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A2Y Chamber presents the

2026 LaFontaine Teacher of the Year

The Teacher of the Year Program recognizes the important contributions teachers make in Washtenaw County and throughout the learning community. This award honors excellence in teaching, not by selecting the single “best” teacher, but by recognizing one exceptional educator who inspires students of all backgrounds and abilities, earns the respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues, and serves as an active leader within their school district and community.

For the past 10 years the LaFontaine Family has been proud to honor the incredible teachers of Washtenaw County and recognize the dedication, impact, and effort they bring to their students each school year.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Must be a certified teacher
  • Spends a minimum of 50% of the time teaching students
  • Must be in good standing with their district
  • Plans to continue in an active teaching status
  • Must be a Washtenaw County Public School Educator

Nomination Procedure:

Nominations may be submitted by colleagues, administrators, board members, parents, students, education-related organizations, such as PTO’s

Please submit applications at https://forms.gle/wovRLGwWg6TSfEQC8 

Nominations must include:

  • The nominator’s professional relationship with the teacher. 
  • How the teacher addresses each nomination criterion listed above.
  • Letters of recommendation (i.e. students, parents and/or colleagues).
  • Pictures or videos of events where the teacher had a significant impact.
  • Copies of publicity the teacher may have received.
  • Be sure to include additional supporting evidence that demonstrates to the community the total breadth supports the nomination.

The nomination deadline is Thursday, March 19, 2026 by 4:30 p.m.

Checklist - 2026 LaFontaine Teacher of the Year (TOY) Nominations

2026 LaFontaine Teacher of the Year

2025 Teacher of the Year Award Recipients

The Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber Presents the LaFontaine 2025 Teacher of the Year winners.

“As the Chair of the A2Y Chamber Teacher of the Year committee, it is such an honor to recognize the great educators that we have in our community. It never ceases to amaze me the amount of care, hard work, and support that these teachers provide to the children in our community. Every year I wonder how we will match the previous year and this year didn’t disappoint. We had high quality nominations with the closest scoring ever.  Thank you to all educators, nominators and to our A2Y Chamber Teacher of the Year committee for their hard work this year. A special thank you to the Lafontaine Automotive family for their continued support and sponsorship of our award recipients. I look forward to another record year of nominations.” Dave Norton, Chair Teacher of the Year Committee and Branch Manager, Bank of Ann Arbor.

Committee member, Jessica Evans; NSF, Alyssa Thomas; Dexter Community Schools, Shaima Basuni; Ann Arbor Public Schools, Julee Boalnd; Washtenaw Technical Middle College, Diane Keller, President, A2Y Chamber; Ryan Gildersleeve, Eastern Michigan University and Quaila Pant, Committee member; LaFontaine.

The A2Y Chamber Presents the 2025 LaFontaine Teacher of the Year winner Julee Boland, Reading Teacher, Washtenaw Technical Middle College. Ms. Boland will receive a $5,000 cash award toward classroom expenses or continuing education. 

The A2Y Chamber Presents the 2025 LaFontaine Distinguished Teacher of the Year winner Alyssa Thomas, Special Education Teacher, Beacon Elementary School, Dexter Community Schools. Ms. Thomas will receive a $1000 cash award towards classroom expenses.

 The A2Y Chamber Presents the 2025 LaFontaine Commendable Teacher of the Year winner Shaima Basuni, Arabic Teacher, Huron High School, Ann Arbor Public Schools. Ms. Miller will receive a $500 cash award for classroom expenses.

All the nominations were reviewed against the following criteria:

The 2025 LaFontaine Teacher of the Year Award in Washtenaw County must meet the nomination criteria:

  • Is an exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled educator in a Washtenaw County public school, pre-kindergarten through grade 12 and alternative education
  • Inspires students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn
  • Has the respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues
  • Serves an active role in the school district, as well as in the community

The 2025 LaFontaine Teacher of the Year Award in Washtenaw County must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Must be a certified teacher
  • Spends a minimum of 50% of time teaching students
  • Must be in good standing with their district
  • Plans to continue in an active teaching status

On behalf of the A2Y Chamber board, staff and the Teacher of the Year Planning committee we would like to thank all the nominators, principles, parents, fellow teachers and students for their dedication to so many worthy teachers in Washtenaw County.