UM-Flint graduate student Wakefield named 2024-25 region teacher of the year

“I don’t think teaching is just about curriculum or test scores, it’s about helping students see what I see in them: unlimited potential,” said Sasha Wakefield, who teaches math and statistics at Clio High School. Wakefield is pursuing her education specialist degree at the University of Michigan-Flint and was recently named the 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year for Region 5, which is comprised of Bay-Arenac Intermediate School District, Clare-Gladwin Regional Education Service District, Gratiot. -Isabella Regional Education Service District, Midland County Educational Service Agency and Saginaw Intermediate School District.

“After I was nominated, I had to send in a lot of material in support, and I was staying up late at night and on weekends to do it,” Wakefield said. “I saw this experience as a learning opportunity for my students—how do you set and accomplish your lifelong goals?

“I remember coming in on a Monday morning and telling them I’d been working all weekend on this project and they were just blown away. They wondered why I would go to all this effort if it wasn’t a sure thing. I’m disappointed? I told them that although I would be, the experience of gathering evidence and thinking about some of the questions was invaluable – it was worth it, regardless of the result we put everything into it itself, it is something to be proud of .”

Wakefield’s journey to becoming a teacher was not as linear as others. She had her first child at 16 and attended six high schools before graduating. By the time she was 20, she was a mother of two children.

“It was very difficult because I often felt prejudiced and like my destiny was predetermined,” she said. “I struggled to connect with my teachers and make it to high school – but I did it!”

After graduating from high school, he continued his education at Mott Community College. One of her aunts, a special education teacher, advised her to consider working as a paraprofessional.

“He told me they needed parapros, so I started working at Flint Northwestern (High School),” Wakefield said. “I fell in love with teaching and it helped shape the journey I’m on today.”

As a young working mother, Wakefield took classes at various colleges and universities—wherever she could find the classes she needed to fit her busy schedule. Although she did not earn her bachelor’s degree from UM-Flint, she took several math courses at the downtown campus as she worked toward completing her bachelor’s degree, which she did in 2010. In Brief shortly thereafter, Wakefield began teaching at Clio High School.

She values ​​lifelong learning and considers it one of the core competencies she instills in her students.

“Honestly, I get frustrated sometimes when I meet adults and they tell me math isn’t necessary and they’ve never used anything they’ve learned,” Wakefield said. “It’s like they missed the whole point, which disappoints me. Learning maths and statistics – a lot of it is about learning how to analyze data, think critically and solve problems. These are essential skills and we use them all the time. – whether we realize it or not.”

With her recent recognition as the 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year for Region 5, Wakefield sees her approach to education and commitment to her students working.

“It’s such a fantastic honor — especially as someone who graduated from an alternative high school because I had to find a school that would let me bring my child with me,” Wakefield said. “I think my personal experiences help me show up in front of my students in a different way—I know how damaging it can be to judge a book by its cover.”

As part of his duties, Wakefield will join other regional Teachers of the Year and Kelley Cusmano, recently named Michigan Teacher of the Year, to form the Michigan Council of Teacher Leaders. The board will meet in July to discuss and set priorities for the coming year, and an induction ceremony will be held at the state school board meeting in August.

“The other regional teachers of the year will be rotating in and joining Kelley during the monthly state school board meetings, so I’m excited to experience that,” she said. “I will volunteer for absolutely everything possible! This is my opportunity to further support the educational needs of my region and bring the voice of students to the state level whenever possible.”

Wakefield will continue his studies at UM-Flint. He is on track to graduate with an education specialist degree in 2025.

“I had phenomenal experiences with the faculty when I took the classes as part of my undergraduate degree in 2008-2009, so returning for my undergraduate degree was an easy decision,” Wakefield said. “Given the demands on my time as a full-time high school teacher and now my role as Regional Teacher of the Year, having the Ed.S program fully online is critical.

“But just because it’s online doesn’t make the experience any less enriching. My cohort includes teachers from all over the state, and we bonded quickly, learning as much from each other as from our classroom work.”

In addition to receiving state recognition, Wakefield was honored by the Michigan Association for Gifted Children with a Distinguished Service Award and the Clio Chamber of Commerce as Educator of the Year.

“When you become a teacher, you immerse your whole life in the community – after all, we’re all in this together. So, I am constantly asking myself how I can better support students. How can I help create an environment where I can learn more?” said Wakefield. “It’s an absolutely wonderful time to be a teacher; it really is. I can’t recommend it more highly. The students are amazing and it’s a joy to go to work every day when you are passionate about what you do.

“I love showing students the beauty of numbers and connecting the math they’re learning to the world around them. Teachers help create more equity in the world every day. Seriously, I love this job so much, I’d do it for free.”