Holly Hereau

GRAND RAPIDS — The Michigan Science Teachers Association (MSTA) announced their 2019 Michigan Science Teachers of the Year, and a product of the Escanaba school system is among the award recipients.

Holly Hereau, a 1994 graduate of Escanaba High School and currently a science teacher at Lee M. Thurston High School in Redford, will be presented with the MSTA High School Science Teacher of the Year award at their March 1 conference and award ceremony in Grand Rapids. The winning Science Teachers of the Year were chosen for using or modeling best practices, inspiring their students, demonstrating innovative teaching strategies, being excellent role models for students and other teachers, demonstrating leadership, and exhibiting a passion for science and for teaching.

Hereau graduated cum laude from Grand Valley State University in 2000 with a bachelor of science in biology. She was awarded a plant science fellowship and served as a teaching assistant while doing graduate work in the entomology department at Michigan State University from 2001-2004. In 2005, she graduated with an master of arts in secondary education from the University of Michigan.

Hereau began her teaching career at Thurston in 2005 and has taught biology, chemistry, forensic science, algebra and geometry as well as advanced placement (AP) biology and AP environmental science through her teaching career. She has also been an adjunct professor at Macomb County Community College since 2011, teaching biology, environmental science and fundamentals of nutrition. She is currently science department chair, National Honor Society Advisor, varsity cheer coach and SAGA (sexuality and gender acceptance) faculty sponsor at Thurston, and serves on the board of directors for Community Living Concepts and Alternative Services.

Hereau has expanded her influence beyond her classroom by presenting at numerous meetings, conferences, publications and podcasts. In addition to serving as a mentor for intern teachers from the University of Michigan since 2007, she also provides on-going virtual and live support to science teachers across a four-state region, including at the elementary level. She is a leader in teaching and implementing Next Generation Science Standards.

Hereau attributes her passion for science to two things.

“The first was growing up with unlimited access to the woods and the outdoors. My friends and I would explore the trails and creek behind my house in Soo Hill by ourselves for hours — learning from our own experiences. Secondly, the incredible Escanaba science educators I had that fostered that innate interest: Mrs. King, Mr. Green, Ms. Swetkis and Mr. Hivala in Junior High, as well as Mrs. Malenfant, Mr. Allis, Mr. Libby, Ms. Walker and Mr. Ouwinga at the High School. It’s alarming how many students lose interest in science once it becomes a class you are graded in. I was lucky to be in a place where teachers challenged students, but they also cared about their students and made class interesting.”

In addition to recognizing her Escanaba teachers for fostering her love for science, Hereau also credited her administrators at Thurston as well as other educators and researchers.

MSTA applauds the innovation and commitment that these educators have shown to their students and to the teaching profession. Hereau is one of nine science teachers, ranging from elementary school teachers to post graduate teachers who are being recognized. The nine awardees also include Dr. Jacqueline Huntoon from Michigan Technological University.