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Washtenaw County teachers awarded cash, new car for impact on students

2024 LaFontaine Teacher of the Year winner Kalli Nowitzke from Dexter Community Schools. (Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Three Washtenaw County teachers have received cash prizes -- and a car -- by the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber for their unwavering commitment to their classrooms and students.

“As the Chair of the A2Y Chamber Teacher of the Year committee, it is such an honor to recognize the great educators that we have in our community. It never ceases to amaze me the amount of care, hard work, and support that these teachers provide to the children in our county, the children who will be our future leaders, " said Bank of Ann Arbor branch manager and Teacher of the Year Committee Chair Dave Norton.

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Dexter Community Schools special education teacher Kalli Nowitzke and third grade teacher Jennifer Johnson, were recognized as the 2024 LaFontaine Teacher of the Year and Distinguished Teacher of the Year winner, respectively.

Nowitzke won a two-year lease vehicle from LaFontaine and Johnson was awarded $1,000 for her classroom.

Ypsilanti Community Schools English as a Second Language Teacher Rhoshawda Miller was named the 2024 LaFontaine Commendable Teacher of the Year and won $500 in cash for her classroom.

2024 LaFontaine Distinguished Teacher of the Year winner Jennifer Johnson (left) and 2024 LaFontaine Commendable Teacher of the Year winner Rhoshawda Miller (right) (Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber)

“This year, we had a record number of nominations in our community, and we have truly picked the best of the best. Thank you to all educators, nominators and our A2Y Chamber Teacher of the Year committee for their hard work this year. A special thank you to the Lafontaine Automotive family for their continued support and sponsorship of our award recipients. I look forward to another record year of nominations in 2025,” Norton said.

All three teachers will be recognized during an A2Y Chamber Early Edition breakfast at Weber’s on May 15.


About the Author
Sarah Parlette headshot

Sarah has worked for WDIV since June 2018. She covers community events, good eats and small businesses in Ann Arbor and has a Master's degree in Applied Linguistics from Grand Valley State University.

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