Saginaw Intermediate School District (ISD), in partnership with the Saginaw Community Foundation and the Mridha Foundation, is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Saginaw County Teachers of the Year Awards, featuring an expanded recognition structure beginning this year.
New in 2026, four Teachers of the Year are being recognized across grade-level categories: Preschool, Elementary, Middle School, and High School, with one of those honorees to be selected as the overall Saginaw County Teacher of the Year, known as the Mridha Foundation Teacher of the Year.
Following a selection committee review on April 21, 2026, the following educators have been named category winners:
Preschool (Pre-K): Courtney Blessing, North Elementary School, Birch Run Area Schools
Elementary: Jodi Tack, K. C. Ling Elementary School, Hemlock Public School District
Middle School: Tristen Siler, Hemlock Middle School, Hemlock Public School District
High School: Matthew Berchert, Saginaw Career Complex, Saginaw Public Schools
“These four educators exemplify what it means to lead through service and to create meaningful opportunities for students each and every day,” said Dr. Jeffrey Collier, Superintendent of Saginaw ISD. “Across Saginaw County, we continue to see the powerful impact of educators who go beyond daily instruction to shape the experiences, growth, and futures of their students. Their recognition as award nominees reflects not only their individual dedication, but also the collective commitment to excellence that defines our schools and strengthens our entire community.”
The four honorees were selected from nominations submitted across Saginaw County’s 12 public school districts. Since 2010, this program has celebrated excellence in teaching and highlighted the meaningful connections educators build with students.
All four recipients will be honored during a special recognition event on May 6, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at Saginaw ISD’s Unity Hall. During the event, one of the four category winners will be announced as the Mridha Foundation Teacher of the Year, an honor that includes a $1,000 grant to support continuing education, professional development, educational research, or other educational purposes.
Established in 2001, the Mridha Foundation is dedicated to recognizing individuals who exemplify service, leadership, and a commitment to improving the lives of others through their work. The selected recipient will also be celebrated as part of the Saginaw Community Foundation’s 2026 Annual Celebration at Saginaw Valley State University in September.
The recognized nominees are invited to attend the celebration with their families, and nominators, principals, and superintendents are encouraged to join in recognizing these exceptional educators.
Saginaw ISD is honored to facilitate this tradition while expanding opportunities to recognize outstanding educators across the county, and looks forward to the continued growth of this program in the years ahead.
ABOUT SAGINAW INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Saginaw Intermediate School District (ISD) is an educational service agency that provides effective and innovative leadership, services, resources, and programs throughout Saginaw County. Saginaw ISD provides career and technical education, early childhood, finance, human resources, instruction, pupil accounting, special education, technology, and transportation services. In addition, Saginaw ISD operates multiple educational programs to meet the unique needs of students ages birth to 26 across Saginaw County, including: Hartley Outdoor Education Center, Head Start/Early Head Start and Great Start to Readiness Programs, Great Lakes Bay Early College, Saginaw County Juvenile Detention Center School, and Special Education Center Programs.
Saginaw ISD serves 12 local school districts, four public school academies, and 22 non-public schools, with a total enrollment of approximately 26,000 students. Public school districts supported include: Birch Run Area Schools, Bridgeport-Spaulding Community School District, Carrollton Public Schools, Chesaning Union Schools, Frankenmuth School District, Freeland Community School District, Hemlock Public School District, Merrill Community Schools, Saginaw Public School District, Saginaw Township Community Schools, St. Charles Community Schools, and Swan Valley School District.
MEDIA CONTACT
Coty Kuschinsky - Saginaw ISD Chief of Staff and Communications Director