Honor Credit Union has announced the recipients of its 2025 Annual Teacher Awards, marking 16 years of recognizing and supporting exceptional educators. This year, Honor recognized 40 teachers from its 28 branch communities in Michigan, awarding each a $500 digital gift card to enhance their classrooms, for a combined total of $20,000 invested in local education.
Originally founded as Berrien Teachers Credit Union 91 years ago, Honor remains deeply committed to giving back and celebrating the invaluable role teachers play in shaping their students and communities.
“I was truly honored and pleasantly surprised to receive this award,” said 2025 Teacher Award winner Matthew Orsillo, Band Director at Buchanan Community Schools. “This support means so much, and it will go a long way toward helping me purchase the tools and resources my students need to learn, grow, and succeed in the classroom.”
Honor Credit Union congratulates all the dedicated Michigan educators recognized this year and thanks them for their passion, creativity, and lasting impact in the classroom and beyond.
The 2025 Annual Teacher Award winners are:
Bridgman Public Schools – Jillian Klunder
Allegan Area ESA – Kris McGorman
Battle Creek Christian Early Learning Center – Allyssa Green
Battle Creek Public Schools – Ashley Gilland
Battle Creek Public Schools – Kimberly Harper
Benton Harbor Middle School – Elena Rockette
Berrien Springs Public Schools – Wendy Badeau
Buchanan Community Schools – Matthew Orsillo
Choice Schools – Heather Stob
Coloma Community Schools – Brittany Brethauer
Dowagiac Union Schools – Crystal Henninger-Olmstead
Grand Rapids Public Schools – Sarah Drier
Gwinn Area Community Schools – Caitlin Fahey
Gwinn Area Community Schools – Meghan Soucy
Harper Creek Community School – Holly Morris
Hudsonville Public Schools – Katelyn Hallenbeck
Kalamazoo Public Schools – Whitney Puente
Kalamazoo Public Schools – Shawna Camburn
Kalamazoo RESA/Portage Public Schools – Kerri Schaffer
Kentwood Public Schools – Lindsay Rines
Lakeshore Middle School – Chelsea Rood
Lakeview Public Schools – Ashleigh Stauffer
Marcellus Community Schools – Melissa Stuck
Marquette Area Public Schools – Mandy Dye
Mattawan High School – Jennifer Bussies
Negaunee Public Schools – Chelsey Branstrom
Niles Community Schools – Emily Grontkowski
Niles Community Schools – Makenna Reeves
North Star Montessori Academy – Autumn Bates
Oakland Academy – Kasey Cole
Our Lady of the Lake – Heather Briney-Kelm
Paramount Charter Academy – Katie Haan
Saint Joseph Public Schools – Sarah Hassenger
South Haven Public Schools – Sarah Bopp
St. Joseph Public Schools – Joshua C. Doe
Union City Community Schools – Allison Thornton
Van Buren ISD – Kate Ott
Wayland Union Schools – Brittney VanLuyn
YMCA Niles – Donna Dodge
