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Michigan Teacher of the Year Corey Rosser of Quest High School celebrates top state honor, spotlighting alternative education success in Lapeer County.
Celebrating Michigan Education Excellence with Corey Rosser
LAPEER COUNTY, Mich. — Corey Rosser, a veteran social studies teacher at Quest High School in the North Branch Area Schools, has been named the 2025-26 Michigan Teacher of the Year, bringing well-earned attention to alternative education in Michigan.
The surprise announcement came during Teacher Appreciation Week, with State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice visiting the Lapeer County alternative high school to deliver the news. Rosser, initially told he was being recognized as a Regional Teacher of the Year, was met with applause from students, staff, and family when the top honor was revealed.
“I think you could throw a pebble down our hallway and probably find a teacher more deserving than me,” Rosser humbly told the crowd. “This is all about a culmination of what our students have been working toward.”
Michigan Teacher of the Year Award Honors Connection and Advocacy
Since 1952, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has selected one teacher annually to represent the voice of Michigan educators. This is not just about recognizing a top educator; it’s about advocacy. As Michigan Teacher of the Year, Rosser will hold a non-voting seat on the State Board of Education and participate in the Governor’s Educator Advisory Council.
Rosser’s selection followed a rigorous process, starting with 500 nominations last fall. After making the top 10 as a Regional Teacher of the Year, he advanced through interviews, presentations, and stakeholder reviews. This announcement underscores Michigan’s push to elevate teacher voices on education policy.
North Branch’s Quest High School Shines in Statewide Spotlight
Quest High School, where Rosser has worked since its opening in 2004, serves around 40 students, many of whom have struggled in traditional classrooms. Superintendent Jim Fish called Rosser “incredibly gifted at connecting with students,” adding that his work has been key to the success of the Quest program.
Principal Doug Lindsay praised Rosser’s one-on-one approach. “His approach of truly getting to know them on an individual basis, understanding their goals and the challenges they have faced, is crucial to the program,” Lindsay said.
With more than 580 graduates over two decades, Quest High School stands as a model of alternative education success in Michigan.
Elevating Michigan Teachers Through Statewide Leadership
Rosser joins the Michigan Teacher Leadership Advisory Council alongside nine other Regional Teachers of the Year. Together, they will work with the MDE to tackle statewide education issues and ensure classroom perspectives shape policy.
The MDE program, supported by the Meemic Foundation, not only recognizes outstanding teachers but equips them to advocate for their peers. Rosser also becomes Michigan’s candidate for the 2025 National Teacher of the Year.
A Career Rooted in Michigan Classrooms
A graduate of Central Michigan University with a master’s from Marygrove College, Rosser has dedicated his career to Michigan students. Beyond his work at Quest, he has taught summer school in traditional settings for over 20 years and provided virtual instruction across North Branch schools.
Rosser’s recognition places Michigan’s alternative education programs in the spotlight at a time when districts are increasingly seeking solutions for students who don’t thrive in conventional settings.
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