Utica Community Schools celebrated its three Teachers of the Year for their service and commitment April 2, including Michael Sekich, the Stevenson High School band teacher, who was also named the Macomb County High School Teacher of the Year.
By: Kara Szymanski | Shelby-Utica News | Published April 22, 2024
SHELBY TOWNSHIP/UTICA/STERLING HEIGHTS — Utica Community Schools celebrated its Teachers of the Year April 2 for their service and commitment, including Michael Sekich, Stevenson High School band teacher, who won the titles of UCS High School Teacher of the Year, UCS Teacher of the Year and Macomb County High School Teacher of the Year.
Sekich is a graduate of Stevenson High School, has taught band in the district for 34 years, and his children graduated from the district.
His bands have participated in numerous community events, including the Romeo Peach Festival, America’s Thanksgiving Parade and the Sterling Heights Memorial Day Parade.
He has served as the music department chair for Utica Community Schools and on the executive board of the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association.
Sekich’s students consistently win honors at music festivals and as all-state jazz and marching band honorees, and they participate in ensembles from the local to national levels.
Sekich was honored as Michigan’s representative in School Band and Orchestra magazine’s “50 directors who make a difference.”
According to his biography, he is proud that he still plays trumpet daily.
Utica Community Schools Superintendent Robert Monroe said Sekich has been a leader in his many roles in Utica Community Schools as a student, parent and music teacher.
“He has been a positive influence on countless generations of musicians and future teachers, and he is a true representative of the legacy of excellence that is the fabric of Utica Community Schools,” Monroe said.
Sekich said that the program’s success is due to the students.
“It is all about the students and what they do together that makes this program so successful. That is the whole purpose of why I am here. My goal as an educator has always been to create a safe, family-like environment where learning can take place,” he said.
He said that with a family-like classroom, students can trust each other, develop their skills and take risks.
“Our program has been defined by excellence by public performances, competitions and making the proper adjustments to assure all students are aware of the next goal as an ensemble,” he said.
At the junior high level, Derek Smith, who teaches ancient history and AP Human Geography at Shelby Junior High School, was the UCS Junior High School Teacher of the Year.
Smith is said to make the subject matter interesting and engaging for students, plus he is the school’s athletic director and coordinates multiple charity drives at the school.
Art teacher Karen Borbolla, of Morgan Elementary School, is the UCS Elementary Teacher of the Year.
Borbolla is a former UCS student, a department chair and a parent. Comments about Borbolla that the district included in a press release describe her as a great artist and a kind and loving teacher.
All three teachers received $500 mini grants from the UCS Foundation.