BERRIEN SPRINGS, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 – Honor Credit Union is proud to announce 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 | Lakeshore Middle School – Chelsea Rood |
Allegan Area ESA – Kris McGorman | Lakeview Public Schools – Ashleigh Stauffer |
Battle Creek Christian Early Learning Center – Allyssa Green | Marcellus Community Schools – Melissa Stuck |
Battle Creek Public Schools – Ashley Gilland | Marquette Area Public Schools – Mandy Dye |
Battle Creek Public Schools – Kimberly Harper | Mattawan High School – Jennifer Bussies |
Benton Harbor Middle School – Elena Rockette | Negaunee Public Schools – Chelsey Branstrom |
Berrien Springs Public Schools – Wendy Badeau | Niles Community Schools – Emily Grontkowski |
Buchanan Community Schools – Matthew Orsillo | Niles Community Schools – Makenna Reeves |
Choice Schools – Heather Stob | North Star Montessori Academy – Autumn Bates |
Coloma Community Schools – Brittany Brethauer | Oakland Academy – Kasey Cole |
Dowagiac Union Schools – Crystal Henninger-Olmstead | Our Lady of the Lake – Heather Briney-Kelm |
Grand Rapids Public Schools – Sarah Drier | Paramount Charter Academy – Katie Haan |
Gwinn Area Community Schools – Caitlin Fahey | Saint Joseph Public Schools – Sarah Hassenger |
Gwinn Area Community Schools – Meghan Soucy | South Haven Public Schools – Sarah Bopp |
Harper Creek Community School – Holly Morris | St. Joseph Public Schools – Joshua C. Doe |
Hudsonville Public Schools – Katelyn Hallenbeck | Union City Community Schools – Allison Thornton |
Kalamazoo Public Schools – Whitney Puente | Van Buren ISD – Kate Ott |
Kalamazoo Public Schools – Shawna Camburn | Wayland Union Schools – Britteny VanLuyn |
Kalamazoo RESA/Portage Public Schools – Kerri Schaffer | YMCA Niles – Donna Dodge |
Kentwood Public Schools – Lindsay Rines | Zeeland Public Schools – Emily Dafoe |
ABOUT HONOR CREDIT UNION
Honor Credit Union is a not-for-profit, full-service financial institution serving over 110,000 members in 28 branch locations throughout western and northern Michigan. Providing solutions for financial success and giving back to the communities we serve remain the driving forces behind Honor Credit Union. For more information, call 800.442.2800 or visit www.honorcu.com.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Jen Wagner
Community Relations Manager
jwagner@honorcu.com
800.442.2800 ext. 9509