Mrs. Hagen is an excellent teacher who has made a significant impact on every student’s learning and growth. She makes every student feel capable and valued. Her dedication to each student’s success is truly inspiring.
MEGAN LEDDY
Meridian Elementary School
Congratulations to all our Extraordinary Educators!
Mrs. Leddy is an amazing teacher and has the patience like no other. She has the sweetest kindest soul. She always has a smile on her face regardless of how her day went!
MELISSA GRUNDER
Siebert Elementary School
Mrs. Grunder is an exceptional teacher with a heart full of love for all the children. She goes above and beyond to support the kids and is truly inspiring. Her patience shows while taking time in small groups and one on one to help the children fully understand the subject. I have heard many times from students that Mrs. Grunder is their favorite teacher.
Spotlight Educator
Windover’s Brian Clennan named Extraordinary Educator
By Dan Chalk, Midland Reporting Editor
MIDLAND — As a teacher at Windover High School, Brian Clennan enjoys not only imparting skills and passion for culinary arts, but also a sense of empowerment to his students at the alternative charter school.
As a teacher at Windover High School, Brian Clennan enjoys not only imparting
skills and passion for culinary arts, but also a sense of empowerment to his students at the alternative charter school.
“It’s having the chance of reaching students not just in the subject matter, but in some way to help them get past or work through some of the traumas they’ve had to go through, to say, ‘Those traumas don’t have to define me. I have the capabilities to move
through them,’” Clennan said. “They get to the point of saying, ‘This life is mine and I have the choice to make it mine and not let other people do it for me.’”
Clennan, a teacher for three years at Windover and 15 years at Skeels Christian School before that, was named an Extraordinary Educator by the Midland Daily News for going above and beyond as a teacher.
He teaches introduction to culinary arts and culinary production, a hands-on class in which some students prepare lunch for the school and others participate in catering events for ReGrow Together, whose mission is to empower people through access to healthy meals, job training, education and resources while
reducing food waste.
In the summer, Windover collaborates with Phoenix Community Farm, a nonprofit aimed at improving nutrition security which is located right on the school’s campus.
Clennan is excited when he sees the subject come alive for a student and he’s confident they
will benefit for many years into the future.
“They start to get it, to the point of understanding there’s more to it. For culinary, yes, I’m teaching cooking, restaurant habits, things like that. But it’s not just the subjectit’s showing how it applies to years to come, whether it’s feeding yourself or how to treat
people. To me, that’s satisfaction (as a teacher),” Clennan said.
Clennan was born in Dearborn, grew up in Harrison and worked as a chef at the Doherty Hotel in Clare in the 1980s.
He earned a teaching degree in history and political science at Saginaw Valley State University.
Windover High School culinary arts teacher Brian Clennan, front, is shown with some of his students. (Photos Courtesy of Brian Clennan)
Windover High School culinary arts teacher Brian Clennan, back left, is shown with some of his students.
(Photos Courtesy of Brian Clennan)
COREY SPURLING
H. H. Dow High School
He challenges his students’ minds to solve real-world problems in his Engineering classroom. His classroom is inviting, caring and fun. He makes engineering a path that many students want to follow!
JENNIFER BRUSHABER
St. Brigid Catholic School
Congratulations to all our Extraordinary Educators!
BRIAN CLENNAN Windover Alternative High School
Chef Brian is the perfect teacher for an alternative school classroom. Nearly everything he does is hands on for the students. In the few years he has been at Windover the program has grown to include beginning and advanced culinary and students frequently prepare and serve luncheons for local organizations like the Cancer Society. In addition they do farm to table food prep for Midland’s needy, using produce from the garden they maintain. Brian is preparing so many students for culinary careers as well as life skills that will serve them well.
Mrs. Brushaber grows her students’ confidence while still challenging them academically. She has a gift for nurturing her students as a whole person. Our student has blossomed in her classroom this year.
BECCA BUDKA Adams Elementary School
Becca is a 4th grade teacher at Adams Elementary. She uses her positivity, energy, and extraordinary way of relating to her students, to make students want to be at school and learn to love learning. She has a true passion for educating children and is fun to be around.
REBECCA STINSON
Jefferson Middle School
Ms. Stinson was my daughter’s favorite teacher for 7th grade Science. When I asked her what she loved about Ms. Stinson, she shared the following: “She’s kind to everyone. She makes sure that you understand what is expected of you. She makes science interesting and uses her sense of humor to keep her students engaged. She even did a cartwheel! She’s almost always smiling and is available to her students whenever they need her.” Thank you, Ms. Stinson for being so special!
AMANDA YOUNG
Jefferson Middle School
Congratulations to all our Extraordinary Educators!
