Recent Stories

Excellent Education for All February 16, 2016 One of Michigan Teacher of the Year Rick Joseph’s platform items is addressing how income inequality affects education. Here, he speaks from personal experience teaching for several years in vastly different districts. ... Topic: Michigan Teacher of the Year

Saginawesome! A visit to Saginaw HS and Carrollton MS January 19, 2016 When I first stepped inside Saginaw High School, I could feel a palpable sense of resiliency and community pride that runs deep in this mid-Michigan town. ... Topic: Michigan Teacher of the Year

Read. Read. READ! November 17, 2015 One of the most amazing and pleasurable things Michigan Teacher of the Year Rick Joseph gets to do as an educator is read aloud to students every day. Educators and parents know the central role that reading aloud plays in the literacy of both children and adults. Topic: Michigan Teacher of the Year

The Idea Hive – Where Ideas Turn to Action October 20, 2015 Challenging, personal, transformative conversations happen on a daily basis in the Idea Hive, a classroom space shared by Jeff Croley and Jason LaFay at Dewitt High School. MTOY Rick Joseph pays a visit. ... Topic: Michigan Teacher of the Year

Meemic Hits the Airwaves on NCTV17 October 15, 2015 Dwain Ackerman of Ackerman Insurance Group in Warrenville, IL, and Meemic Foundation Executive Director Pam Harlin recently filmed an episode of Business Connection on Naperville Community Television, Channel 17. ... Topic: Outreach

'Empathy in Action' works at home - and the classroom September 21, 2015 As an educator, Michigan Teacher of the Year Rick Joseph is constantly aware of the importance of cultivating communities of care. As he helps his son batter cancer, he sees people who could use some extra help – something consistent with the first component of his platform as MTOY – equity. ... Topic: Michigan Teacher of the Year

Meet 2015-16 MTOY Rick Joseph August 17, 2015 Rick Joseph is Michigan’s Teacher of the Year for 2015-16. He’s a fifth/sixth grade teacher at Birmingham Covington School and has more than 20 years of classroom experience. We talked with Rick about his teaching experience and what his goals are for the coming school year. ... Topic: Michigan Teacher of the Year

Passing the Torch on Michigan Teacher of the Year May 18, 2015 Exactly one year ago, Melody Arabo's life completely changed. Within moments at a surprise assembly, she went from being a third-grade teacher to being the Michigan Teacher of the Year. While that day was incredible and overwhelming and emotional, it couldn’t even begin to prepare her for the wonder and awe she would experience through this once-in-a-lifetime adventure. ... Topic: Michigan Teacher of the Year

Ignite the Flame in Education March 17, 2015 Michigan Teacher of the Year Melody Arabo was invited to speak at the Governor’s Economic and Education Summit at the Renaissance Center in Detroit. Her speech seemed to cause quite a stir, and several people reached out and asked her to publish it. She shares it here. Topic: Michigan Teacher of the Year

Nice Kids Can Be Mean, Too February 9, 2015 Michigan Teacher of the Year Melody Arabo discusses how even the brightest, nicest kids can show bullying behavior. But with a slight change in language, children are more willing to accept their behavior and take responsibility for it. ... Topic: Michigan Teacher of the Year