🌟 2026 Staff Appreciation Week Shout-Out 🌟
Mrs. Francis is so patient and kind! She fosters a wonderful space for every student to learn and grow and be who they were meant to be! Thank you Mrs. Francis!!
- Jamie S.
Mrs. Francis is truly a real-life gem at DA! As a developmental kindergarten teacher, she creates such a warm, nurturing, and engaging environment for her students—treating each child as if they were her own. The love, patience, and support she shows every day make a lasting impact.
My daughter has absolutely thrived this year, especially in reading and writing, and it’s a direct reflection of Mrs. Francis’s dedication and teaching style. In fact, she loves school so much that she asks to go even on the weekends!
Mrs. Francis always has a smile on her face, and her positivity and energy are truly contagious. It takes a special kind of person to shape young learners at such an important stage, and she does it with grace, enthusiasm, and heart! She's simply the best!
-Courtney B.
#OCSWildcats #WorldClassWildcats
Mrs. Mumbrue is patient and knowledgeable. She has supported Zeke so much in building his confidence in reading.
- Hannah U.
#OCSWildcats #WorldClassWildcats
🌟 2026 Staff Appreciation Week Shout-Out 🌟
I would like to take a moment to recognize Mr. Schmaltz for the incredible impact he has on his students. He’s been my son’s band teacher since 5th grade. His passion for music is evident, but what truly stands out is his genuine care and connection with the kids he teaches.
What makes Mr. Schmaltz especially remarkable is his ability to meet students where they are. He has a unique way of communicating and connecting, particularly with students who may struggle to express themselves. His patience, understanding, and willingness to adapt makes a lasting difference in their confidence and experience.
It’s clear that he is not only passionate about music, but deeply committed to his students as individuals. That kind of dedication does not go unnoticed, and it deserves to be recognized
- Leslie G.
Mr. Schmaltz, I cannot thank you enough for being such an amazing roll model and teacher. My Lucas loved every minute of band because of you. He felt included and part of something. I am so glad you inspired him to stay with band and have a great support system throughout middle school and high school.
- Jennifer G.
#OCSWildcats #WorldClassWildcats
Mike Bunting has been an incredible addition to DA. Seeing him every day at drop-off brings so much peace of mind…my kids always say “Mr. Boyd and Mr. Mike keep us safe.”
I drive by the school a lot and no matter the weather, I often see him out there walking the grounds and making sure everything is secure. He’s friendly with parents but always focused and aware of his surroundings & keeping the kids safe .
We are so thankful for him-my kids absolutely love Mr. Mike!
- Sarah N.
#OCSWildcats #WorldClassWildcats
Mr. Tom is such a fun soul for so many of our kiddos! He makes riding the bus fun and we appreciate him!
- Katy H.
#OCSWildcats #WorldClassWildcats
Happy Teacher Appreciation to Ms. Bourdeau!
Our second grader says she is so patient and nice, and he truly loves her classroom. Her kindness makes such a difference for young learners. We are so grateful for everything you do each day!
- Amelia H.
#OCSWildcats #WorldClassWildcats
I am so grateful for Mrs.Leroy for showing my daughter so much kindness. We really enjoyed this first year at DA
- Samantha D.
#OCSWildcats #WorldClassWildcats
Mrs. Don, Thank you for being such an incredible teacher! Your patience and empathy go a long way, and your ability to make learning both effective and fun truly shines. Every day is a fun and engaging learning experience. It means so much to our family—we appreciate you more than you know!
- Vanessa N.
#OCSWildcats #WorldClassWildcats
Mr. Likins truly makes an effort to learn each child’s name, what sports they play, and even their dreams for the future—making every kid feel known and valued. His reliability, patience, and genuine care for the kids make a bigger impact than most people realize.
- Katelyn B.
#OCSWildcats #WorldClassWildcats
Thank you for creating such a fun, welcoming, and safe environment where our children feel excited to learn and comfortable being themselves. That kind of classroom doesn’t happen by accident—it’s because of your patience, energy, and heart.
We especially appreciate how wonderful you are with communication. Whether it’s answering questions, providing updates, or simply keeping us in the loop, you always respond quickly and thoughtfully. It makes such a difference as a parent to feel informed and supported.
Your ability to balance structure with fun, learning with laughter, and discipline with kindness is something truly special. Our twins feel loved, encouraged, and confident in your classroom, and that means everything to us.
