Finalists announced for 2021 Charter Teacher & Administrator of the Year awards

Ten outstanding educators from across Michigan have been honored as finalists for the 2021 MI Charter School Teacher of the Year and Administrator of the Year Awards.

The semifinalists were announced two weeks ago, and the finalists were announced on March 29, 2021 (the TOY finalists) and March 30, 2021 (the AOY finalists) via social media.

Michigan is home to over 10,000 charter school teachers and more than 1,500 charter school administrators statewide. Over 700 nominations were received from parents, teachers, school leaders, and even students who wanted to recognize the incredible educators working in our urban, suburban and rural communities across the Mitten. The educators moving forward in the finalist round truly represent the best of our movement, and we're proud to share them publicly. 

The five finalists for the 2021 Michigan Charter School Teacher of the Year award:

• Lisa Crawford, West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science, Walker, first grade
• Jordan Dischinger-Smedes, Grand River Preparatory High School, Kentwood, AP environmental science and human anatomy
• Jori Koss, Muskegon Montessori Academy for Environmental Change, Muskegon, seventh and eighth grade
• Timothy Osebold, Michigan Mathematics and Science Academy - Lorraine Campus, Warren, elementary school physical education
• Kelly Potter, Trillium Academy, Taylor, middle school and high school visual art

The five finalists for the 2021 Michigan Charter School Administrator of the Year award:

• Kimberly Llorens, University Preparatory Academy Elementary, Detroit
• Kelly Osterhout, Quest Charter Academy, Taylor
• Teriena Schwartz, Hope Academy of West Michigan, Grand Rapids
• Colleen Vogt, Will Carleton Academy, Hillsdale
• Debby Wilton, Landmark Academy, Kimball

This has been one of the most challenging years for all educators, and we’ve been blown away by the many ways in which Michigan’s charter school teachers and administrators have exceeded all expectations. These finalists represent the best that Michigan has to offer when it comes to exceptional educators. There are teachers from first grade through 12th grade, specializing in everything from environmental science, to visual art, to physical education, and administrators who lead a diverse array of charter schools across the state. These are some of the most talented, hard-working and innovative educators you’ll find anywhere in the country, and we couldn’t be more proud to have them in the MI charter family.”

- Dan Quisenberry, MAPSA President