Oakland County Outstanding Teacher of the Year 2025
The Oakland County Outstanding Teacher of the Year Awards are presented annually to honor and reward teachers in Oakland County who have achieved, through their effort and example, the highest standards of excellence in their profession. Oakland Schools has created these awards out of a conviction that a quality public education system is essential to the health and vitality of our community. We believe that encouraging excellence in education is the shared responsibility of all who reap its benefits.
Congratulations to Our 2025 Winners!
Early Childhood Award Recipient
Leah Lynady
Lamphere Early Childhood Center, GSRP
Lamphere Public Schools
"Leah actively seeks opportunities to enhance her knowlwdge, recently attending specialized training on trauma. Inspired by her experience, she pursued certification as a trauma trainer, enabling her to share this valuable insight with her peers and support colleagues in applying trauma-informed practices in the classroom." - Principal Nicole Crousore
Elementary School Award Recipient
Sarah Vrabel
Edmonson Elementary, Third-Grade Teacher
Lamphere Public Schools
"Mrs. Vrabel is not just a teacher. She is a magician. She uses her creative powers to engage students in learning everyday. My son was a 3rd grade student in Mrs. Vrabel’s classroom last year and it was exactly the kind of experience that you hope your child will have in school. My son, whose usual answer to “what did you do in school today?” was “nothing” couldn’t wait to get into the car to tell me all about the fun he had in class and the things he was learning" - Parent Stacy Elsey
Middle School Award Recipient
Samantha Samuels
Oak Valley Middle School, Grades 6-8 Choir and Theatre Teacher
Huron Valley Schools
"Mrs. Samuels leads her professional learning community, bridges the East and West side of the district working with both high schools, and makes connections to enhance vocal music at feeder elementary schools. She has a passion for getting more kiddos involved in vocal music while connecting that music to other content areas. She teaches students history through songs, did a whole piece in sign language last year to expose students to a different language, and explains the science of rhythm. Students become more excited about their content areas because she provides real world connections to an activity they love so much. " - Principal Sara Fraza
High School Award Recipient
Erik Meerschaert
Lake Orion High School, Special Education-Self Contained CI
Lake Orion Community Schools
"Erik's deep understanding of his students’ needs allows him to craft personalized and engaging lessons that go beyond traditional academics. He integrates sensory-based learning tools, assistive technologies, and hands-on activities to ensure that every student, regardless of their ability level, can actively participate and achieve success. By focusing on life skills, communication, and independence, Erik equips his students with essential tools for navigating their daily lives with confidence." - Principal Daniel Haas
Outstanding Teacher of the Year Nominees
Early Childhood
Campbell, Sarah
Brandon Early Childhood Center
Early Childhood Special Education (3-5 years old)
Everett, Stephanie
TSD Preschool
Preschool - All
Ferguson, Kathy
Oxford Early Learning Center - Lakeville Elementary
GSRP preschool for all
Hoover, Sarah
Addams Early Childhood Center
Early Childhood Special Education
Kleinhans, Kendell
Avondale Early Learning Center
Great Start Readiness Program/PreK for All - 4-Year-Old Preschool
Ligerakis, Lara
Farmington Early Childhood Center
Early Childhood Special Education
Rock, Erica
Early Childhood Center
Headstart Teacher
Elementary School
Duncanson, Charissa
Ferndale Upper Elementary School
Elementary Music
Gahry-Delie, Denise
R Grant Graham Elementary
4th Grade
Haboush, Nancy
Leonard Elementary School
K-5 Reading Specialist
Haggadone, Amelia
Lakeville Elementary
Kindergarten - all subjects
