Lifelong Big Red Named 'High School Teacher of the Year' in Chippewa Valley

From his first-grade report card, to the blue Post-it note containing his job offer, Ron Campbell has been collecting mementos of his time in Chippewa Valley Schools for almost 50 years. This year, he adds the plaque recognizing him as the district’s High School Teacher of the Year.

“I am very honored to receive this award,” Campbell said. “My years here at Chippewa Valley I have enjoyed all of them.”

A social studies teacher at for the past 16 years, including one spent at , Campbell is also a graduate of the district, with 12 years of report cards to prove it.

“My story started with Chippewa Valley in 1965 and that was when I started at Clinton Valley (Elementary School).”

Campbell would go on to graduate from CVHS in 1977 and return to teach in the district as a substitute in 1991 before being hired full-time in 1996.

“When I was officially told (I had been hired) I was given this blue Post-it note to tell me, and it says right here, ‘Ron, Dave Canaan said you will be starting tomorrow and to see him third hour.’ That’s how I found out I had the job, so I had it laminated.”

It is this attention to detail and enthusiasm for his work in the district that earned him the honor of being this year’s high school teacher of the year.

“He is a valuable mentor who is committed to helping students and colleagues,” said Superintendent Ron Roberts. “He’s constantly revising and reevaluating his teaching practices, and he creates a welcoming classroom environment that showcases the student work and photographs of notable political figures, former students and national landmarks.”

Former students remember him as being full of enthusiasm for his subject and a key player in their high school lives, Roberts added.

“(His) work with our students is truly exceptional. These kids love him and you can see it in everything they do. He has a relaxed relationship with them, and makes government relevant and important to them. It’s not the subject, it’s him … He is extraordinary.”

In addition to teaching government, Campbell is also an active player, currently serving as an elected commissioner for the city of Mount Clemens.