Q&A with Michigan Teacher of the Year Erik Meerschaert
August 06, 2026
Erik Meerschaert is a special education teacher at Lake Orion High School in Lake Orion Community Schools. He’ll be writing a monthly blog for us starting in September, along with guest posts by the other Michigan Regional Teachers of the Year.
But first, he was kind enough to answer a few questions for us.
What is your teaching experience?
I am entering my 18th year of teaching. My first 10 years were as a center-based teacher for Eaton RESA. My last seven years have been as a Self-Contained CI teacher at Lake Orion High School.
What is your mission/platform as Michigan Teacher of the Year?
My platform is rooted in creating a sense of belonging for our learners, recognizing and elevating the great things educators in Michigan are doing, and expanding opportunities for all students. I believe every student deserves to be known, valued and challenged, and every educator deserves support and recognition for the difference they make. As Michigan Teacher of the Year, I plan to advocate for inclusive practices and opportunities that help students and educators thrive both in and out of the educational setting.
What is the biggest change in your classroom from when you first started teaching?
The biggest change in my classroom has been my understanding of what success looks like. When I began teaching, I focused heavily on measurable academic and functional goals. Those goals are still important, but through my years of teaching, my students have taught me that success comes in many different forms.
Over the years, I have come to realize that some of the most meaningful achievements are not always reflected in data points or assessments. I try to celebrate academic growth while also recognizing the importance of creating opportunities for students to feel seen, valued and connected. As I have created more opportunities for my students to feel included within our school community, I have watched them grow both academically and socially in ways I never expected.
What are the most important things that your students have taught you?
My students have taught me to rethink what success looks like. Working with students with diverse learning needs has shown me that success is not about comparing one student’s journey to another’s. It is about recognizing and celebrating individual growth. They have taught me patience, perseverance and the importance of meeting people where they are while never underestimating where they can go.
What is your favorite story/event from teaching?
My favorite event from teaching is our Unified Basketball game that we hold each year at Lake Orion High School. On the surface, it’s a basketball game, but for our students, families and school community, it’s so much more.
Our students have the opportunity to play in front of the entire high school during the school day, with classmates, staff and families cheering them on from the stands. What makes the event so special is that it shows the very best of what education can be. For that moment, all our differences and barriers fade into the background. The focus is on teamwork, school pride, joy and celebrating one another.
I have watched students who are often on the sidelines become the center of attention, greeted by roaring cheers and genuine excitement from their peers. The game is a powerful reminder that belonging matters. As educators, we work every day to create schools where every student feels seen, valued and connected. The Unified Basketball game brings that vision to life in a way that few other events can. Seeing our entire school come together to support and celebrate each other is a moment that reinforces why I became a teacher and why I continue to believe in the power of providing opportunities to all students.
Who would play you in the Oscar-bait inspirational movie about your class, and what would the movie be called?
I would have to say Jason Sudeikis would play the role of Mr. M (Me). I’m a big fan of “Ted Lasso” and the unwavering optimism and positivity he brings to everything he does. As a teacher and a coach, I’ve learned that positivity isn’t about shying away from challenges. It’s about believing in people through those challenges. Some of my students and athletes have faced significant obstacles, and I’ve seen firsthand how relationships, encouragement and high expectations can help them discover strengths they didn’t know they had.
The movie would be called “Choose to Believe.” It would follow a special education teacher and Unified Sports Coach, who believes that labels should never define a student’s future. The film would be about belonging, perseverance and helping students discover strengths they didn’t know they had.
What are your words of advice for teachers (rookies or veterans)?
My advice to both new and veteran teachers is to never underestimate the power of belonging. When students feel seen, valued and connected, they are more willing to take risks, persevere through challenges, and believe in their own potential. Relationships are the building blocks of learning, and the impact of those relationships often lasts far beyond the classroom.