Kindergarten teacher named Novi school district’s Educator of the Year

NOVI — Heather Stewart, a kindergarten teacher at Deerfield Elementary School in Novi, was named the Novi Community School District Educator of the Year March 18.

At 11 a.m., Stewart was teaching her kindergarten class when her classroom was suddenly filled with family, friends, colleagues and school officials who surprised her with the award.

“Everything that comes across in your nomination is that you show up every single day with a positive attitude for not only your students, but for your colleagues, and you hold your students responsible because you want the best for them, and they see the most growth in your students,” Sue Collins-Schroeder, the executive director of the Novi Educational Foundation, said as she presented Stewart with the award. “Supposedly, they are the best-behaved classes going forward, but it’s all done with so much love to make sure they are able to succeed in the future.”

Following the presentation, the kids were instructed to put on their coats to go outside for another surprise for their teacher. Just outside the front entrance of the school, a brand-new 2024 white Chevrolet Equinox was waiting for Stewart with a bright red bow on its hood.

“You got a new car!” the kids screamed with delight in unison as they came outside.

“Do you think we’ll all fit in it?” Stewart asked her students with a laugh.

“Yes,” they said.

“Think we should try?” she asked them.

“Yeah,” they said to everyone’s delight as laughter erupted.

The car, with a two-year lease, was presented to Stewart by Marla Feldman, the vice president of Feldman Automotive in Novi, which has sponsored a car for a Novi educator for the last two years.

“Each story is a great story, and people work so hard doing the right thing for our kids. Our teachers do, and so when you find that special teacher that you want to reward for everything that they’ve done for the kids, I think that’s what keeps us doing it,” Feldman said.

She said they select a car that is a good family vehicle, that is easy to drive and good for Michigan roads. Feldman said she really enjoys the event because she gets to see the smile on the teacher’s face, the excitement of the kids and just knowing that she made someone’s day.

“This is amazing. Thank you so much,” said Stewart.

Stewart was given the rest of the day off to sign the two-year lease for the car and enjoy some personal time.

Stewart has been teaching in the district for 23 years, of which 22 have been as a kindergarten teacher. She said she did one year as a first and second grade teacher and then promptly returned to kindergarten, as that is where her passion lies.

“I love the 5-year-olds. They are just so excited to learn. They are excited when they come in every day, and they love everything we do, and so it’s just fun to be a part of that and not have the older kids moaning and groaning,” Stewart said.

“Heather Stewart epitomizes what it’s like to be a teacher,” said teacher Danny Taylor, who  nominated her for the award. “The reason I’m a teacher is because I had a teacher that loved me, that made me feel safe, that made me feel heard, and made me love coming to school. And I think Heather Stewart does that every single day on a daily and consistent basis.”

Taylor, who teaches physical education, said he has been working with Stewart for 10 years and that every year her students are the most well adjusted, best behaved, and the most with it. He said he can attribute that to the precedent Stewart sets in the classroom.

“She has a high standard. She treats everybody fairly and with respect. She’s stern, but she’s also so loving,” Taylor said. “I think that’s a big part of why they are so good in her class and so good for the specials teachers.”

Taylor said he was so excited when he found out that Stewart had won a car for two years. He said that he knows the car will help out Stewart and her family tremendously, as they have four drivers in the house and can definitely use an extra vehicle.

“Nobody deserves it more,” he said.

Stewart said her older son will be very excited, as he will now have a car too. She said they will be able to pass one of their current cars down to him.

In order to receive the award, Stewart had to not only be nominated by a member of the district staff, but also a student or the student’s family. Stewart was nominated for the award by the Galas family. Stewart has taught three of their five children, one of whom, Joseph, is currently in her class, and Stewart helped the family greatly when their oldest child was dying.   

Lisa Galas said that during that time, Stewart took care of their middle child, Michael, who was a student in her class. Galas said Stewart sent her updates on how Michael was doing with pictures every day. She said that Stewart also had the kids write cards for her dying daughter, and following her daughter’s passing, Stewart came by their house with gifts and offered support. Stewart also attended the memorial service and kept Galas’ children entertained and happy so that the parents could talk to other guests and family.

“She gave Michael a book about angels and grieving and what happens after we go,” Galas said. “So that really helped him to associate the weather with his sister, and so she was a big part of allowing him to (come to terms with the loss of his sister).”

Michael, who is now a second grader, told the Novi Note that the snow that was falling down as the award was presented meant that his sister was having a pillow fight, according to the book that Stewart got him. His older sister, Claire, who is in eighth grade, recalled that Stewart had also given her a book about becoming a big sister just prior to Michael’s birth.

“She is a really great person. I’m really happy for her,” Lisa Galas said.

“She’s wonderful. I can’t really find the words to do her justice. She’s just such a kind and compassionate person, and it just comes through in everything that she does. I just feel that we’re very fortunate — all of Novi’s very fortunate to have her as an example to the young kids coming to school and growing up. I just can’t say enough about her,” said James Galas.

Stewart advises other teachers to just be there for the kids.

“It’s more than academics,” she said. “When you have a bond, a relationship with them and that culture develops, then you can teach them anything.”

Stewart was selected from the winners for each grade level — elementary, middle and high school — and additional staff.