Sarah Franklin had no idea she was about to be named Lake Orion High School’s Teacher of the Year, until she heard LOHS Principal Todd Dunckley describing some ‘childhood memories? from this year’s winner.
Franklin, an English and expository writing teacher at LOHS for the past five years, and co-chair of the English Department, is originally from the Chicago area.
She met her husband Daniel, who is from the Lake Orion area, while attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The couple now lives in Rochester Hills.
When she started college, Franklin was in pre-med, and intended to become a doctor.
‘Now I’m glad I didn’t,? she said, after listening to two of her former students talk about her in front of LOHS faculty, when Teacher of the Year was announced on Jan. 18.
Dolly VanFossan, a junior at LOHS and former student of Franklin’s, said ‘I admire her optimism and her intelligence.?
VanFossan said Franklin was a ‘friend, listener and advisor…And overall the expression of what I’d like to become in my life.?
Kristen Zernick, a sophomore who just finished Franklin’s class, nominated Franklin for Teacher of the Year.
‘She has enthusiasm for her job, her students, and she participates in extracurricular activities,? Zernick said. ‘Students work hard in her class because she works hard.?
Zernick said she also liked that Franklin treated her students with respect.
‘She treats us like mature adults,? she said.
Dunckley, who spoke with Franklin’s father via phone to find out some stories from her childhood, said Franklin was ‘as classy as a lady can get.?
‘She’s a great role model,? he said.
Franklin said the ‘amazing? English teachers she had in high school inspired her to ultimately choose education as her career.
‘I love books, and I love getting other people to love books,? she said, adding that along with reading she also likes working out and cooking.
‘I’ve had the most wonderful students,? Franklin said of her time at LOHS. ‘They make this job great.?