TEACHER OF THE YEAR

2025 - Ben Trick

Congratulations to Ben Trick, who was named the Sugar Maple Festival Teacher of the Year. Trick started with the district in August 2006 and is a teacher who his colleagues look up to and respect.

According to one of many nomination letters, “He is the epitome of a team player, having different classes and preps each year and always willing to work with new team members. He is consistently open to new ideas for his class if it means an improved experience for students. He works so well with students and focuses on building relationships throughout the year. He is always calm and collected and thinks through everything he wants to say and always delivers it in a positive manner - even when it may be tough to hear. His impact is long-lasting as well; Ben is always a teacher selected when students in high school apply for NHS and write about their favorite teacher from the past.”

Congratulations, Mr. Trick!

2024 - Jill Culler

2023 - Sue Campbell

2022 - Amy Brewer

Amy has been a teacher for 23 years at Stephen Bell and Bell Creek Intermediate School. Congratulations, Amy, well deserved!

2020 - Mark Carreira and Michael Garison

We are honored to announce the 2020 Bellbrook Sugar Maple Festival Teachers of the Year - Mark Carreira and Michael Garison! Both teachers were chosen by their peers for this award and they will each receive a plaque in August. Take a moment to read a little bit about Michael and Mark and join us in congratulating them on this great achievement!

MARK CARREIRA:

𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Bachelor's of Science in Social Studies Education and Master's of Educational Leadership from the University of Dayton and Wright State University.

𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐤: I was hired for the 1999-2000 school year, so this is my 21st year teaching at Bellbrook High School.

𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Social Studies (sophomore American Studies and senior Advanced Placement Government and Politics) teacher at Bellbrook High School; President of the Sugarcreek Education Association.

"I am honored to receive this award. I, like many others, believe that teaching is my calling, and I consider myself to have been extremely fortunate to have served the Bellbrook community for the duration of my career; I have been so lucky to have had the opportunity to know so many incredible young women and men as a Cross Country and Track and Field coach for over a decade, and in the classroom for double that. Thank you for a wonderful opportunity and this recognition for doing my job to the best of my ability."

MICHAEL GARISON:

𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Graduated from Vandalia-Butler High School in 2008, Wright State University in 2012 with Bachelors in German and Spanish and TEFL Certificate.

𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝: I taught German and Spanish in St. Henry High School, English in Mexico, Germany, Morocco, and Taiwan.

𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: I have been teaching English as a Second Language in Bellbrook since 2017.

𝐇𝐨𝐛𝐛𝐢𝐞𝐬: I love teaching, traveling, learning languages, reading, riding my bike, hanging out with friends, thrifting, and playing piano.