Finalists announced for Michigan Charter School Admin & Teacher of the Year Awards

LANSING, Michigan – Ten outstanding educators from throughout Michigan have been honored as the finalists for the Michigan Charter School Teacher of the Year and Administrator of the Year awards. The semifinalists were announced two weeks ago by the Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA), the state charter school association, and the finalists are being announced today. There are 295 charter schools in Michigan, and hundreds of nominations were received for this year’s awards.

The finalists for the 2018 Michigan Charter School Teacher of the Year award:

• Kayla Campbell, Creative Technologies Academy, Cedar Springs, third grade
• Joe Griffith, Honey Creek Community School, Ann Arbor, middle school social studies
• Kristina Price, Trillium Academy, Taylor, third grade
• Dave Sarkipato, Wellspring Preparatory High School, Grand Rapids, high school math
• Jennifer Villwock, Woodland Park Academy, Grand Blanc, third grade

The finalists for the 2018 Michigan Charter School Administrator of the Year award:

• Pat Cwayna, West Michigan Aviation Academy, Grand Rapids
• Aquan Grant, Arbor Preparatory High School, Ypsilanti
• Bill Kraly, The Chatfield School, Lapeer
• Jim Levering, Black River Public School Montessori Elementary, Holland
• Shawn Robson, Global Heights Academy, Dearborn Heights

“These educators represent everything that makes Michigan’s charter schools successful – innovation, accountability and outstanding student achievement,” said MAPSA President Dan Quisenberry. “Each of these teachers and school leaders are helping their students enjoy meaningful success, both in the classroom and beyond.”

Each finalist will be featured in a video series on MAPSA’s Facebook page during the weeks of April 23-27 and April 30-May 4. The winners of the 2018 Michigan Charter School Administrator of the Year and Teacher of the Year awards will then be announced during National Charter Schools Week, May 6-12. Each of the finalists will also be honored at the State Capitol in April.