NEWS RELEASE: Roseville Community Schools Announces 2022/2023 Teachers of the Year
Roseville Community Schools is proud to announce three exceptional educators as the 2022-2023 Outstanding Teachers of the Year. Karen DeMers (Elementary), Evan Leuenberger (Middle School), and Dan Chesher (High School) were selected as this year’s recipients.
Karen DeMers has been teaching in the Roseville Community Schools district for 27 years. She started her teaching career in 1996 in the English department at Roseville High School, teaching the newspaper class and serving as yearbook advisor. In 2001, she made the switch to elementary education, teaching in a job share at Kaiser Elementary for ten years. She then made her move to Steenland Elementary, teaching first grade for several years before taking one of the district’s Instructional Coach positions. She currently splits her school day teaching third grade ELA in the morning at Steenland and serving as an Instructional Coach in the afternoons at both Steenland and Fountain Elementary. Steenland Elementary Principal Charles Felker said that DeMers loves the profession of teaching and truly wants the best for her students. “Mrs. DeMers has a unique blend of quirky personality, classroom presence, and attention to detail that keeps her students engaged and participating. She is quick to smile and encourages her students to have fun with the third-grade content. She is tech savvy and uses multiple media and traditional resources to keep her lessons interesting and current for her students.”
Evan Leuenberger is in his sixth year of teaching. He got his start at Bradford Academy in Southfield, teaching character education, U.S. history, and world history at both the middle school and high school levels before being hired by Roseville. Since he started at Eastland Middle School four years ago, he has taught a variety of social studies courses to sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students. He currently teaches sixth grade social studies, which focuses on geography, and Exploring Careers for eighth graders. He also helps students after school through tutoring and classroom catchup, as well as sponsoring a video game club twice a month. EMS Principal Robert Beato said that Leuenberger’s dedication and expertise is beyond compare. “All of Mr. Leuenberger’s students love being in his social studies classes. He is a powerful motivator for students and due to his attentiveness to them, his students love and respect him.”
Dan Chesher has been teaching at Roseville High School for 22 years. He has been the school’s band director during his entire tenure, teaching Cadet Band, Varsity Band, Symphonic Band, and Jazz Band, as well as the extra-curricular Marching Band and Jazz Ensemble. RHS Principal Jason Bettin said as a teacher of a unique, skill-based class, Mr. Chesher regularly differentiates his instruction in his classroom. “He ensures that all students in his class succeed by creating a classroom culture where students take ownership of their learning. Students in his bands are motivated and proud of themselves and their accomplishments.” Bettin added that, in addition to the on-stage and on-the-field performances, Chesher helps lead the charge in building a positive school environment. “He involves his bands in many school activities that support a positive school environment and takes an active role as a leader in the building to help build a culture that recognizes and celebrates student success.”
RCS Outstanding Teacher of the Year candidates are nominated by peers, administrators, students, family members, or community members. Each candidate must have a minimum of three completed questionnaires to be considered. A review committee, which is made up of principals from all levels and the assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, meets to choose two candidates from each level to present to the superintendent for final review, with the superintendent making the final choices. Superintendent Mark Blaszkowski said the 2023 Teachers of the Year are deserving of this honor. “Each year, we honor three teachers who exemplify excellence both inside and outside of the classroom, and this year is no exception. Mrs. DeMers, Mr. Leuenberger, and Mr. Chesher are enthusiastic, motivating educators, and our district is lucky to have them.” All three district Outstanding Teacher of the Year winners will be honored at the MISD’s Outstanding Teacher of the Year Awards Banquet on April 20, 2023.
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