Troy Schools Surprise, Celebrate 2022 Teachers of the Year

Congratulations to Troy’s Teachers of the Year!

Surprise Announcements for Preschool, Elementary, Middle and High School

Troy, Mich.— Four outstanding Troy School District teachers were surprised in their classrooms today with the news that they had been selected as Teachers of the Year, out of 57 complete nominations received. The winners in each category are names below, and Jordan Holsbeke was also named as Overall TSD Teacher of the Year. Nomination packets are attached to this release, which include quotes from colleagues, students and parents.

MINA MORI – Japanese Teacher, Athens & Troy High, High School Teacher of the Year

A group of students were the force behind the nomination of Mina Mori, praising her for the multiple opportunities she gives them to strengthen their love of and fluency in Japanese. Mrs. Mori’s enthusiasm and passion is well known throughout the district and it does not go unnoticed by those she teaches. As one commented in her nomination packet, “Her work ethic is unmatched. From teaching more than six classes to traveling between Athens and Troy High, she gives many students the option to learn about Japanese language and culture. At the heart of the AP Japanese class who have learned, grown, and bonded through high school together is our incredible teacher: Mori Sensei.”

JACLYNN PARKER -- Science Teacher, Larson MS, Middle School Teacher of the Year

Jaclynn Parker has an exceptional skill to connect with students, according to her nomination packet. Her principal, Joe Duda, continues, “She focuses on each kid's strengths rather than limitations and builds from there! Jackie frequently works one-on-one with her students and helps them utilize strategies to make improvements in their academic work. If you enter her classroom at almost any time, you will hear students talking science, laughing, and engaging with one another. She fosters a curiosity about the natural world among her students that makes them want to take more science.”

PAIGE CAMILLO – Troy Preschool Teacher, Preschool Teacher of the Year

Mrs. Camillo was nominated by a parent, who described her as “the embodiment of above-and-beyond during the difficult 2020-21 school year.” The Burns family explains that their daughter’s experience in her classroom was “transformative” adding that Mrs. Camillo, “changed the trajectory of our daughter’s experience in school. In discussing with her colleagues, it's clear that our experience is not unique for students in her classroom, and she deserves recognition her approach to teaching.”

JORDAN HOLSBEKE – Special Education Teacher at Martell Elementary, Elementary AND Overall Teacher of the Year

Mr. Holsbeke was also nominated by a parent, praising him for his ability to connect, build trust and help students navigate the world around them. “Jordan Holsbeke treats special needs children respect and understanding, lifting them up using compassion and care,” says Theresa Kling. “He is easy to talk to, easy to cry to, easy to vent to; Not just by the students, but by me, a parent, as well. He loves his students and it is obvious he does. He goes the extra mile to make sure his kids are taken care of and that parents have all they need to support their children at home. He is not just a hero at school, but for many families as well. Mr. Holsbeke is changing lives of students and their families for the better.”

Because he was also awarded the Overall Teacher of the Year, Mr. Holsbeke will also received a two-year vehicle lease, courtesy of the Suburban Collection. Representatives from the Suburban Collection were on hand to present him with a car of his choice.

“We have so many phenomenal teachers in the Troy School District and out of all of our nominations from students, parents and colleagues, these three rose to the top,” said Superintendent Richard Machesky, Ed. D. “They each do a tremendous job of building a world class learning environment in their classrooms and it’s clear that they have a tremendous impact on those around them. Jordan, Jackie and Mina bring with them a passion for learning that they pass on to their students. We are extremely proud to have them represent the Troy School District as our Outstanding Teachers of the Year.”

Representatives from the Troy Foundation for Educational Excellence including TFEE Executive Director Alison Hendry were also on hand to help celebrate our Preschool, Middle and High School Teachers of the year (not including the overall teacher of the year) with checks for $500 each for personal or classroom use as they see fit. Said Hendry: "The Troy Foundation for Educational Excellence is so proud to take part in celebrating the TSD Teacher of the Year! Students in Troy are so lucky to be taught by so many fine educators, and we are so grateful to all of them. We love being able to celebrate the best of the best each year through the Teacher of the Year program!"

