Dexter Teacher Honored by State Board of Education

From Dexter Community Schools press release:

May 27, 2014 – Melanie Dever, Math and Science Teacher at Mill Creek Middle School, was named a state finalist for the 2014-2015 Michigan Teacher of the Year Award. Melanie will be honored at a Michigan State Board of Education Meeting in Lansing on June 17th, 2014.

The Michigan Teacher of the Year Award recognizes and honors teaching excellence. It selects one teacher to serve as a visible and vocal representative of what is best in the profession, both within the educational community and on an outreach basis with state policymakers. Colleagues, students, board members, parents, and students may nominate K-12 teachers for this recognition. Recipients must be currently active, Highly Qualified Teachers (by No Child Left Behind standards) with a minimum of five years’ experience. The MTOY program is sponsored by the Michigan Department of Education, the State Board of Education, and Meemic Insurance. 

Mill Creek Principal Jami Bronson had this to say about Melanie’s qualifications for this honor: “Melanie was an engineer for 11 years prior to moving to the teaching world. Her ability to connect math and science to everyday life is refreshing and engaging. Melanie sets high standards and develops lessons that are fun for kids. Her ability to create such engaging lessons leaves students thirsty for more.”

Melanie adds: “There has never been a single moment when I regretted the decision to leave engineering and become a teacher. Building an environment where kids can learn and grow is the greatest and most rewarding challenge. I feel especially fortunate to be teaching in Dexter, where I'm surrounded by hard-working educators and fabulous students. If I'm a good teacher, it is because of all that I've learned from my supportive and encouraging colleagues, and from my inspiring students.”

Posted by Barbara Read, Board of Education Trustee (Communications Committee)