Jennifer Senkmajer, a fourth grade teacher at Yale Elementary School in Yale Public Schools, is one of ten Michigan educators named 2023-24 Regional Teacher of the Year by the Michigan Department of Education.
Currently, Senkmajer teaches at Yale Elementary School, where she has been employed for five years. She teaches all subjects in her fourth-grade classroom, as well as serving on the Academic Initiatives Committee and as a teacher-mentor. Senkmajer also taught at the middle school level, teaching 6th grade math, ELA, and math intervention.
She is also involved in St. Clair County RESA’s Leadership Academy. Teaching for over 18 years, and a consultant of 15 years, she found great success in helping teachers meet the needs of their students.
As a Regional Teacher of the Year, Senkmajer will also be a finalist for 2023-24 Michigan Teacher of the Year. The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) organizes the Teacher of the Year program to honor and elevate teacher voice. Honorees will have the opportunity to share their experiences and knowledge as they work with stakeholders to strengthen Michigan’s public schools for students and educators.
The regional teachers were selected following a multi-part, competitive application process that began with being nominated for Michigan Teacher of the Year. The nominations were submitted by students, staff, and community members from across the state. The 2023-24 honorees were chosen for their dedication to the teaching profession, as evidenced by their commitment to their students and track record of service in the teaching profession.
The next step in the process is for each regional teacher to interview with a panel of statewide education stakeholders, with one individual selected as the 2023-24 Michigan Teacher of the Year.
The state’s teacher of the year has a seat at the State Board of Education table as a non-voting member; attends several national conferences with fellow state teachers of the year from other U.S. states and territories, representing the experiences of Michigan’s teachers and students; and will be Michigan’s candidate for National Teacher of the Year.
