Farmington, Lamphere Teachers Touted as Outstanding

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OAKLAND COUNTY, MI – Cheryl Newcomer, a sixth-grade English and social studies teacher at Power Upper Elementary School in Farmington Hills, has been named the 2016 Oakland County Outstanding Elementary School Teacher of the Year.

Newcomer, of Westland, began her teaching career at Farmington Public Schools in 2006.

When asked to describe Newcomer, one parent said:“No matter what a student’s needs are, Cheryl finds ways to meet them with confidence, competence, and confidentiality when needed.”

Former student Emily Snyder added: “Her happiness and energy made the classroom fun.”

She has developed a reputation for bringing science to life in her classroom and going out of her way to support all students. She teaches at Page Middle School.

Banks, of Pleasant Ridge, began teaching in 1995 and has been teaching at Page Middle school since 1998.

When asked to describe Banks, one parent said: “She teaches life, exhibits kindness, and truly goes above and beyond the call of duty."

Colleague Caryn Roe-MacDonald added: “Who do you know that has her students raise money to have a freshwater well dug in a village in Africa? Who would hold the hand of a former student as the student goes through life-saving kidney dialysis? The answer is simple: Elizabeth Banks.”

Each teacher was selected from a pool of 22 of her elementary school and middle school colleague nominees by a committee comprised of education and community representatives. Candidates are evaluated in six areas:

• Engaging students,
• Meeting individual needs of students,
• Demonstrating knowledge of subject area,
• Demonstrating classroom management,
• Relating to parents and colleagues, and
• Demonstrating citizenship and leadership in the school community.

Supporting statements from colleagues, parents and students are also considered.

Yet to be named is Oakland County’s Outstanding High School Teacher of the Year. The three outstanding teachers, along with the other nominees, will be honored at an event at Oakland Schools on Thursday, May 5.

The three winners will each receive a check for $2,000.

The Oakland County Outstanding Teacher of the Year program is sponsored by the Oakland Schools Education Foundation with funds from other sponsors.