Honor Credit Union Announces Winners of 2025 Annual Teacher Awards

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 

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 

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 they serve are the driving forces behind Honor Credit Union. For more information, call 800.442.2800, or visit www.honorcu.com.