Luther C. Klager’s Deidra LaPointe selected as finalist for 2025–26 Michigan Teacher of the Year
Klager Elementary’s Deidra LaPointe has been awarded Michigan’s Region 8 Teacher of the Year Award and is also a finalist for Michigan’2s Teacher of the Year. Photo courtesy of Luther C. Klager Elementary School.
by Sara Swanson
Ten Michigan educators from across the state have been selected as 2025–26 Regional Teachers of the Year. Deidra LaPointe, an elementary teacher at Luther C. Klager Elementary School, has been selected as Regional Teacher of the Year for Region 8. Each of these 10 outstanding educators are finalists for the 2025–26 Michigan Teacher of the Year.
This school year marks LaPointe’s 13th year of teaching. It is her third year of teaching first grade in Manchester. She’s also taught in the metro Grand Rapids area and Adrian and has taught GSRP preschool through first grade as well as Title 1 Reading. She stated, “I am so honored by the recognition and excited to learn from and with the other 9 Regional Teachers of the Year in the coming year as part of the Michigan Teacher Leadership Advisory Council. The selection process thus far has been such a great opportunity to reflect on my career and all the experiences I have been lucky to have in education and makes me excited for what is to come as I continue to grow in my field.”
“The Regional Teachers of the Year are selected from among Michigan’s many outstanding educators who play such an important role in student learning,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice. “Regional Teachers of the Year also elevate the voices of teachers by sharing their experiences and valuable insight with our department and the State Board of Education.”
The Michigan Department of Education explained that the Regional Teachers of the Year were selected following a competitive application process that began with being nominated for Michigan Teacher of the Year. Students, staff, and community members from across the state submitted nominations. The 2025–26 honorees were chosen for their dedication to the teaching profession, as evidenced by their commitment to their students and record of service in the teaching profession.
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) organizes the Teacher of the Year program to honor and elevate teacher voices. They state, “Honorees will have the opportunity to share their experiences and knowledge as they work with stakeholders to strengthen Michigan’s public schools for students and educators.” 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 direct work with MDE to provide input on proposed policies and initiatives, and help to 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 stakeholders, with one person selected as the 2025–26 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.
Congratulations, Deidra!
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