GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Teacher of the Week is back!
If there's a teacher in your life who you think deserves some recognition, here's your chance!
13 ON YOUR SIDE Mornings is launching Teacher of the Week.
Here's how it works:
Send in your nominations to our email at news@13onyourside.com or text us at 616-559-1310. Make sure to include a short explanation of why the educator deserved to be recognized, as well as a photo.
Then every Monday, a winner will be announced.
OFFICIAL RULES: Nominating Teachers of the Week
Teacher of the Week Winners
On May 2, the winner of Teacher of the Week was Mona Shores Middle School Assistant Principal Willie Burrel.
Burrel previously taught fifth and sixth grade before switching to administration, but says he will always love teaching.
"It's not hard coming to work every day. I love it here," he said.
Burrel fostered his love of teaching in church as a child, and he now teaches Sunday school in his spare time.
On May 9, the winner of Teacher of the Week was MySchool@Kent teacher Kellie Murray.
Murray has been teaching for 21 years. Through the MySchool@Kent hybrid learning model, she gets to work with students one-on-one over Zoom—something that she called the highlight of hybrid learning.
"I work with so many people that deserve credit, recognition," Murray said. "So, I'm very honored and I love my job. I love to work with students."
On May 16, the winner of Teacher of the Week was David Jangda, a mental health liaison at Rockford Public Schools.
Jangda worked as a clinician at a mental health facility for 14 years. He also volunteered to help at-risk youth, where he realized his passion was working with kids.
"We just try to strategically work together, from our bus drivers, secretaries, teachers, administrators, counselors," Jangda said. "We all work great together because we want the same outcome for our kids and that's just success."
On May 23, the winner of Teacher of the Week was Daisy Brook Elementary teacher Lisa Vaughn.
Vaughn, who teaches fourth grade, says that teaching kids is an honor. She said she loves helping her students discover something new or finally understand a concept they've struggled with.
"It's nice to have somebody recognize some of your hard work and that you do have a love and a joy for your profession," Vaughn said. "To me it's not a profession. It's my life and so having somebody recognize that is very nice."
On June 6, the winner of Teacher of the Week was Cedar View Elementary School teacher Jenni Sewell.
Sewell has always worked in education, beginning her career working in daycares before returning to college later in life. When a new school year starts, she likes to keep a data sheet of her students' interests—like favorite colors, sports teams and more.
"To make sure that my kids know that I really, truly care about them even when they're not with me, that I'm always thinking about them and I just want them to be happy and to be able to be just the best person they possibly can be," Sewell said.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
