Honor Credit Union Gives $20,000 to Michigan Educators Through 2026 Teacher Awards

Honor Credit Union Gives $20,000 to Michigan Educators Through 2026 Teacher Awards

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.