Two Lamphere educators honored as Oakland County Teachers of the Year

MADISON HEIGHTS — Two teachers in the Lamphere Public Schools are among the recipients of this year’s prestigious Oakland County Teacher of the Year awards.

Leah Lynady, who teaches preschool kids and younger at Lamphere’s Early Childhood Center, is the county’s Early Childhood Education Teacher of the Year, while Sarah Vrabel, who teaches third grade at Edmonson Elementary, is the county’s Elementary School Teacher of the Year.

Each was nominated by supervisors with supporting letters from students and their families, and then chosen by the Oakland Intermediate Schools. The results were a surprise, kept secret by family and coworkers until the big reveal March 17.

“I had no idea — I was completely shocked,” Lynady said. “(Our director) was giving tours showcasing the school, and she said she loved my classroom so she’d come here. I was in a group activity with my students, melting Skittles, when I saw her walk in, and then others and the cameras, and even my mom. I was very confused by all the flowers and the big huge banner.”

Vrabel said she found out right after lunch.

“I knew the awards would happen that week, but I didn’t know if it would be me. I asked our principal if she knew, but she said she didn’t. My husband knew the Friday before, and I told him over the weekend he better tell me if he found out, but he didn’t,” Vrabel said with a laugh. “I’m so glad they kept it a secret, though, because it was just an unbelievable surprise. We were in the library doing checkouts, so it worked out nicely with a big space for all the kids and cameras.”

Lynady has been in the education field for more than 20 years, with this being her third year in the Lamphere school district. Vrabel has been teaching for 18 years, including 14 with Lamphere.

“I worked in the daycare setting when I was in my late teens and I enjoyed being around kids, so when I applied to go to college I said I’d try it out, and it just stuck,” Vrabel said. “I feel like it matches my personality, getting to create a lesson and then see the feedback. It’s very fun for me, and a creative outlet, creating fun, engaging lessons for the kids.”

She recalled how when the students returned to in-person learning after the COVID pandemic, there was discussion among staff about how to engage the kids.

“I took that to heart, because this should be fun, and it was before COVID, but we needed something extra now,” Vrabel said. “So I started researching ideas on how to make learning novel, like using ‘Pokémon’ cards for math, or dressing up like a judge and holding a court room for them to debate things, or transforming a whole room with a theme and the lesson that day goes along with it.”

This included revamping a room at Edmonson Elementary with a “Super Mario Bros” theme, complete with Peach’s Castle in one corner of the room, Bowser’s Castle in another, and even a section themed after the underwater levels from the video game.

“It was all decked out, and open to the entire school, so teachers could go in there and teach a themed lesson,” Vrabel said. “Simply being in that space creates instant engagement, but they’re still doing the learning, so maybe all the story problems that day are multiplication and division, but they use characters from (the Mario games), like Yoshi.”

Lynady also makes learning a fun experience. When reading her students books like “Don’t Let the Pigeons Stay Up Late!” and the “Elephant & Piggie” series, both by Mo Willems, she will lean into the theme with ever-changing earrings and other details.

Her classroom also has plush toys called Slumberkins. Each doll is themed around different forms of emotional support, with books to match. There’s a narwhal plush with stories about believing in yourself, for example, and a lynx doll that’s about setting boundaries and being respectful of others, as well as an otter with stories about the value of family and friends.

“I have one student who recently lost their grandma, so I read the (Slumberkins) story about coping with loss,” Lynady said. “I have an entire set of (Slumberkins). I try to make learning fun.”

This extends to teaching the preschoolers good behavior.

“Like for example, there’s a rule in the classroom about not running, and when they break it, I’m not harsh — I’ll just say, ‘Did your feet forget?’” Lynady said with a laugh. “I’ll also scaffold when it comes to doing activities with the kiddos. When one is a higher learner already writing sentences and another might still be struggling to write the letters of his name, I’ll meet them where they’re at.”

She said her support goes beyond the classroom, as well.

“I’ve created a care closet here at my school,” Lynady said. “People have donated food items, toiletry supplies like toothpaste and toothbrushes, and some clothes, as well. They’re available for anyone in need — not just in my classroom, but the entire school. I created it because I never want anyone to feel like they have to pick between buying toilet paper and paying the electric bill.”

Vrabel said the best part of teaching is seeing the progress students make over time.

“When you’re in it day to day, you don’t necessarily see it at first, but when you see those kids in fourth grade and their teacher (tells) you how amazing they’re doing, and then they’re in fifth grade and you see their scores pop up, you realize, ‘Wow, every teacher has a chance to make an impact,’ and you see it in how much the student grows over the trajectory of years,” Vrabel said.

Lynady said her favorite moments are when a concept finally clicks for the kids.

“It’s those ‘aha’ moments, like one we had today where a student was writing her name for the first time and she really grasped it now after working on it all yearlong. She was so happy and proud of herself figuring out how to do it. It’s so gratifying to see,” Lynady said. “They struggle and struggle, and then they realize they can finally do this, and you see the look (and) the pride on their face. There is honestly nothing better.”

Asked for advice for aspiring educators, both said it’s a learning process for teachers, too.

“Give yourself grace, knowing this is a profession where you’re expected to know a lot,” Vrabel said. “As an elementary teacher, I need to be able to teach my curriculum in math and reading and social studies and science, and it’s a lot to take in. But knowing you will get there, getting comfortable with each subject one by one, it all works out.”

Added Lynady: “Just enjoy it. That’s my philosophy. If you don’t have fun with it, the kids sense that and there’s no point in doing it anymore. I think it’s about building relationships with the students, and having them feel comfortable with you, so that they’re happy coming to school.”

Both teachers were very grateful for the recognition that day.

“It’s overwhelming, for sure, but it’s such an honor,” Lynady said of the award.

“It’s just an awesome feeling, just an honor,” said Vrabel. “I’m just taking it all in. This will fuel me for the next five years — it will motivate me.”