Michigan Teacher of the Year 2020-21
Teacher & advocate growing all students into confident communicators.

My mission
As Michigan Teacher of the Year for the 2020-21 school year, my mission is to:
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Evaluate the effects of the pandemic on education and rethink best practices moving forward,
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Help to create classrooms and schools that uplift students from all communities and backgrounds, with practices rooted in queer-affirming, anti-racist, abolitionist teaching,
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Advocate for new and future teachers with the goal of recruiting and retaining teachers who align with the diversity of our student population,
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Assist teachers, schools, and districts in prioritizing students' social-emotional health, and
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Be a "possibility model" (in the words of Laverne Cox) for other trans and queer people in education and beyond.

I'm Owen Bondono, a teacher in Oak Park, MI.
I am an educator who focuses on growing students as empathetic critical thinkers and communicators in a space where they are safe and empowered. All students have a voice and unlocking their power as writers and speakers is at the center of my work. I am the 2020-2021 Michigan Teacher of the Year and I teach English at the Oak Park High School 9th Grade Learning Community. In my spare time, I’m a writer, the Detroit Municipal Liaison for National Novel Writing Month, and a Dungeon Master for my Dungeons and Dragons playing friends.
Who Am I?
Owen Bondono
Teacher, Oak Park MI
Pronouns: he/them



Education
Wayne State University
Bachelor of Science
English Secondary Education



Career
2 years subsitute teaching
2 years paraprofessional
5 years teaching middle &
high school ELA


