NEW HAVEN, Mich. – A Macomb County teacher is being recognized for going above and beyond to make a difference in students’ lives. Teachers of Tomorrow (ToT) has named Aryanah Conwell 2025 Michigan Teacher of the Year.
Conwell teaches STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) at New Haven Community Schools. Now she’s on track in becoming the National Teacher of the Year.
In a press release, mentor Lynn Fennell, who nominated Conwell said, “Aryanah has started the STEM program from the ground up, creating her own curriculum for developmental kindergarten to fifth grade, all while going between two elementary schools in the district.” Fennell added, “Aryanah focuses on awakening the scientist in all her students by using hands on labs often, especially empowering girls in science to keep them engaged and challenged in such an underpopulated field.”
Teachers of Tomorrow recognizes the brightest new educators through its Teacher of the Year competition. The program celebrates first-year teachers nominated by school principals and ToT field supervisors across Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. State winners receive a $500 award for classroom supplies and professional development.
“I have 850 students between two schools, and I really have tried to build that relationship with every single one of them, and foster that community within each school,” said Conwell, who also started afterschool programs such as Girls in Coding, Lego Robotics, and Underwater Robotics.
Each winner now advances as a finalist for the National Teacher of the Year competition. You can vote for Aryanah Conwell here. The winner will be announced during Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5-9) and will receive a $5,000 prize. Voting ends Friday, April 19.
Conwell says if she were to win, she would use the money to go back to school for her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction which would benefit her students and her own STEM curriculum.