Lynn Dumala - BeFOUR Teacher (GSRP preschool program)

Alexander Macomb Early Learning Center

Ms. Dumala’s students build their independence each day with exploration and socialization, all intertwined with a passion of teaching and learning. She easily connects literature to all other aspects of the classroom; such as the math and writing centers, art, dramatic play, music, physical education and science exploration. Students utilize lots of movement during music, transitions, and centers; using auditory, kinesthetic, visual, and interpersonal methods required for a successful future kindergarten experience. Ms. Dumula is in constant communication with parents to offer praise, responses, and suggestions.  She extends each student’s parent / teacher conference to 30 minutes in order to thoroughly connect with each family.  She is fair in her necessary constructive criticism and critiques, but at the same time is respectful and nurturing to the young minds she is assisting.  She voluntarily leads the Social Committee, participates in all community and school fundraisers, and regularly creates opportunities for families to come into the school to celebrate curriculum related events She has dedicated her professional career to working in a NAEYC Certified building.  She motivates children, parents, and colleagues, to set the bar high because she already does so for herself.

Deborah Caligiuri - 1st Grade Teacher

M.L. King Jr. Academy

Mrs. Caligiuri demonstrates a winning combination of enthusiasm, curiosity and dedication  Mrs. Caligiuri treats all students with a genuine caring and empathetic manner.  She does a daily inspirational cheer with her students, encouraging them to say positive comments out loud about themselves and how they can reach their dreams using an “Encouraging Words Bag” filled with motivators. She has raised academic achievement by incorporating the latest research proven methods such as best practices, movement, hands-on activities and technology into her well-planned lessons. In order to differentiate instruction to her students’ learning style she routinely uses video-streaming and educational e-links for use with classroom technology To encourage students’ curiosity in science, technology and mathematics, she has written and received funding to introduce students to robotics, using Lego Robotics.  She has taken additional professional development courses in teaching students how to construct and program robots. Mrs. Caligiuri has been extremely successful in being awarded funds to provide her students with the best programs and materials available (LEGO Robotics, LEGO Word and Number Building, Handwriting Without Tears, LEAP Frog Desk Computers, DIGI Blocks, Measurement Materials and Class Field Trips.) She is currently working with other teachers to develop and publish classroom web-pages to further communication with her students, parents, and the community. 

Seminole Academy

Mrs. Clausen has the best interest of each of our students in mind by finding out how each student learns and what they need to be successful.  She has created her own educational products to help her student’s academic achievement in all core areas. The inventions she has created are a “slider” to help with multiplication, ,a shake It up center to help students with addition and subtraction, trick or treating to help the students with division, numerous graphic organizers for different academic areas and much more. Furthermore, Mrs. Clausen plans for assignments that require the use of the computer for research, visual aids, audio support and the output of a document. She has made a connection with the students that allow them to share their feelings, good or bad, and still be able to realize their academic potential.  Her student’s parents know they are always welcome and that they can trust Mrs. Clausen. She utilized her own time to lead Seminole’s after school recycling club meeting twice a month after school.  Through her efforts and education the school is moving forward on a green path which is good for the Earth.  She encourages the students to be leaders and to follow their beliefs when it comes to helping their school and community be green. This spring the green club will be working with the Anton Art Center in painting the sewer caps in downtown Mount Clemens.  Mrs. Clausen works on building the student's confidence with not only praise, but by engaging them in different social situations.  

   
Paul Cuthbertson - 6th Grade Teacher

George Washington Academy

Paul is committed to his students and their success. He is enthusiastic about each subject matter that he teaches.  He utilizes different resources, ideas, and methods when planning his lessons.  He keeps in mind the diverse needs of his class and differentiates his lessons for the variety of abilities in his classroom.  Paul employs creativity and diversity in his lessons utilizing hands on tasks, group work and PowerPoint presentations to teach new material Students make use of technology on a daily basis in the classroom from utilizing the Promethean Board to learn interactively and demonstrate their knowledge of materials to accessing the internet for research based projects and word processing software to write the reports  Paul engages the community within the classroom and school by assigning month long book reports that require brain based style presentations. Students utilize community resources to complete the project as well as inviting members of the community into the classroom that pertain to the student’s topics. Paul engages students in a “choices” method of learning.  This method transforms the responsibility on the students, making the student responsible for understanding the subject matter and make proper choices to be successful in their schoolwork.  Paul encourages students to adapt and be ready for Junior High by creating a classroom culture and atmosphere that incorporates a Junior High theme.  Students are in motion, utilize lockers and are treated as though they are in a Junior High environment.   Paul also ensures a high rate of student success by making students responsible for their learning.  Students take ownership of their work by being responsible for understanding the material as well as proper choices to be successful.  Paul also has a folder called “What You Missed” for students who are absent.  When the student returns to school, Paul and the student review what was missed and is recorded in the folder.  Respect and fairness is the main focus of his classroom. 

Mount Clemens Junior High

Ms. Kirkland spends a great deal of time working with her students to make sure they understand the material she is covering.  On classroom "Choice Days" students can choose how they will demonstrate their understanding and also where they will work. Michelle said, "If can get a student to work on a drawing that shows he understands how something works in science while sitting on the counter by the window then so be it, the goal was for the student to understand the material not sit quiet in his seat doing a worksheet." Michelle uses the student response system almost on a weekly basis to enhance her lessons and to check the student’s level of understanding.  Michelle gives mini lessons to the staff on how to use the student response system and how to create Smart Board lessons.  In the fall of2010, she did a presentation to showcase the student response system technology for visiting National School Board members. Michelle has spent the last 7 years involved in a science related grant to improve her teaching and understanding of science education. Two of these years she has been a Mentor Science Teacher to a group of Special Education teachers from Macomb County.  Michelle has been trained to run the District's new Digital Theater and has stayed late after school numerous times to showcase the theater and perform shows for the community. 

     
Ann Henrikson  - Special Education / Social Studies Teacher

Mount Clemens High School

Since 1998 Ms. Henrikson has taught Physical Education, Swimming, Health, Computers and Careers in the Mount Clemens Community School District. Currently as a Social Studies Co-Teacher she provides support to special education students.  She applies a variety of non-traditional instructional strategies to elevate student achievement and success. Through video streaming she has brought history to life and incorporates the projector and document camera to clarify the meaning of difficult text. She monitors her students closely and makes appropriate use of data to guide her instruction, she is a master of explicit instruction and her students' success is proof.  Her students feel respected and included in the academic environment Ann also coaches high school volleyball. Last year she had the pleasure of hosting Volleyball Districts for five visiting teams. She threw her heart into the challenge and designed and produced the programs to minimize cost to the district.  All of her interactions with student athletes and staff are marked by respect and caring.  She has built strong relationships over time with families in the community. Ms. Henrikson volunteered her time during the summer, after school and during her planning hours to assist the School Improvement Team with the School Improvement Grant. She was instrumental in personally contacting all the parents of our students taking the MME and expressing the importance of attendance and doing their absolute best.  She is well-respected in the building, as she has developed a rapport with the majority of the study body. Ann's common-sense approach with students earns their respectful behavior.