JUSTIN DOUGHTY
Jefferson Middle School
Mr. Doughty made an instant connection with my student who is often socially awkward and has trouble communicating. Mr. Doughty took the time to make him feel included and special. He makes himself available to students and makes sure they know that they are a top priority. He is kind and funny and the students love him and look to him as a role model.
Amanda is a special education teacher at JMS. She is good with students who are exceptional learners as she is joyful and caring. Amanda prioritizes the students’ needs and recognizes their unique abilities. Her general education students also benefit from her instruction and support as she is available in co-taught classes.
MARK NAFFIE
Jefferson Middle School
Mr. Naffie has made a positive impact on both of my children. He goes above and beyond for his students, looking outside the box for solutions to help them succeed. He is kind, smart and genuinely cares about the kids he works with every day.
BETH HAZEN
Jefferson Middle School
Beth is an outstanding Art teacher at JMS, and my children were fortunate enough to also have her at Central Park Elementary. Ms. Hazen is compassionate and talented. She pours into her students and community. My children love being in her class and in Art Club. They look forward to class and bumping into her in the halls.
AMY SABOURIN
Jefferson Middle School
Amy is not only an outstanding Geography teacher, she’s an amazing advisor to the drama club at JMS. Amy is patient and kind. She truly loves her students and wants them to do their best. She gives them opportunities to learn and grow and actively sets them up for success. She makes herself available to students and parents and is just overall a wonderful person.
BRANDY NOTHSTINE
Midland County Educational Service Agency
Brandy has taught early childhood special education students at the Midland County ESA in several capacities … as a classroom teacher, a co-teacher with Head Start, and as a teacher consultant. She loves nature and brings her love of nature to her classroom settings. Parents of Brandy’s students appreciate her organization and routine in the classroom.
SHANNON JONES
Midland County Educational Service Agency
Congratulations to all our Extraordinary Educators!
RENEE HEDGCOCK
Midland County Educational Service Agency
Renee is kind, compassionate, and always smiling. She works extremely well as a team with her paraeducators, teaching special education preschool. The parents of her students adore her. She always goes the extra mile for families, students and her coworkers.
Shannon started her career as a paraprofessional, and went back to school to become a special education teacher. She has devoted her career to co-teaching with Head Start preschoolers. This program allows preschoolers with disabilities to learn in an inclusive environment with their peers. Shannon gives her ALL to the students and is a
MICHELLE GOWING
Midland County Educational Service Agency
Michelle is an amazing teacher, mentor and friend to all. She is kind, caring and compassionate and works helping special education students in all local school districts.
ERICA LANPHIERD
Woodcrest Elementary School
She’s a rockstar! She is always positive in her Woodcrest kindergarten class. She helps educate all the kids by showing amazing care and patience. She often goes above and beyond giving kids individualized instruction and attention.
Congratulations to all our Extraordinary Educators!
LAURA DANIELS
JORDAN WOLSCHLAGER
Siebert Elementary School
Ms. Jordan or “Teacher Jordan”, as my son refers to her as, has been such an important part of my son’s life. She truly is such a gift to have at Siebert Elementary in the ESA classroom. Jordan has made my son love going to school every day. He can’t wait to see her each morning and greets her with the biggest smile and hug. She has made such a positive impact on his education by finding the best ways to teach him based on his individual abilities. Her creativity and love of teaching shows in everything she does with her students. Ms. Jordan has made my son want to learn and encourages all of her students to reach their full potential. I am so incredibly thankful for all that she does and couldn’t be more happy to have her in my son’s life. A Teacher he will remember when he’s older and think back to as someone who never gave up on him and helped him reach his full potential.
JAMIE HARUSKA
H.H. Dow High School
She is a teacher consultant and the Head Cross Country Coach at Dow High School. She is a role model for her athletes and dedicates all of her time to cross country to ensure her athletes are prepared both mentally and physically. She shows up for her athletes both on and off the cross country course supporting them at their various events. She is a role model who inspires others and uplifts the community and someone I aspire to be!
MICHELLE TWIGG
St. Brigid Catholic School
Congratulations to all our Extraordinary Educators!
Ms. Twigg is the quintessential educator. She cares deeply for all of her students and their growth as scholars and people. She imperceptibly fosters a sense of community and oneness in classroom while still teaching and nurturing her students in a personalized way so that each student can maximize their full potential without feeling self-conscious about areas of academic challenges. Our child beams going in and coming out of school each day, because of all of the incredible work of Ms. Twigg.
TRACY BRUBAKER
Calvary Baptist Academy
Tracy has joined the science department at Calvary Baptist Academy this year and has already made an impact on her students and colleagues. She includes many hands-on demonstrations and labs for concept reinforcement, goes the extra mile to ensure student understanding and learning, and she genuinely cares for her students! She is a team player, gracious with her time and attention, and excited about education.