Thank you for going above and beyond, for pouring so much into your students, and for making this year such a positive and memorable experience. You are deeply appreciated—more than words can fully express.
- Kara S.
#OCSWildcats #WorldClassWildcats
Mrs. Bull truly goes above and beyond to make Avery feel safe, supported, and loved every single day, no matter what’s going on. Avery came home beaming, telling us, “Mrs. Bull said I’m the best mathematician in the class!” It’s those little moments, the stories she shares, and the fairness she shows that mean so much. We are incredibly grateful for the care and heart she pours into her classroom.
- Catelyn U.
#OCSWildcats #WorldClassWildcats
The 1st grade concert was absolutely incredible. The whole show was so creative, fun and engaging. All of the 1st grade parents are so impressed with Ms. Harahuc and the job she did with these kids. They were all so excited and focused in. We appreciate her keeping the arts so fun and helping the kids be so passionate about them.
- Andie R.
#OCSWildcats #WorldClassWildcats
Mrs. Paxton she’s a very dedicated teacher , who loves her classroom. My daughter , Caroline she made such a great improvement in all the fields due to her . Caroline loves her so much and she very grateful and blessed to have her ! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
- Arina O.
#OCSWildcats #WorldClassWildcats
I had the opportunity to meet Tracey during one of the new Agriprojects classes on site (Blue Shamrock Farms). It was an impromptu visit, I was finally able to put a face to a name. I learned so much from her and about her, and I must say I truly appreciate her for being such a pioneer for homeschoolers in Michigan. Her humility and encouragement were a breath of fresh air. She truly has a heart for all things OVA and just helping families with whatever they need to have the best tailored educational experience possible. There’s so much I can say about the beautiful person that she is! Everyone needs a Tracey in their lives.
- Chanel L.
#OCSWildcats #WorldClassWildcats
Ms. Kolasa is phenomenal! She has been a huge help to our pod and is great at managing multiple sites. She always has a smile on her face and willing to go an extra mile to help us out. We truly appreciate having her with our site!
- Maha
#OCSWildcats #WorldClassWildcats
Mrs. Bates is such and amazing teacher. She creates the most loving, joyful and engaging learning environment! She has made such a difference for our daughter! This year I have seen Charlotte bloom! She has become more engaged, more confident, and feels so loved and cared for at school! She has grown in her academics because Mrs. Bates has made her believe that she is capable and because she feels safe to be herself. Thank you Mrs. Bates for everything! Your legacy will live in my daughter forever and I'm forever grateful!
- Sarah W.
#OCSWildcats #WorldClassWildcats
Mrs. Collins has been our mentor teacher for a few years now and we have been so lucky to have her! She is always willing to help when we need extra support on at home work. She goes above and beyond to show her students that she cares about their success. She has been a key support person for our family to thrive with OVA.
- Adrienne H.
#OCSWildcats #WorldClassWildcats
The best way I can describe this exceptional woman is angel on earth! She is compassionate, creative, patient, intelligent and loves our son so much. Leigh Ann is a true demonstration of excellence in teaching. Our son has grown very much under her guidance and teaching. Not only that, she is extremely dedicated to our community and through the impactful work she does with her nonprofit Oxford Open Hands. Mrs. Huller makes a tremendous impact on the lives of everyone who interacts with her- without even trying. Now that is what I call an angel! We are so grateful she is part of our team.
- Jessica L.
#OCSWildcats #WorldClassWildcats
We appreciate Mr. Jerry safely taking our kids to school each and every day! He personally says hello and goodbye and remembers each child's name and greets them with a smile. He cares about their well-being and safety. He even sneaks them a treat on half days and birthdays, making them feel extra loved and special. Thanks for all your do, Mr. Jerry!
- Jamie George
#OCSWildcats #WorldClassWildcats
Dear Mrs. Tanis,
I wanted to let you know how much I’ve been enjoying your class this year. I really like how you teach because you make the lessons interesting and easy to understand, which helps me stay focused and learn better. Whether we are diving into a new story or practicing our writing, you always explain things in a way that makes sense to me. I also appreciate how patient you are when I have questions and how you make the classroom a fun place to be. Thank you for being such a great teacher and for making English a class I look forward to every day!
- Aaliyah L.
#OCSWildcats #WorldClassWildcats
