May 7, 2024
For immediate release
Contact:
Keely Baribeau, PHASD Director of Community Relations,
(810) 984-3101, ext. 4021; kbaribeau@phasd.us
PORT HURON SCHOOLS ANNOUNCES 2024 ADVOCATOR, INNOVATOR AND EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR WINNERS
PORT HURON — For the ninth year, Port Huron Schools has awarded three exceptional staff members in its district with the distinction of Advocator, Innovator and Educator of the Year. The Award is derived from the district’s three mission actions - Advocate, Innovate and Educate.
The winners are:
Advocator of the Year: Georgia Stathakis - Teacher Consultant - Secondary, Special Education
Innovator of the Year: Logan Raney - Choir/Guitar Performing Arts Teacher
Educator of the Year: Tami Cronce - Kindergarten Teacher
Approximately 133 nominations were made by education colleagues, students, staff and community members. Superintendent Theo Kerhoulas surprised each of the recipients in their classrooms on May 7 with prizes donated by DoubleTree by Hilton Port Huron, Insurance Specialists Agency of Marysville with Meemic, Meijer in Fort Gratiot and Downtown Port Huron.
“This is one of my favorite days of the entire school year! It is such an exciting way for our district to celebrate our exceptional staff and show our commitment to their success,” noted Mr. Kerhoulas. “Making this announcement in the midst of national Teacher Appreciation Week makes this tradition even more special for Port Huron Schools.”
To view the videos of the surprise classroom announcements please visit @PortHuronSchools on Facebook.
Previous winners:
2023
Advocator of the Year: Shylah Eagle, Principal, STEAM Academy @ Woodrow Wilson
Innovator of the Year: Wanda Knott, Intervention Spec./Reading Recovery, Crull Elementary
Educator of the Year: Jody Becker, Teacher, Self-Contained MiCI, HWMS
2022
Advocator - Chuck Lesser, Principal, Keewahdin Elementary
Innovator - Tammy Marsh, Executive Secretary, PHHS
Educator - Susie Smith, Kindergarten Teacher, Garfield Elementary
2021
Advocator - Laura Nesbitt, Counselor, Fort Gratiot Middle School
Innovator - Mark Repp, District Technology Trainer, Technology Integration Spec.
Educator - Sarah Miller, Special Education Teacher, Early Childhood Center
2020 - Due to the pandemic, the annual awards program was put on hold.
2019
Advocator - Rayna Palmer, Secretary, Central Middle School
Innovator - Tracee Blake, Administrator, Early Childhood Center
Educator - Judy Fiedler, 5th Grade Teacher, Crull Elementary School
2018
Advocator - Jeanna Roberts, Math/Computer App Teacher at Harrison Center
Innovator - Mary Jones, Art Teacher at PHHS
Educator - Karen Brozovich, Kindergarten Teacher at Michigamme Elementary
2017
Advocator - Pam Patterson, Teacher Consultant for the Hearing Impaired, Indian Woods Elementary
Innovator - Ann Austin, After School Program Site Coordinator; District Robotics Advisor, Harrison Center
Educator - Jeffrey Davis, AP US & World History Teacher, Port Huron Northern High School
2016
Advocator - Nancy Smith, paraprofessional, Roosevelt Elementary
Innovator - Kirsten Greene, 8th grade teacher, Central Middle
Educator - Tammy Longuski, teacher, Kimball Elementary
2015
Advocator - Dawn Schweihofer, 5th grade teacher, Cleveland Elementary
Innovator - Miranda Landschoot, kindergarten teacher, Keewahdin Elementary
Educator - Julie Rock, 5th grade teacher, Keewahdin Elementary
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