GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) -- Three GRPS educators have been named the 2025-2026 Jean Hamilton Cope Teachers of the Year.
The honorees are, Mandee Allen at Sibley Elementary School, Stacey Post at Burton Middle School, and April Anderson at City High Middle School.
This annual award, established by generous donors Laurie and Mark Grand in honor of Laurie’s mother, former GRPS teacher Jean Hamilton Cope, recognizes outstanding educators. The honorees receive $1,000 and are nominated for the Michigan Teacher of the Year Award.
The three winners will be celebrated during the October Board of Education meeting on October 12 at 6:30 p.m. in The Robert Dean Auditorium.
Elementary School Division Honoree: Mandee Allen, Sibley Elementary School
Mandee Allen serves as a third-grade teacher at Sibley Elementary School. With three decades of service to Grand Rapids Public Schools, she has built a reputation as a dedicated educator who combines high expectations with a deep commitment to her scholars.
Allen tailors her instruction to meet scholars’ academic, social and emotional needs while encouraging them to embrace challenges and reach their full potential. Her calm, consistent approach fosters a classroom environment built on trust, confidence and a shared commitment to learning.
In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Allen serves on Sibley’s Instructional Leadership Team, helping strengthen teaching and learning throughout the school. She also helps lead the school garden committee, providing scholars with hands-on learning experiences that connect classroom instruction to the world around them.
Middle School Division Honoree: Stacey Post, Burton Middle School
Stacey Post serves as a sixth-grade science teacher at Burton Middle School. Her leadership extends throughout the building, where she serves on the school’s leadership team and as science department chair, advocating for data-driven instruction and creative curriculum development.
She has helped pilot an innovative STEM program for seventh- and eighth-grade scholars, creating additional opportunities for them to explore science through practical applications. She also returned to school to earn her English as a Second Language certification, further strengthening her ability to support learners.
Post remains committed to supporting the next generation of educators by mentoring teachers as they begin their careers.
High School Division Honoree: April Anderson, City High Middle School
April Anderson teaches French at City High Middle School. Hired as a part-time French teacher during the 2014-15 school year, she advocated for rebuilding the school’s French program, growing it from a program slated for elimination to six levels of French instruction. Today, she teaches all six levels, continually refreshing her curriculum and creating engaging learning experiences for scholars.
Beyond the classroom, Anderson has served as a grade-level advisor, National Honor Society advisor, building union representative and supervisor of several clubs, including French, baking and travel clubs. She has also contributed to school theater productions through costume design. Passionate about providing opportunities beyond the classroom, Anderson has helped hundreds of scholars experience international travel, regardless of their financial circumstances, through organizations such as Passports and other fundraising efforts.
