November 1, 2016

Every day, I get to be with amazing, talented people who are focused on helping others discover and develop their talents. Teachers!



They believe in, inspire, motivate and support learners by learning alongside them and celebrating the joys and challenges of the learning process. They cheer about mistakes because they know that they're prime opportunities for growth. They are always hopeful because they believe that the best rewards come from the challenges that one endures and overcomes.

Teachers know that the work is never done and never easy because their work is life. Life is messy and complex and painful and joyful and beautiful. It's an adventure. Just like learning.

Learning is life.
 
Modeling how to think and act like learners affords teachers the opportunity to live in a state of perpetual, childlike wonder. They can play around with and think about ideas in myriad ways because their students bring unique perspectives that influence, motivate and inspire them. Teachers can try new things and fall on their faces knowing that their students will celebrate their mistakes with them. The learning process is reciprocal.
 
We are all teachers. We are all learners. And, I am thankful and proud to be part of the profession that influences all other professions. We are people builders.
 
What makes you a #proudMIeducator? Share your celebrations!

Tracy Horodyski is Michigan’s Teacher of the Year for 2016-17, the 10^th year Meemic has partnered with the Michigan Department of Education for the MTOY program. She’s a reading interventionist and instruction coach at Zinser Elementary in Grand Rapids and has more than 15 years of classroom experience.