Meet your Michigan State Farm® Teacher Assist winners.
A $2,500 grant will bring each of their ideas to life.

Teaching during a pandemic poses many challenges. Teachers are adapting their methods to meet those challenges in unique and creative ways. State Farm Teacher Assist program grants will help 40 teachers across Michigan boost their efforts. Each of their schools will receive $2,500 to implement their innovative ideas - a total of $100,000 to Michigan classrooms.
Supporting teachers and schools helps the entire community. It recognizes education as a public good and helps address the societal impacts of COVID at the local level.
“As a company, we have a long history of working with teachers, educators, and students across the country. We are heartened by the immense response received from teachers sharing their solutions to overcoming challenges,” said Annette Martinez, State Farm Senior Vice President. “Congratulations to the winners. We are proud to support you and help you reach your goals!”
Soon, the winning teachers' stories will be shared here. Their passion to help students inspires us. We hope to foster a community and be a resource for teachers across the country.
Michigan State Farm® Teacher Assist Grant Winners | ||
Teacher Name | School | City |
Lisa Piontek | Clarenceville School District | Livonia |
Eileen Kline | Ludington Area School District | Ludington |
Kate Pearson | Allen Park High School | Allen Park |
Nahed Bizzari | Melvindale HS | Dearborn |
Mary Melaragno and Andrea Stevens | Mount Pleasant Public Schools | Mount Pleasant |
Dave Scalf | North Branch Area Schools | North Branch |
Audrie Spicer | Pied Piper School | Alpena |
Corey Rosser | North Branch Area Schools | North Branch |
Dana Hatfield | Chippewa Hills School District | Weidman |
Teresa Eriksen | Ludington Area School District | Ludington |
Amy Stringham | Central High School | Grand Haven |
Daniall Poulsen | Portage Northern High School | Vicksburg |
Stephanie Preston | Cheboygan Area Schools | Cheboygan |
Adam Burns | Troy Athens High School | Troy |
Andrea Gabbard | Roseville HS | Roseville |
Janet Sutherland | Plymouth-Canton Comm Schools | Canton |
Denis Koegel | Whitehall High School | Whitehall |
Heather Graef | Carlson Elementary | Warren |
Melanie Motto | Thomas A Edison Elementary | Fraser |
Kelly Born | Beaverton Schools | Beaverton |
Erin Romel | Battle Creek Central | Battle Creek |
Sharon Parsons | Father Marquette Catholic Academy | Marquette |
Amy LaPonsie | 12th Street Elementary School | Portage |
Michelle LaRowe | Goodrich Middle School | Goodrich |
Izaak Kramer | TCAPS | Traverse City |
Tina Samson | List Elementary | Frankenmuth |
Casandra Melville | Allen Park Public Schools | Allen Park |
Sheila Dokter | Rose Park Christian/Holland Christian | Holland |
Tara Lax | Patrick Henry Middle School | Woodhaven |
Ann Murray | Havel Elementary Utica Community Schools | Clinton Township |
Nicole Grashik | L'Anse Creuse Early Childhood Center | Chesterfield |
Ryan Ledlow | Portage Northern High School | Portage |
Zeinab Al Saad | Snow Elementary/Dearborn | Dearborn |
Kelly Frank | Iosco RESA | Tawas City |
Carl Lowe | Wayne Westland Community Schools | Westland |
Amanda Roth | Riverside Elementary School | Battle Creek |
Patrick McKerr | Kentwood Public Schools | Grand Rapids |
Todd Babiasz | Grand Blanc Community Schools | Grand Blanc |
Amy Farkas | Seitz Middle School | Riverview |
Katie Kautzman | Morton Elementary School | Marysville |