Oakland County Teacher Wins Top Michigan Honors

Rick Joseph, a fifth- and sixth grade teacher Birmingham Covington School, has been named Michigan Teacher of the Year for 2015-16.

The announcement was made Thursday by state school Superintendent Mike Flanagan, The Detroit News reports. Joseph, a veteran with 20 years in the classroom, was selected from 487 applicants and was among five finalists, including Emily Pohlonski, a science teacher at Novi High School.

Joseph said that when he decided to become a teacher, he wanted to help close achievement and socioeconomic gaps – a passion he shares in a privileged community like Birmingham.

“... I am keenly aware of the need for my students to be sensitive to the economic inequities that exist in our region and the world,” Joseph said. “The greatest reward I find in teaching is when a child tells me that they have stood up for injustice and have fought for equity.”

Joseph’s selection comes with a $1,000 award for Birmingham Public Schools. Josephs also gets the use of a new car for a year, and a seat at regular meetings of the State Board of Education.

The other three finalists Michael Craig, special education and agriculture teacher, Charles R. Drew Transition Center, Detroit Public Schools; David Stuart, history and English teacher, Cedar Springs High School, Cedar Springs Public Schools; and Luke Wilcox, math teacher, East Kentwood High School, Kentwood Public Schools.

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Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Education