Richard Cormier was nominated by two students; Kaylee Carter and a student who wished to remain anonymous. The following profile combines text from both nominations.
Mr. Cormier has made such a difference in so many students' lives. He has encouraged them to thrive and be successful, not only in school, but in their upcoming careers, too. Mr. Cormier never gives up on any of his students. He pushes them to beyond their abilities because he knows they can do better. He brings such a happy atmosphere to the school and smiles at everyone who walks through the hallways. Mr. Cormier has created a career closet where students who don't have much money have clothes to wear to an interview or job. He allows any student to come to him for anything and is always welcoming to all his students. Mr. Cormier has a leading personality. He leads every student to bigger opportunities.
"He's teaching high school students how to become teachers. As a future teacher myself, he is the perfect role model," the anonymous nominator said.
I knew Rick when he lived in Michigan. At the time he was in the banking field. Even though he was good at what he did, it seemed like he felt like something was missing. When he was the happiest was when he was playing with and teaching his children something. He was always passionate and understanding with all kids.
It does not surprise me one bit that he went into the teaching profession. With his personality it is a perfect fit.
We thought it was great when we heard Rick brought some of his students to NMU to see what a teaching degree was all about. And not surprised he would go to that extent to promote teaching.
I have known Rick since before he had started going back to school to become a teacher. As one of the many foster children he has had over the years, I can attest to his dedication to honesty, family and volunteerism. Sometimes his advice may not be what you want to hear, but what you need to hear. His passion towards teaching goes beyond the classroom walls as he has tried to ensure that students remember what is truly important and not to sweat the small things. If at anytime?, you need an ear to just listen, Rick will pause what he's doing and listen. A teacher isn't just someone who takes attendance everyday and pushes worksheets in front of a child and expects them to absorb the information. A teacher creates an attentive, caring and understanding atmosphere, and that is what Rick does. He is the embodiment of a true teacher, in and out of the classroom.
A good man who is dedicated to his students and their success!
I never had the chance to have Coach Cormier as a teacher in school. I did, however, have him as a hockey coach for two years. His passion and dedication is something that has stuck with me to this day. He pushed us hard to succeed at everything we did, on and off the ice. I've recently had conversations with my parents about which coaches had the greatest influence on me. Coach Cormier was top of the list. I can only imagine how he continues to influence his students to be the best teachers possible. It's obvious from this nomination and the comments already posted that he hasn't lost the passion and dedication that I was fortunate enough to experience 20 years ago.
A family man with a genuine heart for others. Never quits, dedicated to serve all he comes in contact with.
Rick continually role models servant leadership for his peers, students and local community. He shows the students that teaching is a professional that makes a difference in the world and encourages them to join the profession to make their own impact.
While I never worked with Mr. Cormier in an educational setting I witnessed his leadership and passion for the future lives of our youth on many occasions. While his supervisor on a summer time job I appreciated his incredible work ethic and desire to improve everything he touched. I also respected his drive to improve the lives of those around him. If you want to see a man speak with purpose and conviction ask Mr Cormier about what he does for a living. He certainly deserves this opportunity.
As Rick's wife, I have witnessed his passion for his profession on a daily basis. He, like most teachers, spends countless hours outside of the classroom honing his skills with additional education, preparing and tweaking his lesson plans, making endless calls to students and their parents when needed, coaching, tutoring, attending students' events personally and so so much more. He worries about his "kids", wondering if he's done all he can to see them succeed - both in the classroom and in the real world. His daily dedication to his craft humbles me.
Many do not know that Rick was told by a college professor that he would make an "awful" teacher, so he dropped out of the education program early in college. He began coaching (teaching really) hockey and was named Coach of the Year by his peers in Marquette MI. He has refereed hockey for over 30 years and mentors and guides new officials. He has been a TEACHER in so many ways - for most of his life! Which is why he went back to school and got his education degree.....because he is an AMAZING teacher! That professor who said he would be unsuccessful IS the reason that Rick is so dedicated to his "kids"....he believes that anyone of them can be ANYTHING with hard work and the will to succeed. He is so very deserving of this nomination and honor!
