Top Teacher

Top Teachers

About the Awards

The Top Teachers Awards provide an opportunity for our community to honor and express gratitude to the educators in Jackson County, MI for their unwavering commitment and dedication to nurturing our area’s youth.

Do you know an exceptional teacher who is making a meaningful impact in the lives of their students? Do they possess a unique talent for motivating and inspiring students? Show your appreciation by nominating them for the Top Teacher Awards!

Annually, ten outstanding teachers are recognized as the Top Ten Teachers in Jackson County, MI. Following a committee-led observation and selection process, the Top Five Teachers emerge, and one educator is awarded the prestigious title of Teacher of the Year.

May 2025 Jackson Magazine

Top Teacher Requirements:

  • Be currently employed as a full-time teacher in a K-12 classroom in a Jackson County, MI school.
  • Have completed a minimum of five years of classroom teaching under either a Standard Teaching or ACA License prior to the school year in which the award is given.

2025 Award Recipients

Teacher of the Year

Teresa Nagy

Western Career Prep High School
Top 5

Courtney Byers

Grass Lake High School
Top 5

Lauren Sager

Jackson Area Career Center
Top 5

Jennifer Taylor

Grass Lake Community Schools
Top 5

Kristin Teal

Northwest Kidder Middle School

Dakota Bahlau

George Long Elementary School

Ramie Bivens

Northwest Elementary School

Sara Drushal

Queen of the Miraculous Medal School

Joy Johnson

Townsend Elementary

Dede Rush

Northwest High School

Event
Photos

View the photographs from the 2024 Top Teacher award ceremony.

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Watch the
Ceremony

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