A2Y Chamber Presents:
2026 LaFontaine Teacher of the Year
Recognizing the outstanding educators who inspire and shape the future of our community.
Join us in celebrating excellence in teaching across Washtenaw County.
2026 Award Recipients
Jim Barnes
Wylie Elementary School
(Dexter)
Teacher of the Year
$5,000
Cash award toward classroom expenses or continuing education
Janet Rickle
Lincoln’s Childs Elementary School
(Ypsilanti)
Distinguished Teacher of the Year
$1,000
Cash award towards classroom expenses
Elizabeth Caron
Klager Elementary School
(Manchester)
Commendable Teacher of the Year
$500
Cash award for classroom expenses
“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
Branch Manager, Bank of Ann Arbor
Nominate an Outstanding Educator
Nomination deadline: Thursday, March 19, 2026 by 4:30 p.m.
Nomination Criteria
All nominations are reviewed against the following criteria to identify exceptional educators:
- 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
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.
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.
