A2Y Chamber Event: Early Edition - May 2026

Event Sponsors

A Celebration of Teachers and the Teaching Profession in Washtenaw County

Featured Speaker: Dr. Rose Bellanca, President, Washtenaw Community College

The Teacher of the Year Program recognizes the great contribution teachers make in Washtenaw County and to the learning community. This award recognizes and honors teacher excellence. It does not attempt to select the "best" teacher; rather, to identify, from among many outstanding teachers, one teacher to serve as a visible and vocal representative of what is best in the profession.
The LaFontaine Family wishes to honor the amazing teachers within Washtenaw County and recognize them for the hard work and efforts they put in every single school year.

Winners of the A2Y Chamber Presents the 2026 LaFontaine Teacher of the Year Awards

The A2Y Chamber Presents the 2026 LaFontaine Teacher of the Year winner James Barnes, Wylie Elementary School, Dexter Community Schools

The A2Y Chamber Presents the 2026 LaFontaine Distinguished Teacher of the Year winner, Janet Rickle, Childs Elementary School, Lincoln Consolidated Schools

The A2Y Chamber Presents the 2026 LaFontaine Commendable Teacher of the Year winner, Elizabeth Caron, Luther C. Klager Elementary School, Manchester Community Schools

The A2Y Chamber Early Edition breakfast's interactive format brings the business and community leaders together to learn about industry leaders and issues facing the Ann Arbor & Ypsilanti community. Early Edition will be held the 3rd Wednesday of each of month at Weber's Boutique Hotel & Restaurant.