PHS teacher Erica Gorzen named Michigan Regional Teacher of the Year 2026-27

Ten Michigan educators from across the state have been selected as 2026-27 Regional Teachers of the Year.

Each of these outstanding educators will be a finalist for the 2026-27 Michigan Teacher of the Year.

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) organizes the Teacher of the Year program to honor and elevate the voices of teachers. Honorees will have the opportunity to share their experiences and knowledge as they work with partners to strengthen Michigan’s public schools for students and educators.

“Putting Students First means having outstanding teachers to support all learners,” said State Superintendent Glenn Maleyko. “The Regional Teachers of the Year exemplify the outstanding work done by educators throughout Michigan. Our Regional Teachers of the Year provide valuable insights to the Michigan Department of Education and State Board of Education as we make decisions about education policy to help children achieve their life dreams.”

The 2026-27 Regional Teachers of the Year are:

Region 1: Sarah Juday, an elementary teacher at Superior Hills Elementary School in Marquette Area Public Schools.

Region 2: Krista Loeffler, an elementary teacher at Clara B. Bolen Elementary School in Tawas Area Schools.

Region 3: Erica Gorzen, a visual arts teacher at Portland High School in Portland Public Schools.

Region 4: Luke Kanine, a Spanish and physical education teacher at E.F. Rittmueller Middle School in Frankenmuth School District.

Region 5: Angela Jackson, an elementary teacher at Woodland Developmental Center in the St. Clair County Regional Educational Service Agency.

Region 6: Amanda Bush, an elementary teacher at Dansville Elementary in Dansville Schools.

Region 7: Julie Herwick, an English teacher at Cassopolis High School in Cassopolis Public Schools.

Region 8: Carrie Barden, a math and science teacher at Tecumseh Middle School in Tecumseh Public Schools.

Region 9: Erik Meerschaert, a special education teacher at Lake Orion High School in Lake Orion Community Schools.

Region 10: Brandis Bean, an elementary teacher at University Preparatory Academy in Detroit.

The Regional Teachers of the Year were selected through a competitive application process that began with Michigan Teacher of the Year nominations from students, staff and community members from across the state. A map of the 10 Regional Teacher of the Year regions can be found on the MDE website.

The 2026-27 honorees were selected for their dedication to the teaching profession, as evidenced by their commitment to students and their records of service in the teaching profession.

Together, the Regional Teachers of the Year make up the Michigan Teacher Leadership Advisory Council. The council’s mission is to bring teacher voices to a wider audience, including through direct work with MDE to provide input on proposed policies and initiatives and to help share valuable information and resources with their colleagues in their respective regions.

The next step in the process is for each Regional Teacher of the Year to interview with a panel of statewide education partners. One person will be selected as the 2026-27 Michigan Teacher of the Year.

The Michigan Teacher of the Year has a seat at the State Board of Education table as a non-voting member, attends several national conferences with fellow state teachers of the year from other U.S. states and territories to represent the experiences of Michigan’s teachers and students, and will be Michigan’s candidate for National Teacher of the Year.

Program expenses for the Michigan Teacher of the Year Program are covered through a generous partnership with the Meemic Foundation.