MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – A Marquette Area elementary teacher has been chosen as one of 10 outstanding Michigan educators of the year.
After 12 years of dedication to her students and her school, Superior Hills Junior Kindergarten teacher Sarah Juday has been selected as a Regional Teacher of the Year, representing the the entire Upper Peninsula.
She says with her long time passion for teaching, in ties with her love for those she sees every day, the students are what brought on the award.
“They make me smile and laugh, they keep me humble,” she said. “They’re 100% my biggest fans, and they love to learn. Junior Kindergarten has my heart.”
After being nominated by a fellow teacher last summer, Juday has undergone months of interviews and submissions to find herself in the top spot. The news has already been met with plenty of support from all around.
“Kids in the hallway are cheering or saying ‘I’m so proud of you, good job Miss Juday,’ they know it’s a big deal,” she said.
The nomination came from fourth grade teacher, Janet Anderson, who describes Juday as caring and well organized, to both her kids and their parents.
“She teaches expectations, but she also teaches in a loving and accepting manner,” she said. “I’ve heard parents talk about what an amazing teacher she is.”
Juday says the most rewarding aspect of her years of teaching is getting the chance to see where they’ve expanded to, as no one truly forgets their kindergarten teacher.
“I’ve had students who I taught in my first junior kindergarten class that are now in eighth grade reach out to me,” she explained. “It’s just so exciting to see where life takes them, and it’s exciting to be a little magical part of their life.”
In early March, all 10 award-winning teachers will interview with a statewide panel to determine the 2026-27 Michigan Educator of the Year.
