It is my pleasure to recognize the first Career and Technical (K-12) educator to receive the honor of “2011-2012 Michigan Teach of the Year”, Mr. Paul Galbenski, teaching at Oakland Schools Technical Campus Southeast in Royal Oak, Michigan.

With over 19 years of classroom experience, he was one of 16 regional semifinalists statewide.

http://mi.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-37818-256912–,00

(Received the award from state school superintendent Mike Flanagan)

Galbenski will also meet President Obama, go to space camp, gets a car for a year and a leather briefcase.  Oakland Schools Technical Campus Southeast will receive a monetary award of $1,000 to be used for the advancement of education.

Nice perks, but this noble profession has rewards of its own.

“Teachers have a tremendous ability to make a difference in not only their students’ education, but in their lives,” said Governor Rick Snyder.  “Paul Galbenski is an extraordinary role model.  This award not only honors Paul’s remarkable dedication to his students and profession, it also provides an opportunity to recognize the thousands of Michigan teachers who have a positive effect in our classrooms every day. Great teachers like Paul and great teaching are key to developing the highest quality education in Michigan. ”
“There are many, many outstanding educators in the State of Michigan, and to be selected to represent them and earn this honor is just outstanding,” said Galbenski to Fox 2 News

“He pushed me to get all of my certifications in the class.  He’s pretty much the reason why I still attend O-Tech,” said a student.

“We need students. We need the future work force to have the proper skill set and the property certification to validate that skill set,” Galbenski said. “That’s something we’ve been doing here in CTE (Career and Technical Education) for years.”

The other educators selected as state-level finalists for the Michigan Teacher of the Year Award are:

1. Melody Perrin, special education teacher at Keith Bovenschen School, Macomb ISD
2. Jerald Czarnecki – mathematics teacher at Kelloggsville High School,  Kelloggsville Public Schools

For additional information on the Michigan Teacher of the Year program, access www.michigan.gov/mtoy.

Author: Amy Gritzinger