The Top Teachers pose with the 2025 Teacher of the Year, Teresa Nagy, for a group photo at Jackson Magazine’s Top Teachers event on May 6. Top Row (L-R): Joy Johnson, Sara Drushal, Ramie Bivens, Dede Rush, Dakota Bahlau. Bottom Row (L-R): Jennifer Taylor, Kristin Teal, Teresa Nagy, Lauren Sager (Photo: Jackson Magazine)
(May 7, 2025 11:22 AM ET) Ten extraordinary educators were celebrated last evening at Forty Nine South during Jackson Magazine’s 2025 Top Teachers Awards event. The annual celebration welcomed approximately 145 attendees, including community members, sponsors, and finalists, to recognize educators whose dedication and impact inspire the next generation.
Operations Director Jennie M. Cronkhite kicked off the event by expressing sincere gratitude to our generous sponsors:
- True Community Credit Union – Presenting Sponsor
- Spring Arbor University – Presenting Sponsor
- Stowe Insurance Agency – Presenting Sponsor
- Jackson Area Career Center – Supporting Sponsor
Special acknowledgments were also given to our community partners: AG Chocolates, Forty Nine South, I’ve Been Framed!, Jackson Rental Center, LTi Printing, and the Top Teachers Committee Members.
Thanks to the collaboration with the Jackson Community Foundation (JCF), the Hurst Foundation, and the Patricia Stinson Trosin Endowment Fund at JCF, awards were bestowed to honor the remarkable achievements of each honoree. The Teacher of the Year was awarded $5,000, while the other top four teachers received $1,000 grants to enhance their classrooms and professional growth. All ten honorees were celebrated for their inspirational contributions to education and their lasting impact on both students and the community.
THE 2025 TOP TEACHERS ARE:
Teacher of the Year
- Teresa Nagy, Western School District
Top Teachers
- Dakota Bahlau, Grass Lake Community Schools
- Ramie Bivens, Northwest Community Schools
- Courtney Byers, Grass Lake Community Schools*
- Sara Drushal, Jackson Area Catholic Schools
- Joy Johnson, Vandercook Lake Public Schools
- Dede Rush, Northwest Community Schools
- Lauren Sager, Jackson Area Career Center*
- Jennifer Taylor, Grass Lake Community Schools*
- Kristin Teal, Northwest Community Schools*
*Denotes a Top Teacher grant recipient
These educators epitomize excellence in teaching, fostering a culture of learning and growth that inspires students to achieve their fullest potential. Their stories and achievements are highlighted in the May 2025 issue of Jackson Magazine, available now at JacksonMagazine.com.
Joe DeBoe & Dawn Cuddie, Grass Lake Traffic Jam’in
62°F
