My City September 2022

Flint Teacher is Cranbrook’s Outstanding Educator Melissa Koronka, a science teacher at the Accelerated Learning Academy (ALA) in Flint, was chosen to receive the Cranbrook Institute of Science 2022 Outstanding Educator Award. Every year, Cranbrook hosts the“Women Rock Science” gala, which recognizes three individuals who are making a difference in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM).The award recipients will be recognized at the fifth annual gala held on October 12 in Bloomfield Hills. The ALA is an alternative high school in the Flint Community School system (FCS).With a student population of 150 and eight teachers, the academy offers alternative learning for students in grades 9-12 who have not been successful in other classroom settings. “I really love working with the alternative students!”Koronka exclaims. She has been a science teacher for FCS for 26 years. About 11 years ago, Koronka began chaperoning the Flint students who were selected to participate in the internship program offered by Cranbrook. Her position at Cranbrook evolved and she took a leadership role in designing a virtual program for the school. BY CHERYL DENNISON

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