NOVI, Mich. – Every year, the Novi school district celebrates a teacher of the year. This year, the award went to a teacher who went above and beyond to create an incredible memory for a student with special needs.
In September, the Novi High School football team created a play for a boy with special needs whose mother is suffering from cancer. Jodie Sikaitis was instrumental in making the play happen.
"On behalf of the Novi Educational Foundation and the Suburban Collection, we're here to honor you not only as the teacher of the year but to give you an award of a new vehicle," said Tom Smith, the chairman of the Novi Educational Foundation.
Sikaitis received a round of applause from Novi High School and district staff members when she was presented with the teacher of the year award.
"It's a pleasure all the great work you do," Smith said.
The award is given each year to outstanding teachers. Sikaitis is one of the many teachers who were nominated for their good work.
"Jodie is the special education teacher," Smith said. "So one of the things in particular -- in fact it was on the news earlier this year -- one of her students, Robbie, got to participate in one of the varsity football games."
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Sikaitis was one of the teachers who helped Robbie score a touchdown during the game. To her, teaching is more than just a job.
"They're like my kids, like my family," Sikaitis said. "They're so important. I live and breathe the kids. I just love them."
Sikaitis not only won teacher of the year from the school district, she also previously won teacher of the year on the high school level.
Sikaitis gets to pick out the car she wants from the Surburban Collection. She can keep it for at least two years.