Meet the 2025 Teacher of the Year - Dr. Mia A. Rollack
June 5, 2025
Dr. Mia A. Rollack has dedicated six years teaching English Language Arts (ELA) at Pulaski Elementary-Middle School within Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD), where she is the lead teacher for 7th and 8th grades. Her journey as a teacher has been shaped by her own experiences as a student at Crockett Technical High School now known as Crocket Midtown High School for Science and Medicine, where exceptional teachers inspired her to pursue a career in education.
Dr. Rollack’s most memorable moments in the classroom involved an 8th-grade student who was reading at a 5th-grade level. Recognizing his passion for baseball, she encouraged him to read books on the sport, sparking his interest in literacy. Years later, that same student received a full-ride scholarship to the University of Michigan for baseball—an achievement that speaks to the power of inspired learning. As Dr. Rollack puts it, “It doesn’t matter the reading level; what matters is what they are reading to inspire them to want to read.”
Dr. Rollack’s approach to teaching is rooted in encouragement and motivation. She tells her students, “I’m not asking you to be perfect; I’m asking you to try.” This philosophy has resonated with her students, many of whom express gratitude for her unwavering support. During teacher appreciation celebrations, students shared heartfelt messages about how much they value her persistence in pushing them to be their best.
For Dr. Rollack, teaching is more than just a profession—it’s a calling. As she says, “I really want to make a difference in a positive way, in their lives, with their education.”
Dr. Rollack’s dedication to her students and her unwavering passion for education have earned her a well-deserved place as the 2025 Teacher of the Year—a true testament to the lasting impact she has on the lives of those she teaches.
View Dr Rollack's highlight video.