BERRIEN SPRINGS, MICHIGAN – October 14, 2026 – Honor Credit Union is proud to announce the recipients of its 2026 Annual Teacher Awards, marking 17 years of celebrating exceptional educators. This year, Honor recognized 40 teachers from its 27 branch communities across Michigan, awarding each a $500 digital gift card to enhance their classrooms, for a combined total of $20,000 invested in local education.
Honor’s Annual Teacher Awards program reflects the financial institution’s ongoing dedication to educational excellence and community impact. Originally founded as Berrien Teachers Credit Union more than nine decades ago, Honor remains deeply committed to supporting educators and shining a light on the vital role they play in shaping the future of their students and communities.
“I am truly grateful and appreciate Honor’s generous support in creating an exciting classroom environment for my students,” said Jo Schau, 6th Grade Science Teacher at Lakeshore Middle School and 2026 Teacher Award recipient. “The award will help me pursue above-and-beyond opportunities for my students to be academically successful and welcomed. I am honored to have been selected. Thank you for embracing the community and supporting student and teacher achievement.”
Honor Credit Union congratulates all the dedicated Michigan educators recognized through the 2026 Teacher Awards program and thanks them for their passion, innovation, and commitment to helping students succeed. Through the continued support of local teachers, Honor remains committed to enriching classrooms and strengthening communities across Michigan.
The 2026 Annual Teacher Award winners are:
Saint Joseph Public Schools –
Connie Bacolor
Saint Joseph Public Schools –
Keith McLaughlin
Benton Harbor Area Schools –
Arline Wilson
Watervliet Public Schools –
Stephanie Hauch
Watervliet Public Schools –
Tonya Melton
Lakeshore Public Schools –
David Castonguay
Lakeshore Public Schools –
Jo Schau
Heritage Southwest ISD –
Stephen Botti
Niles Community Schools –
Melissa Prestine
Homeschool Cooperative, Niles –
Jennifer Berberick
Berrien Springs Public Schools –
Carmen Sherman
Buchanan Community Schools –
Dawn Van Dyke
Hartford Public Schools –
Marisol Rivas
Thornapple Kellogg Schools –
Shannon See
Godfrey-Lee Public Schools –
Katie Clark
Kenowa Hills Public Schools –
Joanna Haines
Jenison Public Schools –
Stephanie Gemmen
Mattawan Consolidated Schools –
Jennifer Bussies
Mattawan Consolidated Schools –
Amy Esterline
South Haven Public Schools –
Sarah Bopp
Kalamazoo RESA –
Katelyn Eifrid
Comstock Public Schools –
Kayleigh Schneider
Portage Public Schools –
Rebecca Corbin
Comstock Public Schools –
Elizabeth Kimmer
Hastings Area Schools –
Morgan Chavez-VanBemden
Hopkins Public Schools –
Vicki Pulaski
Decatur Public Schools –
Madison McKee
Harper Creek Community Schools –
Miranda Heffron
Harper Creek Community Schools –
Jamie Whitmore
Battle Creek Public Schools –
Salena Middaugh
Climax-Scotts Community Schools –
Dustin Himebauch
Jonesville Community Schools –
Michelle VandyBogurt
Pansophia Academy –
Cierra Becker
Negaunee Public Schools –
Carlee Yon
NICE Community Schools –
Juliana Patselas
Gwinn Area Community Schools –
Daniela Eagle
NICE Community Schools/Aspen Ridge Elementary – Janet Kuopus
ABOUT HONOR CREDIT UNION
Honor Credit Union is a not-for-profit, full-service financial institution serving more than 100,000 members in 27 branch communities throughout western and northern Michigan. Providing solutions for financial success and giving back to the communities it serves remain the driving forces behind Honor Credit Union. For more information, call 800.442.2800 or visit honorcu.com.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Jen Wagner
Community Relations Manager
jwagner@honorcu.com
800.442.2800 ext. 9509