for teaching.
“I want to thank the Chamber of Commerce and all the sponsors for once again providing this event,” Maleyko said. “Our district is very fortunate to have so many great community partners willing to support and honor our hardworking teachers.”
For more information, go to the DACC website.