Rick is one of the most dedicated educators I have ever met. His dedication to the education and development of his students character is outstanding!! His total emphasis on his students is a great example to all current and future educators..
Mr. Cormier has helped my daughter over the last 2 years, and shown her what she needs to strive for. I am so grateful for this trip to Northern Michigan that he took upon himself to get scholarship/grant money so that many of his students were able to go on a trip that otherwise would not have been able to go on. They had Amazing life experiences on a college campus out of state some with their own parents, and some without their own parents. This gave them an idea of what it is like on a College Campus, and also on a Campus out of State. I am forever grateful for Mr. Cormier, and all that he does to impact different students!!!
Mr.Cormier has changed my life in more ways than I can imagine. He guided me to a future that I had no idea I would ever reach. He embodies a life changer and he is one of the best educators I have seen. He taught me so much about society and the way we see things as people. He also taught me how to stand up for what you believe in and to take every opportunity that is given. Being a teacher is my passion and Mr.Cormier made that passion shine brighter and grow stronger. His dedication to his students and his career have inspired me to be the best I can be. I love how he always pushes us to do more and to be our own individual person. If anybody deserves this honor it is him. He does so much for his students and I couldn't have asked for a better teacher. Thank you so much Mr.C! I will always be grateful to you.
Rick Cormier is a person with vision. It has been a joy to work with Mr. Cormier and his future teachers over the past year. Our NMU faculty have been able to visit his school for three days, to partner his students with our Northern Michigan University teacher candidates using video conferencing, and to host 18 of his students and 7 parents on our campus for six days to experience college life at NMU and what a teacher preparation program looks like. The character and energy displayed by his students on our campus clearly showed that the high expectations and professional standards he has set with his students matter. Every person in our community and on campus loved being around these young people. They were articulate, sincere, and engaged. That all happens because Mr. Cormier leads them and because his students know how to lead themselves and to support each other. Mr. Cormier models high expectations and he listens to his students. He deserves this recognition.
Mr. Cornier is beyond amazing!! If anyone had the chance to just sit and observe his interaction with his students you'll be left speechless. Just his patience along and acknowledgement of each one of his students just shows how passionate he is about teaching. I had the opportunity to spend 6 amazing days in Marquette, Michigan along with my daughter ,other parents and students. From that moment I totally understood why my daughter says he's her absolute favorite teacher. If anyone deserves this kind of recognition, it's definitely Mr. Cormier! This man has touched and changed alot of lives,including mines??
It's bitter sweet knowing that my time as Mr. Cormier's student has passed. I had his TAP (teaching as a profession) class for two years , and while I now have lost my calling to be a teacher, his class, he , taught me so much. I learned to think outside the box and to ALWAYS question the reasoning behind why our schools, society, and people act as they do. Not only that but the biggest thing I will take away from this time with Mr. C is that life is funny, hilarious actually , you will never end up where you thought you would be. And that is okay, you will survive and thrive as long as you work hard and be a good person it will all work out. Life will surprise you and it is up to us to make that a good or bad thing. I could not think of a better person for this opportunity. Thank you Mr. C.
Mr. Cormier is the reason my daughter, Kia wants to be a teacher. I appreciate how he takes a genuine interest in his students and helps them understand life in school and out. His great big heart helps him to not only be a super teacher but it leads him to make sure that his students and others have a drive to thrive in life. As a parent, it's so refreshing to find someone who sincerely has a vested interest making sure these students are prepared for their futures. He doesn't allow them to sit back and make excuses for not succeeding. Mr. Cormier gives more than 100% of himself and he does it with such a selfless heart. There truly needs to be more Educators like Mr. Cormier and I'm proud to say my daughter is going to one of the ones that follows in his footsteps.
Truly an amazing teacher, especially if my daughter Sequoia thinks so. I feel very comfortable letting her fly for the first time without me, who is a very protective mother. So I think this speaks volumes
