From elementary school through adult education, five Dearborn Public School staff were honored with Alberta Muirhead Teacher of the Year Students’ Choice Awards on April 29, 2026.
The Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce again organized the awards, which were announced during a ceremony at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center. LaFontaine Automotive Group was the presenting sponsor, and hundreds of district staff, students, and parents attended the afternoon ceremony.
“Behind every successful student is a teacher who believed in them. We are honored to host this event and celebrate those who lead, inspire, and make a lasting difference,” said Kelli Vanden Bosch, president of the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce.
The 2026 honorees include:
- Sarah Kdouh from Salina Elementary in the preschool through second grade category.
- Michelle Eifert from Whitmore-Bolles Elementary in the third through fifth grade category
- Nicole Rodriguez from Stout Middle School for middle school
- David Rochemont from Dearborn High for high school
- Aretha Snadon for adult education teachers
For the 2026 awards, the Chamber of Commerce received more than 1,700 nominations for 456 teachers from across Dearborn Public Schools. The Chamber’s Education Committee, chaired by Philipp Emma, reviewed all of the nominations to select one recipient in each of the five categories. View the ceremony program for a full list of nominees and event sponsors. A video of the 2026 Teacher of the Year ceremony is available on YouTube.
Ms. Kdouh is a first grade teacher. One nominator said, “She has the most loving heart. … She makes the kids in her class feel safe, loved, important and smart.” Others praised her for sharing pictures and class information frequently with parents and constantly planning fun and engaging activities. “It’s never a dull moment in her classroom. My son comes home every day with new stories and knowledge that Ms. Kdouh teaches through genuine interest and enthusiasm,” another nominator wrote.
Ms. Eifert teaches fifth grade at Whitmore-Bolles. She was praised for creating a “class family” where students are encouraged to help each other learn difficult work and also telling students to be good role models for younger students. “She is tough but fair because she loves us,” her nominator wrote.
Ms. Rodriguez teaches science at Stout Middle School. Students praised her for her kindness, for her patience with students struggling with the lesson, and for making learning fun. “My science teacher is honestly the best part of my day because she makes everything we learn feel like a legit adventure. … She’s just one of those rare, wonderful teachers who makes you feel smart and actually excited to show up to class every morning.”
Mr. Rochemont teaches math, including AP statistics. His nominator praised him for helping students envision themselves in college, in part, by showing they could handle rigorous class work and that college can lead to a meaningful career. “Working at that level helps me picture myself doing real college coursework and makes the idea of earning a degree feel realistic instead of overwhelming,” the nomination said. “His confidence in us makes me want to rise to his expectations, stay organized, and keep aiming for a college degree,” the student added.
Ms. Snadon teaches English as a second language for adult education students. Her nominators noted how she gets to know her students so she can help them work towards their goals. “She taught me with wisdom, patience, and kindness, which is why I truly value her. … Every day is a journey for me, and I’m glad to have her at my side,” one nominator wrote. Another student noted that Ms. Snadon has helped them along the path of their dream of becoming a doctor. “Her constant encouragement and the relevance of her lessons to my professional goals have made my dream of entering the medical field feel achievable.”
Dearborn Schools Interim Superintendent Lamis Srour thanked the Chamber of Commerce for again organizing the awards.
“We are blessed in Dearborn to have great community organizations that support our schools,” Ms. Srour said. “Thank you to the Chamber for hosting this wonderful event and to the students and parents who took time to nominate staff. But also thank you to all of the wonderful teachers we have in the district – those who were honored today, those who were nominated, and even those who may be flying under the radar. We appreciate all of the hard work our teachers do every day for all of our students.”
