TRAVERSE CITY — A local educator has been named the Michigan Paraprofessional of the Year for her work supporting students with special needs at Creekside School.
Maranda Foster, a teacher assistant and lead support person at the school, received the honor from the Michigan Council for Exceptional Children (MCEC). Foster serves in the High School Functional Life Skills classroom at Creekside, a K-12 program operated by Northwest Education Services (North Ed) for students with emotional impairments or severe behavioral concerns.
“We are so fortunate to have Maranda and her deep knowledge of child development and applied education neuroscience supporting our students,” Creekside School Supervisor Lisa Klepper said.
The MCEC award is given to paraprofessionals who demonstrate significant student success, a commitment to professional development, and high standards of educational quality.
Foster is currently pursuing a master’s degree in social work. During her six-year tenure at Creekside, Foster established the Creekside Bistro, a student-run café.
Under Foster’s guidance, students manage the bistro’s operations, including:
- Menu planning and budgeting
- Inventory management
- Customer service for North Ed staff
- Development of professional skills like teamwork and organization
Foster credited the school’s staff and students for her growth as an educator.
“Creekside did not just give me a job, it gave me purpose, direction and a family,” Foster said. She added that it is a privilege to watch students grow from “tiny kindergartners” into confident secondary students who use the tools they learned at the school.
Creekside School serves students across Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties.
Foster will be formally recognized during the MCEC annual conference on Feb. 26 at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids.