Saginaw Intermediate School District (ISD) hosted a special recognition celebration on Wednesday, May 6, honoring four outstanding educators selected as finalists in the expanded 2026 Mridha Foundation Teacher of the Year program. During the event, held at Unity Hall on Saginaw ISD’s campus, Matthew Berchert of the Saginaw Career Complex was surprised with the announcement that he had been selected as the overall 2026 Saginaw County Mridha Foundation Teacher of the Year.
New this year, the long-standing recognition program was expanded to honor educators across four grade-level categories: Preschool, Elementary, Middle School, and High School. The four finalists recognized during the celebration included:
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 and Mridha Foundation Overall Winner: Matthew Berchert, Saginaw Career Complex, Saginaw Public Schools
The finalists and overall winner were selected through a blind review process conducted by a committee consisting of Saginaw ISD staff members, organizational leadership, and county superintendents representing local public school districts across Saginaw County. Nominations were reviewed anonymously using a rubric-based evaluation process designed to ensure consistency and fairness throughout the selection process.
As the overall recipient of the Mridha Foundation Teacher of the Year distinction, Berchert will receive a $1,000 grant through a partnership between the Mridha Foundation and the Saginaw Community Foundation to support continuing education, professional development, educational research, or other educational purposes.
“This year’s expansion of the Mridha Foundation Teacher of the Year program allowed us to recognize and celebrate even more of the exceptional educators serving students across Saginaw County,” said Dr. Jeffrey Collier, Superintendent of Saginaw ISD. “Each of these finalists reflects the high level of excellence, care, and leadership that exists throughout our local districts. We are fortunate to have educators who continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of students every day, and this program gives us an opportunity to publicly celebrate the impact they have across our county.”
The event welcomed school leaders, families, nominators, and community members from across Saginaw County. Dr. Fazlul H. Mridha, founder of the Mridha Foundation, was also in attendance and shared remarks about the essential role educators play in building strong communities and a successful society.
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. Berchert will also be recognized during the Saginaw Community Foundation’s 2026 Annual Celebration at Saginaw Valley State University later this year.
Saginaw ISD is honored to continue facilitating this tradition while expanding opportunities to celebrate excellence in education throughout Saginaw County.
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