Spartans helping shape the future of literacy in Michigan The Michigan Council of Teachers of English recognized three Spartans in August 2026 for their contributions to research and teaching in the field.
MCTE is led by Benjamin Woodcock, who began serving as president in the 2026-27 academic year. Woodcock has served in leadership roles for MCTE since 2018, including four years as the organization’s secretary.
“MCTE is pleased to announce the recipients of our annual awards for teachers for the 2026-2027 school year. We’re looking forward to honoring their impactful work at our Spring Conference,” said Woodcock, who is also an English teacher at Okemos High School. He’s been involved with the Red Cedar Writing Project (a National Writing Project affiliated site on MSU’s campus), Sparting Writing Camps, the Greenrock Writers Retreat and the Chippewa River Writing Project through Central Michigan University.
“It seems like everywhere you look, there are Spartans contributing, leading and maintaining a standard of excellence — especially in education,” continued Woodcock, who earned an M.A. in Teaching and Curriculum from MSU in 2019. “It is an honor to celebrate these fellow Spartans for their work in their communities and beyond.”
The Spartan honorees are:
Associate Professor Jennifer VanDerHeide (Charles Carpenter Fries Award)
VanDerHeide is a former educator who joined MSU’s faculty in 2014.
In the nomination materials, VanDerHeide’s MSU colleagues recognized her as someone who “collaboratively teaches, mentors and inspires future English teachers ... in ways that build and sustain relationships over time,” according to an MCTE story.
VanDerHeide has been connected with MCTE for more than 25 years. She is also connected to the larger National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE); has served as faculty advisor for MSU’s student affiliate group. Under VanDerHeide’s guidance, MSU’s student organization has won NCTE's Student Affiliate Excellence Award several times. Previously, VanDerHeide was the secretary for the NCTE Assembly for Research (NCTEAR).
The Charles Carpenter Fries Award “honors educators whose distinguished career reflects a lifelong commitment to the teaching of English, to literacy, and to the professional development of teachers.” VanDerHeide’s honor marks the second straight year an MSU Spartan has received the accolade; College of Arts & Letters Associate Professor Trixie Long Smith received the 2025-26 honor.
“As I look to the list of honorees from past years, I am honored to join this amazing group that includes many colleagues at MSU and across the state who have shared advice, support and joy,” VanDerHeide said. “I am also thankful for so many professors who were my heroes when I was a young teacher, mentoring me through their books, articles and presentations.”
Alum Jill Hoort (Ray H. Lawson Award)
Two-time Spartan alum Jill Hoort is the literacy consultant for Eaton County’s Regional Educational Service Agency. Across her career, Hoort, B.A. ‘99 (Education), has worked in various roles across Grand Ledge, Okemos, East Lansing and throughout Eaton County. She has also supported MSU-adjacent projects, including serving as co-director for the Red Cedar Writing Project and director of the Spartan Writing Camp.
“She is respected by colleagues and trusted by the educators she supports, not just because of what she knows, but because of how she shows up,” according to an MCTE story. Hoort, who also has a master’s degree from the College of Natural Science, was previously recognized as MCTE’s Elementary Teacher of the Year (2015).
The Ray H. Lawson Award “recognizes an individual whose distinguished career exemplifies lifelong dedication to English language arts instruction, mentorship and advocacy.”
Alum Jenny Sanford (Middle School English Teacher of the Year)
Jenny Sanford has over 20 years of experience across PreK-12 in music and English curricula. She currently teaches at Springport Middle School. Sanford is president of the South Central Michigan Reading Council, co-chair of the Adolescent Literacy Committee (Michigan Reading Association) and on the leadership team for the Chippewa River Writing Project (Central Michigan University). In addition, she participates with the Michigan Assessment Consortium and the Michigan Department of Education in various projects.
MCTE recognized Sanford for her “dedication to creating inclusive and humanizing classrooms for her students, her leadership to the profession through middle-level organizations, and her innovation in the field of literacy.”
Sanford is quoted by MCTE as saying: “Working with middle school students has been such a blessing and a rewarding experience. Middle schoolers are so full of life, naturally curious and are vulnerable enough to be honest with themselves, being willing to change and shape their worldview.”
Sanford earned an M.A. in Literacy Instruction (2012) as well as several certificates and specializations from MSU.