Cloud Hosting

SCHOOLCRAFT, MI -- The top teacher in Southwest Michigan believes students should learn skills like budgeting and investing at school.

Dustin Sayers, a middle school social studies teacher at Schoolcraft Junior-Senior High School and one of Michigans regional teachers of the year, said although he didnt plan to become a teacher, he believes it was always meant to be.

Teaching makes me feel like Im doing something worthwhile, Sayers said. There is nothing more fulfilling than helping those who struggle to achieve. Thats what I enjoy.

I never planned on being a teacher, but I was always meant to be one, he said.

The Albion College graduate said he was admitted to Wayne State Law School with plans to become an attorney. But, during a gap year, Sayers worked as as a tutor for Lutheran Social Services of Michigan.

Sayers taught English to Burmese refugee students in the foster system and discovered his love for teaching.

Being the 2022-23 Region 7 Teacher of the year is extremely exciting. Sayers said. It provides a great sense of validation for my choice to switch professions over a decade ago.

With that said, I dont think I am any better than any of my colleagues that I work with, he said. I am just a small part of an awesome team that continually goes the extra mile for students.

Sayers joins nine other teachers in the running for the 2022-23 Michigan Teacher of the Year award. The group was chosen by the Michigan Department of Education for their dedication to the teaching profession.

In a Q&A with MLive, Sayers offered his thoughts on what kids need in school, the importance of social studies and why parents should be helping their children read at home.

1. If you win Michigan teacher of the year, what issues do you see as priority to address in your role?

For me, one of the largest deficits in education has been the lack of financial literacy opportunities for students. Many students lack basic financial skills including understanding the importance of bank accounts and budgeting, as well as concepts like investing, compound interest, managing debt, and financial planning. I would like to see a statewide push for financial literacy to be taught as early as middle school with a minimum of a graduation requirement for all Michigan high schools.

Financial literacy is an equity issue. Students who possess financial literacy have a better chance at achieving financial stability by avoiding poor financial decisions and pitfalls in the first place. A new course with statewide standards could teach students how to create a budget, track spending, evaluate the benefits and risks of loans, pay off debt, and even plan for retirement all before they leave high school.

2. What is the biggest issue facing public education today? What do you see as solutions?

The biggest issue that I see is the lack of phonics and phonemic awareness being used to teach reading in our elementary schools. Research shows that somewhere between 30 to 40 percent of students will learn to read regardless of instruction method, but the remaining students require structured literacy that includes systematic phonics and vocabulary building.

By the time these students reach me in middle school, I am already playing catchup to help establish literacy skills. To me, the simple solution would be to provide elementary teachers with the training needed to teach science of reading practices.

3. What is the most important thing parents can be doing at home to help their students succeed in school?

I believe, the biggest impact that a parent can have on their childs success is to provide them with opportunities to read - even if its for ten minutes before bed. Literacy is such an important skill that transcends all subjects. Honestly, the ability to read is one of the biggest factors in success later in life.

4. In todays political climate, what do parents need to know about social studies curriculum?

At Schoolcraft, I provide students with the needed understanding of history, geography, economics, and civics to teach students to become good citizens. I dont take a political stance in the classroom because it is not my place to tell students how to think. Instead, I provide them with the skills to make up their own minds. Parents can freely check my curriculum and even view my daily assignments.

5. Why is social studies education important for students?

A well rounded social studies education includes aspects of history, geography, economics, and civics. We literally help students understand the world around them, so they can make informed decisions about issues that will affect them, especially when they are older.

6. In your role as a teacher, how do you help kids bounce back from learning loss during the pandemic?

Every district is dealing with student deficits, and Schoolcraft is no different. After I earned my master of science in data analytics, I started to truly understand differentiation. Using data mining techniques, I am able to create a custom learning environment for every student to help improve these deficits.

Luckily, I work at a district that offers our seventh and eighth grade students (an intervention) hour every day. This time has been utilized to help our students build individual skills in not only social studies, but math, science, and English as well. During this time the format and content depth that students receive varies from student to student. Students get what they need educationally, instead of a one size fits all solution.

7. Do you see the future of public education changing? I.e. moving to more virtual learning?

The nature of education is always changing. Teachers continually learn new concepts, and we try to improve our pedagogy through professional development. However, the pandemic has shown us that students, especially younger ones, need in person learning. There are social and emotional learning aspects that cannot be replicated in a virtual environment.

I respect any familys choice to be virtual if they want, but in person learning and collaboration are essential in my opinion.

Related: 10 best teachers in Michigan named finalists for teacher of the year

Sayers was chosen following a competitive application process that began with nominations from students, staff and community members, the MDE said in a press release.

The teacher chosen as the Michigan Teacher of the Year will have a seat on 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, to represent the experiences of Michigans teachers and students; and will be Michigans candidate for National Teacher of the Year, the release said.

Also on MLive:

Kalamazoo high school students will earn money learning skills in new apprenticeship program

See the Michigan public high schools with the highest and lowest graduation rates

Were diving in the water with them. How a Michigan school is boosting literacy

Read more from the original source:

Kids need financial literacy, and 6 other thoughts from Southwest Michigans teacher of the year - MLive.com