The Michigan Council of Teachers of English will honor five educators for their excellence in the teaching of English at the annual Fall Conference on Friday, October 19th!
Congratulations to the 2018 honorees!
The Charles Carpenter Fries Award, first given in 1967, was named in honor of Charles Carpenter Fries, an early president of MCTE and a professor at the University of Michigan. Recipients of this award have served their local communities, provided significant service on state and/or national levels, and demonstrated outstanding leadership in the field of education.
2018 Recipient: Christine Vonder Haar, Ferris State University
The Ray Lawson Award, named after longtime MCTE Secretary/Treasurer Ray Lawson, made its debut at the 2002 Annual Conference Luncheon and was awarded to Ray himself that year. Ray exemplifies the kind of teacher who should win the Lawson Award: a person dedicated to the classroom and the profession. Ray has been an inspiration to hundreds of teachers and thousands of students. His leadership and commitment to MCTE and to English instruction is irreplaceable and extraordinary.
2018 Recipient: Dawn Reed, Okemos High School
The MCTE High School Teacher of the Year/NCTE High School Teacher of Excellence for Michigan goes to a teacher who uses diverse teaching methods to inspire students and serves as a role model to other professionals and students. The NCTE High School Teacher of Excellence for Michigan will be recognized at both the MCTE Fall Conference and NCTE Annual Convention in November.
2018 Recipient: Jessyca Mathews, Carman-Ainsworth High School
The MCTE Middle School (6-8) Teacher of the Year shows a strong commitment to creating a caring and respectful climate for effective teaching and learning; uses a variety of teaching methods and plans innovative learning experiences to meet the needs of all students; demonstrates a keen ability to meet the developmental needs of middle-level learners; has earned the respect and admiration of colleagues and students; and provides service to the profession at the local, state, or national level through leadership, presentations, or publications.
2018 Recipient: Jane Ingles-Garver, Charlevoix Elementary School
The MCTE Elementary (K-5) Teacher of the Year shows a strong commitment to creating a caring and respectful climate for effective teaching and learning; uses a variety of teaching methods and plans innovative learning experiences to meet the needs of all students; embeds a love of languages arts in young learners; has earned the respect and admiration of colleagues and students; and provides service to the profession at the local, state, or national level through leadership, presentations, or publications.
2018 Recipient: Heather Jensen, Hillside Elementary School
The Touchstone Award, given in association with the Michigan Youth Arts Creative Writing Program, recognizes Creative Writing teachers at the high school level each year with the Touchstone Award. Winners of this award are “advocates in arts education who endow Michigan’s children with a lifelong capacity for innovation” and have “a record of advocacy for arts programs, dedication to bringing out the very best in their students, and a continued commitment to artistic excellence.” This award is presented annually at MYAF.
2018 Recipient: Kitty Reifert, L’Anse Creuse High School – North (Honored at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival in May 2018)