Outstanding Educator Awards Program
Regional Outstanding Educator Awards
Northwest Education Services (formerly Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District), in collaboration with Traverse Connect and TBA Credit Union, annually seek nominations for teachers, administrators and school support staff who make outstanding contributions toward the education of students throughout the five-county Traverse Bay region. The regional Outstanding Educator Awards honor the top individuals selected from a pool of candidates who are nominated by community members, professional peers, students and parents. Nomination criteria, forms and a list of past honorees are provided below.
2025 Award Criteria & NOMINATION FORM - Deadline April 9, 2025
The community is welcome to join in celebrating these honorees at the City Opera House in downtown Traverse City at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
Congratulations to the 2025 Honorees (in alpha order)
Listed in alphabetical order, this year’s outstanding educators are:
Elizabeth Blondia
History & English Teacher, The Leelanau School
Dr. Nick Ceglarek
Superintendent, Northwest Education Services
Tanya Helman
2nd Grade Teacher, TCAPS Courtade Elementary School
Danielle Humphrey
REMC 2C Support Specialist, Northwest Education Services
Kerry LaBonte
German Teacher, TCAPS West Senior High School
Ryan Maas
Student Achievement Data Specialist, Northwest Education Services
Christine (Cris) Porter
Human Resources Director, Suttons Bay Public Schools
Kirk Ranney
Principal, TCAPS Blair Elementary School
Charles Taylor
Band Director, Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools
Betsy Wells
Administrative Assistant, TCAPS Central High School