Wozniak named ‘Teacher of the Year’ in Rogers City

by Angie Asam–

Teacher of the Year Melissa Wozniak

Staff Writer

Missy Wozniak has been named the Teacher of the Year in the Rogers City Area School district. Wozniak is in her 16th year with the district and has touched the lives of many students throughout those years.

“I am humbled and honored. To know that my colleagues and the administration see value in what I am doing in my classroom is one of the best professional feelings in the world,” said Wozniak.

She currently teaches world history, U.S. history and eighth-grade science. She has also taught biology and anatomy and physiology at the high school.

“We are very proud to award the Teacher of the Year Award to Ms. Melissa Wozniak.  Her dedication to our students and community does not go unrecognized.  Ms. Wozniak makes use of multiple resources and tools to reach all learners in her classroom; that takes time and innovation,” said superintendent Katy Makowski.

Wozniak is a 1991 graduate of Posen High School and a 1996 graduate of Saginaw Valley State University. She began teaching in Rogers City in 1997.

In addition to her teaching duties, Wozniak is the advisor to the National Honor Society, serves on the leadership/professional development team and is a member of the executive board for the Michigan council on social studies.

“She does a fantastic job of meeting the needs of all of her students,” said high school principal David O’Bryant.

The buck doesn’t stop there, however, as she has long time been a leader of Huron spirit in the school, encouraging students to cheer for their sports teams in a loud and positive way while attending the games. Wozniak has also developed strong working relationships with students and colleagues over the years.

“It is all about the students at the end of the day. If I can have each student learn one thing they didn’t know and educate them to make wise decisions, I am doing my job. I always tell my students to educate themselves to make the best decision for them,” said Wozniak who is truly shocked, honored and humbled by the honor.

Chad Coolman, teacher of the year 2010, nominated Wozniak for the award. Coolman said she has been leading the way using technology in the classroom with her Web site, her text to e-mail communication with the students and other forms of technology.

“She finds different ways to reach the students using creative projects and tries new things. She keeps it fresh and exciting mixing in different medias. She does have the students simply taking notes at times but her assessments are always creative,” said Coolman.

From gladiator fights, to the Olympics, plays, skits, videos and other creative projects, Wozniak finds ways to keep the students interested in what they are learning about.

Coolman’s classroom is right next door to Wozniak and during switch times when he is in the hallway he has noticed she has her students really engaged. “As students are leaving her room, they are still talking about

whatever they were studying in class that day. They are talking to their friends in the hallway about it and continuing the conversation. They are very engaged,” said Coolman.

Wozniak has been accepting the congratulations very humbly as she has simply been doing her job, not expecting or wanting any award or recognition besides her students becoming more educated.

With 15 years of teaching in the district under her belt, she has truly touched the lives of many students. Ask around for a good word on Ms. W, it is certain you can find more than one positive comment from a current or former student.