WMU College of Education and Human Development

From founding the Journaling Club and presiding over the Rock Climbing Club to preparing for her future classroom, Audrey does it all! 🧗‍♀️✍️ Discover how she found her home at Western Michigan University in her new student spotlight: https://loom.ly/cJqnkBQ

Inspired by her family's legacy and her high school business teacher, Gracie Feckovics found her true calling in Western Michigan University’s business education program. Through campus involvement and hands-on pre-internship experiences, she is already applying real-world skills like universal design learning to create accessible classrooms for future students. Keep up the great work, Gracie! 💛🤎

Read about it here: https://loom.ly/kNQ35r8

Congratulations to two-time WMU alumnus, Dr. Huang Wu! He was recently awarded the Emerging Scholar Award by the American Educational Research Association (Division A), which recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of leadership, administration, or organizational theory. Way to go, Dr. Wu! 🤎💛

Join us in celebrating one of our counselor education faculty, Dr. Olivia Ngadjui! She has been nationally appointed as senior editor of the Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International's Counselors’ Bookshelf. Proud to have you representing WMU! 🤎💛

The week isn’t over yet — and the honors keep coming! 🍎✨ We’re thrilled to celebrate Western Michigan University elementary education alumna Kelly Alvarez, whose impact on multilingual education continues to shape schools across Michigan and beyond.

This week, Alvarez received the Spirit of Excellence Award at the Michigan Association for Bilingual Education - MABE Institute 2026, recognizing her outstanding leadership and advocacy for multilingual learners. Congratulations, Kelly! 💛🤎

Read the story at: wmich.edu/education/news/2026/05/alvarez-bilingual-spirit-excellence-award

WMU Alumni Association

Education alumna Kelly Alvarez honored for statewide impact on multilingual learners | College of Education and Human Development | Western Michigan University standard

🚨 Alert: It’s a sweep! 💛🤎

WMU educators are taking home some of Michigan’s highest honors in education leadership and excellence. Erik Meerschaert, Western Michigan University alumnus and teacher at Lake Orion High School, has officially been named Michigan Teacher of the Year for 2026-2027!

He joins fellow WMU alumni Tara Becker-Utess, named Michigan’s 2026 High School Assistant Principal of the Year, and Dr. Kimberly Carter, named Michigan’s 2026 Superintendent of the Year—giving WMU Alumni a full range of top statewide education honors.

As we wrap up Teacher Appreciation Week, we’re proud to celebrate the incredible educators and leaders who represent the very best of WMU's CEHD. While this week shines a special spotlight on their impact, we celebrate these educators and the difference they make all year long.

From classrooms to district leadership, Bronco educators continue to inspire students, strengthen communities, and shape the future of education every single day. 🍎

WMU Alumni Erik Meerschaert Named Michigan Teacher of the Year for 2026-2027 | College of Education and Human Development | Western Michigan University standard

Day 4 and the celebration continues 💛🤎

This Teacher Appreciation Week, we’re proud to continue recognizing CEHD alumni and educators who are making a lasting impact in classrooms, schools, and communities every day.

Today we highlight:

🍎 Grace Eishen — Teacher at Thomas M. Ryan Intermediate School, Gull Lake Community Schools

🍎 Mary Borkholder — Bilingual Coordinator in Nottawa

🍎 Jimmy Pierucci — Physical Education Teacher at Hackett Catholic Prep

🍎 Stephanie DeAnda — family and consumer sciences teacher at Portage Central High School

🍎 Johnny Edwards — superintendent of Portage Public Schools

From supporting multilingual learners to leading school districts and inspiring students in the classroom, these Bronco educators are helping shape the future of education in meaningful ways.

A fitting story for Teacher Appreciation Week! What started as a mock interview during CEHD’s Professional Development Day led WMU Music Education student Madison Vogel to an opportunity to teach a lesson at Schoolcraft Junior/Senior High School, where her passion for choral music and connection with students made an immediate impression. Now, she’s officially joining Schoolcraft Community Schools to lead the 6–12 choral program! Bravo Madison 🎓🎶

Let’s keep it going 💛🤎

It's day three of Teacher Appreciation Week and the celebration continues! CEHD alumni are making an impact in classrooms and communities every day.

Today we highlight:

🍎 Elliot Gonzalez — 1st grade teacher, El Sol Elementary School, Kalamazoo Public Schools

🍎 Allison Beasley — teacher, Forest Elementary School

🍎 Tucker Albertson — 2nd grade teacher, BASIS Independent Brooklyn

🍎 Joana Zuniga — bilingual preschool teacher, La Escuelita Nuevo Horizonte

🍎 Pam Schwallier — Director of English Learner and Bilingual Programs, West Ottawa Public Schools

From early childhood classrooms to district leadership, these Bronco educators are shaping learning experiences that uplift students and communities.