A teacher from Holland Public School has been named Michigan’s 2021 Online Virtual Teacher of the Year.

Sara Sibble has been a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist Teacher at Holland Public Schools since 2012. Sibble has been recognized for her creativity, flexibility and selflessness in ensuring her students are heard and have the right tools to succeed.

Among her letters of appointment, Sibble has been described as helping to transform the frightening stereotype of deafness from a “handicap” into a beautifully unique ability. As a Deaf / Hard of Hearing Special Education teacher in Holland Public Schools, her ultimate goal is to create a fully inclusive environment for the deaf.

Sibble received her BS in Child Development from Michigan State University and attended Western Michigan University and Grand Rapids Community College for graduate studies. Previously, she held positions as a head start program and early childhood special education teacher in Holland Public Schools and as a first grade teacher in the Lansing School District.

In a letter from Governor Gretchen Whitmer, she praised Sibble for her dedication to students throughout the pandemic.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for your tireless commitment to achieving equitable education for American Sign Language students over the past 23 years. I truly appreciate your passion to educate, inspire and encourage the next generation of leaders in our state, ”Whitmer said.

Since the award began in 2009, 15 teachers have received the honor of being named Michigan Virtual Online Teacher of the Year.

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