Two Michigan 'Teachers of the Year' are From Rochester

Two Rochester Community Schools teachers were recently honored by school leaders for being named "teacher of the year" in their fields.  

Monica Harvey from Hart Middle School has been recognized as the Michigan Middle School Science Teacher of the Year by the Michigan Science Teachers Association.

Julie Harris from Rochester High School has been recognized as the Michigan School Librarian of the Year by the Michigan Association of Media in Education.  

Both teachers were honored at a recent Board of Education meeting.

Rochester High Principal Charles Rowland described Harris as knowledgeable and cooperative.

"I've never heard her say 'no,'" Rowland said. "Julie can be counted on to bring her positive, can-do attitude to any task she takes on."

Hart Principal Rachel Guinn said Harvey was recognized by her peers for having a mastery for her curriculum and for a teaching repertoire that has served as a model in the district.

Harvey has a "what's-mine-is-yours" philosophy, Guinn said, and is constantly sharing her knowledge and idea with other teachers. 

Rochester Superintendent Tresa Zumsteg congratulated the teachers. "When you think of all of the teachers in the state of Michigan and for Rochester to have two of them ... it's a very big deal," Zumsteg said.