February 28, 2025

PTAs Celebrate Founders Day Together

Floral centerpiece featuring signs for National PTA and Berkley Schools, surrounded by pink flowers and white baby's breath.

On Tuesday, February 25, at Club Venetian in Madison Heights, hundreds of people gathered to celebrate the annual Berkley Area PTSA Council Founders Day.

Founders Day celebrates the founding of the PTA and the outstanding Berkley PTA members, teachers and staff persons of the year. The event included recognition for each PTA member, staff and teacher of the year, messages from Michigan PTA President-Elect Jenna McMechan, Berkley Schools Superintendent Scott Francis and Berkley Area PTSA Council President Caitlyn Thrasher. Vince Gigliotti, Angell Principal, shared wonderful details about each honoree during the evening.

Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees!

Educators of the Year

Laura Russell, Science Teacher, Anderson Middle School

Melissa Watkins, Kindergarten, Angell Elementary School

Robyn Weiss, Counselor, Berkley High School

Dorota Jakuc, Visual Arts Teacher, Burton Elementary School

Danielle Crowder, 5th Grade Teacher, Norup International - Elementary

Robert Smith, Math Teacher, Norup International School - Middle

Stacey McConnell, Kindergarten Teacher, Pattengill Elementary School

Sarah Berry, Transitional Kindergarten Teacher, Rogers Elementary School

Support Staff of the Year

Howard Sherman, Paraeducator, Anderson Middle School