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Schools

Get Schooled by Anchor Bay Teachers of The Year

Meet the three teachers the Anchor Bay School District named the 2010-11 teachers of the year.

Three Anchor Bay School District educators have been named Teacher of the Year for the 2010-11 school year.

Teachers from elementary, middle and high school were selected for the honor by their administrators. The awards were presented last Wednesday by Board of Education President Steve Middelstadt.

Melissa VanHulle, (Kindergarten)

VanHulle, who teaches kindergarten, said she was drawn to teaching young students beacuse of the importance of early learning.

“A child's kindergarten year creates their academic and social foundation for learning,” said Vanhulle, who has been a teacher for 12 years. “I truly believe it is a year that needs to be filled with positive motivation, creativity and academic challenges.

"The importance of this role has always made me love working with kindergarten children. Their eagerness and smiles make each day enjoyable,” she said.

VanHulle also was a building representative for the North Central Accreditation Team, working to help direct and facilitate the accreditation process for her school. She’s also a member of the district’s Language Arts Curriculum Committee.

“Winning this award is a huge honor,” said VanHulle. “I have always put forth great effort and passion into my classroom and my students. It  means a great deal to be recognized for something I love to do.”

VanHulle studied at University of Michigan-Dearborn, Marygrove, and Oakland University. Outside of the classroom, VanHulle says she is devoted to her family, keeping up with her children Gramm, 7, and Mia, 3.

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Katie Shankin, (Special Education)

“I was honored to receive this award,” said Katie Shankin, who calls her students the favorite part of her job.

Shankin is a alumni of both Grand Valley State University and Saginaw Valley University and has been teaching for nine years.

“I work with the most wonderful people,” she said.

Shankin is also the eighth-grade volleyball coach, co-sponsor of Student Council, co-organizer of the Pirate Palooza and member of the STAT/RTI committee, which is a referral process to provide students with special education services.

Outside of school, Shankin loves to travel and anything related to athletics.

“Anything involving sports,” she said. “I play volleyball and softball on an adult league and like attending professional sporting events.”

Don Dzuik, (English)

“I have always been a reader and writer and teaching English seemed like a natural progression. This is what ultimately drew me to the profession,” Don Dzuik said.

Dzuik was educated at Siena Heights and Central universities. Working his entire 15-year teaching career at Anchor Bay School District, Dzuik said the community has helped his students do their best.

“This is a caring town that wants what's best for their children,” he said. “I have met so many wonderful families within this community. For this, I am truly blessed.”

When he’s not teaching English, Dzuik can be found on the soccer field as the coach of the Boy’s Varsity team.

“This is a passion of mine and a part of my job that rests close to my heart.  We have had excellent teams in the past and look to be strong this coming fall,” he said.

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While he enjoys classic literature, power-lifting and chasing steelhead and salmon on Michigan rivers, Dzuik said his wife Gloria and his children Donny Jr. and Lillian make him who he is. “Ultimately, they are what drive me to succeed."

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