Fifty-three other outstanding TSD teachers were nominated by parents, students and colleagues. Each of them was singled out for the dedication and commitment they show every day for their profession. All nominees, all of whom will be honored at a Board of Education meeting in April include:

Jordan Holsbeke, Martell Elementary

Jaclynn Parker, Larson Middle School

Mina Mori, Athens & Troy High Schools

Paige Camillo, TSD Preschool

Full List Including Winners along with Additional nominees:

Emily Bard (Boulan Park Middle School)

Marianne Belleville (Wass Elementary)

Brandis Bellhorn (Troy Union Elementary)

Sadie Besl (Athens High)

Meredith Bolden (Schroeder Elementary)

Kerry Brennan (Smith Middle School)

Colleen Calandra (Hamilton Elementary)

Paige Camillo (TSD Preschool) PRESCHOOL TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Colette Carlin (Hill Elementary)

Lisa Carruthers (Leonard Elementary)

Dina Chrisopoulos (Athens High)

Nicole Coffer (Barnard Elementary)

Jessica Craft (Troy High)

Pat Dawood (Athens High)

Raymond Dawood (Athens High)

Renae Dipzinski (Wass Elementary)

Deanna Dutts (Barnard Elementary)

Lauryn Eve (Baker Middle School)

Kevin Flaherty (Troy High School)

Nicole Flores (Wattles Elementary)

Megan Foster (Troy High)

Sarah Gerding (Wattles Elementary)

Shelley Hakala (Troy High)

Tyler Hancsak (Athens High)

Jordan Holsbeke (Martell Elementary) ELEMENTARY & OVERALL TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Taryn Huang (Smith Middle)

Kelsey Kavulich (Costello Elementary)

Shannon Kocher (Schroeder Elementary)

Meghan Kosters (Troy High)

Jennifer Locke (Martell Elementary)

Aaron Maliepaard (Martell Elementary)

Lindsey Maliepaard (Costello Elementary)

Jodi Martin (Martell Elementary)

Giovanna Maruli (Hamilton Elementary)

Mike McEvoy (Hill Elementary)

Melven Moffett (Leonard Elementary)

Jeff Moore (Troy High School)

Mina Mori (Athens & Troy High) HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER OF THE YEAR

John Morrison (Troy High)

Pamela Mulligan (Hill Elementary)

Michelle Mundle (Wass Elementary)

Brian Nutting (Troy High)

Jaclynn Parker (Larson MS) MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Karlye Pickelhaupt (Wass Elementary)

Stepanie Pilarski (Bemis Elementary)

Tammy Polena (Schroeder Elementary)

Sara Ritter (Boulan Park Middle School)

Zach Rondot (Costello Elementary)

Tonia Romancheck (Hamilton Elementary)

Kathryn Ruterbusch (Troy Union Elementary)

Victoria Schaap (Hamilton Elementary)

Gwen Simon (Barnard Elementary)

Jackie Skinner (Wass Elementary)

Jennifer Smith (Boulan Park Middle School)

Song Song (Boulan Park Middle School)

Deborah Stacey (Schroeder Elementary)

Kathryn (Katie) Starn (Leonard Elementary)

Michelle Stevens (Troy Union Elementary)

Erin Valente (Boulan Park Middle School)

Marc Vickers (Troy High)

Erin Voss (Barnard Elementary)

Dustin Warner (Troy High School)

Rachel Weiner (Hamilton Elementary)

Kathleen Weitzel (Bemis Elementary)

Hadeel Yousif (Larson Middle School)

The winning Elementary, Middle and High School teachers have been sent to Oakland County for inclusion in the county-wide Teacher of the Year competition. Oakland County does not have a preschool competition at this time.

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