Ten educators have been selected as 2023’s Outstanding Educator Award recipients.

The Outstanding Educator Awards recognize school employees in northwest Michigan who have made exemplary contributions to the academic success of students, educational collaboration and professional development.

Listed in alphabetical order, this year’s outstanding educators are:

●  Susan Broad – Teacher Assistant, North Ed Life Skills Center
●  Marshall Collins – Regional Health & DEIB Coordinator, North Ed
●  Holly Decker – School Social Worker, TCAPS Traverse City High School
●  Mary Hall – K-12 Art Teacher, Suttons Bay Public Schools
●  Will Jurkiewicz – English & Psychology Teacher, GTACS St. Francis High School
●  Sarah Olree – Department Chair, North Ed Life Skills Center/Transition Campus
●  Megan Olsen – Library Media Parapro, TCAPS Traverse City West Senior High School
●  Julie Puckett – Math Teacher, TCAPS Traverse City Central High School
●  Dan Rosenburg – Social Studies Teacher, TCAPS Traverse City West Senior High School
●  Heidi Sleder – ELA Teacher, Elk Rapids Cherryland Middle School

Established by the then Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce in 1984, the Outstanding Educator Award program is facilitated by North Ed in collaboration with TBA Credit Union and Traverse Connect.

Nominations are submitted by public, private and parochial school administrators, colleagues, students, parents and community members throughout the five counties of Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau. Nominations are reviewed by a committee representative of school and community leaders and scored based on points awarded for demonstrated educational excellence.

This year’s outstanding educators will be recognized at an awards ceremony that will take place at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 7 at the City Opera House in Traverse City. The event is open to the public.