Horne, Stacey
Clawson Elementary School
Kindergarten
Jackman, Dana
Midland Avenue Campus
Grades 4-5
Lennox, April
Haviland Elementary
4th Grade
Lubanski, Terri
Rogers Elementary School
TK-5 Physical Education
Mattar, Daniel
Paint Creek Elementary
5th Grade
McLeod, Jeanette
Keller Elementary School
Kindergarten
Melody, Catherine
Botsford Elementary
JK-5, Math
Moultrie, Elisa
Patterson Elementary
3rd Grade
Musa, Carly
Parkview Elementary
2nd Grade Teacher
Nally, Beth
Hardy Elementary School
4th Grade
Pargoff, Allison
Sheiko Elementary
Kindergarten
Ogans, Karianne
Harvey-Swanson Elementary
1st Grade
Orlowski, Laura
Beechview Elementary School
Fourth Grade Teacher
Zervos, Cynthia
Way Elementary
Media Center Teacher
Zimmerman, Kalie
Kurtz Elementary School
1st Grade
Middle School
Coffin, Katie
Royal Oak Middle School
7th and 8th Grade Language and Literature
Cox, Scott
Scripps Middle School
Physical Education
Fellman, Connie
West Bloomfield Middle School
Middle School Math and Science
Glab, Jamie
Smith Middle School
6-8/Self-Contained Special Education Classroom - MiCi
Ingram, Amisha
Clarenceville Middle School
6-8 Art
Kedzior, Adam
John Page Middle School
6th & 7th Grade Science
Kim, Susan
Power Middle School
8th Grade Math & Algebra
Kaschalk, Andrew
Centennial Middle School
6th grade math and 8th grade leadership
Milia, Kathy
Anderson Middle School
7th Grade Mathematics
Mueller, Beth
North Hills Middle School
8th Grade Special Education Resource Room
Samuels, Samantha
Oak Valley Middle School
6-8 Choir, Communication Arts, Theatre, and Skills for Success
Schikora, Chelsea
Sarah G. Banks Middle School
7th and 8th Grade Science
Dr. Spinks, Rebecca
Avondale Middle School
8th Grade Science; Environmental Science
Renema, Jaime
Clawson Middle School
7th grade ELA and Secondary Literacy Intervention
Sigler, Michael
Ferndale Middle School
Grade 6 Math
Stefanko, Susan
Holly Middle School
6th grade Social Studies and ELA
High School
Baker, Garrick
Avondale High School
Grades 9-12th CTE (Engineering, Robotics, and Building Trades)
Bassett, Peggy
Novi High School
ELA12, CoD ELA12
Best, Kim
Harbor High School
Grades 9-12, online learning lab, math, and EI Categorical
Grossnickle, Margaret
Waterford Kettering
Link Crew, AP Literature, LA 3, and Yearbook, combined it is 9-12th grade
Hrycaj, Megan
West Bloomfield High School
High School Science
Kivari, Hans
Holly High School
HS Physics, AP Physics, Leadership
Laurent, Brittney
Royal Oak High School
U.S. History (9th), World History (10th), Social Justice (10th, 11th, 12th)
Lazzarino, Joseph
Farmington High School
Grades 9-12. Auto Maintenance and Light Repair and Auto Tech
Matz, Rachel
Bloomfield Hills High School
Grades 10-12 English, Newspaper, Student Leadership
Meinhart, Elizabeth
Berkley High School
Math (Algebra I & II)
Ochab, Cedar
Hazel Park High School
Grade 10 MTSS English and Grades 9-12 French 1, 2, and 3
Prueter, Jeff
South Lyon High School
English, 9th, 11th, 12th grades
Rodgers, Sarah
University High School
High School ELA
Ruch, Steve
Oxford High School
Grades 9-12 CTE: Marketing, DECA
Skopek, Amy
Brandon High School
Grades 9-12 Spanish and ASL
Teberian, Andrewv
Walled Lake Central High School
High school grades 9 through 12 special education, including co-taught mathematics and Learning Skills courses.
Tocco, Devon
Madison High School
ELA 9, ELA 12, AP Literature, Film & Literature Studies
Vickers, Rachel
Lamphere High School
9th/10th Grade English Language Arts
Vought, Staci
Athens High School
9 - 12 Media Specialist
Watch the Event Video
We appreciate all of our program sponsors!
Search Our Past Teachers of the Year Since 2022
By Category
Roberta Lusk
Ferndale Upper Elementary School
Ferndale Public Schools
Mackenzie Curl
Holly Middle School
Holly Area Schools
Julie Martinez
Lamphere High School
Lamphere Public Schools
Questions?
Questions regarding the program or event?
Contact Communication Services
Questions regarding the nomination process?
Contact jessica.clarke@oakland.k12.mi.us.