Brandon Twp.- Two educators who are themselves a lesson in the importance of empathy and understanding have been selected as teachers of the year.
Sharon Voyer is the Brandon Elementary Teacher of the Year. Jeff Malicke is the Teacher of the Year at the secondary level.
‘We are nominating Mrs. Voyer because my son no longer hates school,? wrote Greg and Judy Olrich in their nomination letter. ‘She tries to understand him as an individual, not grouped with his peers. She has brought him back to loving to learn and isn’t that the goal? She is willing to do what it takes to help her students learn and grow to their best potential.?
Michael Olrich was joined by his fourth grade classmates in celebrating their teacher when Brandon Fletcher Intermediate School Principal Carol Bogner entered the classroom to present Voyer with flowers and announce she had been named Teacher of the Year.
‘This is quite a surprise, it’s wonderful and very humbling,? said Voyer after posing with her students for pictures and being congratulated by staff including Superintendent Matt Outlaw and Executive Director of Educational Services Kristy Spann.
Voyer is in her 21st year as a teacher and her ninth year at Brandon.
‘I like everything about teaching, but the kids are the best,? she said. ‘We try to build a good family community where they feel safe to learn and grow.?
Based on comments from her students, including Michael, who calls her his favorite teacher and says he now likes school, it seems she has accomplished that goal.
‘I’m happy because she works really hard to get us focused and it’s really lucky for her to be teacher of the year,? said Katie Ellard, 9. ‘She does fun activities and when she wants someone to do something she does it very strictly so that person does it right. If I’m having trouble with multiplication, she helps me count up and she’s really nice.?
Jeff Malicke, who is in his ninth year as a Brandon High School teacher, was ‘flabbergasted? when Principal Dan Stevens, Assistant Principal Mike Tucker and Outlaw came into the Link Crew class he co-teaches with Dennis Shannon and announced he was the teacher of the year at the secondary level.
‘To be honest, I’m really shocked,? said Malicke, who besides Link Crew teaches broadcasting, freshman English, and is the drama director. ‘Everyday I go home and reflect on how I did… I enjoy my job and try to do the best I can everyday and the best for my students everyday, but I always feel like I can do better… I am honored. I hope I can represent Brandon High School and the Brandon School District well and make them proud.?
BHS administrators selected Malicke, stating in their nomination, ‘He is more than just a teacher, but a mentor to our students. The unique thing about his classroom is that students have multiple projects going on at any given time where he is always on top of all of them. Oftentimes, his classroom extends beyond the school day with students staying for hours after school to work with him to complete projects. He has built an aura with his students that perfection in their assignments is a must and students respond.?
Malicke has never forgotten the words of a professor he had at Wayne State University, an ex-principal, who said, ‘You never know about the students that come in your room? the best hour of their day may be the one they spend in your classroom.?
Malicke tries to live by those words.
‘Teaching goes beyond curriculum, it’s a way of life,? he said. ‘It’s more, ‘Hey, are you OK today?? rather than, ‘Why didn’t you turn in your homework in?? I care about every student in my classroom.?
Outlaw praised both Malicke and Voyer as ‘fantastic choices.? Nominations were accepted from parents, students, and community members for a month and panels of past teacher of the year winners, administrators and central office staff made the final selections.
‘We have so many teachers that are really talented and these two go to the wall for every kid, put in tons of time, have positive attitudes, care about our kids and are great representatives of our teaching staff,? Outlaw said.
Voyer and Malicke will now be nominated for Oakland County Teacher of the Year, winners of which will be announced in May by the Oakland Intermediate Schools.