Ten educators have been selected to receive the 2026 Outstanding Educator Award in recognition of their dedication to student success and their positive impact on the school community. Their colleagues and the community nominated them for this prestigious honor.

Through a partnership between Northwest Education Services (North Ed), Traverse Connect and TBA Credit Union, 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:

Becky Harvey - Business Teacher, TCAPS Central High School
Kim Herron - Behavioral Specialist, TCAPS Courtade Elementary School
Brooke Juday - Farm to School Coordinator, Northwest Education Services
Jessica Lawrence - Special Education Teacher, Elk Rapids Mill Creek Academy
Cassie McCall - Kindergarten Teacher, TCAPS Long Lake Elementary
Lauren Petz - Middle School Math Teacher, Suttons Bay Schools
Shannon Rice - School Nurse, Northwest Education Services
Kristin Stuedemann - Principal, TCAPS West Middle School
Karlee Tenbusch - Civics, Government & Journalism Teacher, TCAPS West Senior High School
Jeff Tousley - Superintendent, Frankfort-Elberta Area Schools

Established by the then Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce in 1984, the Outstanding Educator Awards program is facilitated by North Ed in collaboration with TBA Credit Union and Traverse Connect. Each year, 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. Nomination materials are reviewed by a selection 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 beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3 at the City Opera House in Traverse City. The event is open to the public.

For more on the Outstanding Educator Awards program and to view past recipients, visit Northwest Education Services' website.