Sears Wins Rochester Educator of The Year Award

ROCHESTER, MI — Rochester High School Social Studies Teacher Kara Sears has been selected as the recipient of the 11th Annual Sunrise Pinnacle Educator of the Year Award.

“I am incredibly grateful to have been selected for this award. Being nominated as Educator of the Year is an honor in its own right, but to be chosen to represent our community, one so filled with talent, is a true privilege,” said Sears.

The Sunrise Pinnacle awards ceremony, organized by the Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce and presented by PNC Bank, is the greater Rochester communities’ annual celebration of the outstanding achievements and contributions of visionary leaders, nonprofit organizations and businesses.

“The Sunrise Pinnacle Awards ceremony is an opportunity for the greater Rochester communities to come together and honor the accomplishments and contributions of the best of the best within our region. We congratulate Kara and our 22 other winners who were selected from many deserving nominees,” said Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce President Alaina Campbell.

(For more local news, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Rochester Patch, click here to find your local Michigan Patch. Also, follow us on Facebook, and if you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Sears holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Studies with a minor in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Educational Studies, both from Oakland University. She is a product of the Rochester Community School District, where she attended Brewster Elementary, Van Hoosen Middle School, and Rochester Adams High School.

For the past 13 years, Sears has taught high school students at Rochester Adams, ACE (Alternative Center for Education), and Rochester High School.

“Years ago, one of my teachers at Adams High School, Dr. Tim Lentz, provided me with an acronym for success that I still use and teach to my students. I tell my students to bring their DPTL, which stands for discipline, patience, tradition, and love. By bringing their DPTL to school every day, students can develop a love of learning, grow personally and academically, and seek opportunities to give back to the community,” said Sears.

Sears has a list of accomplishments, above what is required, that displays her dedication and commitment to RCS students. Past and present successes include serving as ACE student council advisor and filed trip coordinator, Rochester High School instructional leadership team member, district attendance committee member, and district formative assessment committee member.

Sears also piloted the district’s first government hybrid online course and served as an E2020 online learning district trainer, the Adams High School theatre director and International Thespian Society Club sponsor, to name a few.

“We are so proud of Kara and are thrilled that she has received the Educator of the Year award. Although a teacher doesn’t enter the profession for accolades, it is always wonderful when their hard work and dedication is recognized by the community,” said Executive Director of Secondary Education Carrie Lawler. “Congratulations, Kara!”

Photo courtesy of Rochester Community Schools