Alumnus David Rochemont wins Alberta Muirhead Teacher of the Year Award

HFC alumnus David Rochemont is one of five educators in the Dearborn Public Schools honored at the 2026 Alberta Muirhead Teacher of the Year Students’ Choice Awards.

“I wasn’t expecting it at all,” confessed Rochemont. “It’s a testament to the connection we make with our students, that things are much more meaningful than we even realize.”

One of five winners out of 456 nominated

The Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce organized the awards, which were announced during a ceremony in late April at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn. LaFontaine Automotive Group was the presenting sponsor. This award, which began in 1997, is the namesake of the late Alberta Muirhead, a prominent Dearborn philanthropist.

For this year’s awards, the Chamber received more than 1,700 nominations for 456 teachers from across the district. The Chamber’s Education Committee, chaired by Philipp Emma, selected one recipient in each of five categories:

• Pre-Kindergarten–2nd Grade
• 3rd–5th Grade
• Middle School
• High School
• Adult Education

“Every teacher nominated has made a difference,” said Dearborn Interim Superintendent Lamis Srour. “You have made your classrooms, your schools, and this entire district a place of quality learning for all. There are hundreds – even thousands – of students whose lives have been changed for the better because of the work these teachers have done. This is the power of being a teacher.”

Rochemont is one of two HFC graduates to win the Muirhead Award. The other is Sarah Kdouh of Salina Elementary School. Rochemont, who teaches mathematics (including AP statistics) at Dearborn High School, was honored in the high school category.

This year marks the first time he has won the Muirhead Award, after being nominated five times.

“It’s still an incredible surprise,” said Rochemont. “When I think about my building, let alone the entire district, there are so many great things happening. It’s an incredible honor to have won when there are so many excellent teachers in this district. And this being in my 10th year in the district makes it extra special.”

A college degree becomes realistic, not overwhelming

Rochemont's nomination letter shares insights into why he was selected for the award.

“My teacher motivates me to pursue a college degree by showing me every day that I’m capable of succeeding in a rigorous academic environment. He treats AP statistics like a college-level course, and that expectation pushes me to work harder, think more deeply, and take my education seriously. When he gives us challenging material, he doesn’t just want the correct answer; he wants us to explain our reasoning, analyze patterns, and communicate our ideas clearly. Working at that level helps me picture myself doing real college coursework and makes the idea of earning a degree feel realistic instead of overwhelming. He also inspires me by connecting what we learn to the kinds of opportunities a college education can open. He reminds us that earning college credit now can save time and money, which makes the goal of graduating more achievable. Most importantly, he genuinely believes we can handle difficult work,” his nomination letter stated.

Rochemont was sitting in the audience when he realized he was the winner.

“They were reading the letter from the student who nominated me,” he recalled. “When I heard AP stats, I had a feeling it was me because there are two other people in the district who teach it, and they weren’t nominated. When I was named, my wife started crying happy tears.”

HFC was the right place at the right time

Born in Dearborn, Rochemont is the eldest of two. He lives in River Rouge with Avery Shelton, his wife of 10 years who is an early childhood special education teacher in Dearborn Heights District 7. The couple has an 8-year-old daughter.

Rochemont is a graduate of Crestwood High School in Dearborn Heights. He earned his associate degree in liberal arts/pre-education at HFC (then Henry Ford Community College), where he was a member of the Henry Ford II Honors Program. He eventually transferred to the University of Michigan-Dearborn, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics and his secondary education teaching certification. Rochemont also completed coursework at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

“I’m one of those guys who grew up in a family where nobody went to college. You either got a job or you joined the military after high school,” recalled Rochemont. “I’m also one of those guys who slipped through the cracks in high school. I floated through and didn’t have the proper tools to prepare myself. I chose to go to HFC because it was affordable and close to home. I also had no real idea what I wanted to do. HFC was the right place at the right time for me.”

Two professors who deeply influenced Rochemont were (retired) HFC political science instructor Dr. Henry J. Bowers and (retired) HFC pre-education instructor Dr. Patricia Lanzon.

“Dr. Bowers was the very first professor I had at the College. He set the tone and the standard of what I expected out of college professors. I mention him a lot in my lectures,” he said. “Dr. Lanzon liked the work I was doing. One day she pulled me aside and asked me to speak up more in class. I didn’t think getting into U-M was possible, but she planted that seed. I probably wouldn’t have been accepted to U-M out of high school, but HFC showed me I could belong there. Due to the small class sizes at HFC and the excellent professors, I learned so many skills that benefited me beyond HFC, which laid the foundation for my success.”

An exceptional educator dedicated to students and passionate about teaching

Rochemont’s desire to become a teacher began in high school. He would help his classmates in his mathematics classes, breaking down concepts in ways that resonated with his fellow students.

“It was fun for me to do that,” he said. “Growing up, I didn’t necessarily have many safe adults in my life. There were a few teachers at Crestwood who filled that void the way Dr. Lanzon did at the College. They made a positive impact on me, and teaching was a way to give back.”

Rochemont is one of Lanzon's favorite students from her time at HFC.

“His mind is so philosophical,” said Lanzon. “He was able to see education from an integrated, big picture point of view. He saw the classroom as something bigger. Most college-age students don’t have that perspective until later. He understood education as a system. He was super reflective and would challenge himself – there’s nothing more you can ask for in an education major.”

Rochemont has been teaching for 11 years. He began at the Advanced Technology Academy in Dearborn before coming to DHS. It’s gratifying for him to see his students when they first enter his classroom as freshmen and witness how much they have grown by the time they are seniors.

“The cool part is hearing about what they’re doing after my class,” he said. “I’m glad to have played a part in that.”

DHS Principal Zeina Jebril is proud of Rochemont’s accomplishments.

"David Rochemont is an exceptional educator whose dedication to his students and passion for teaching are evident in everything he does,” she said. “As an HFC alumnus, he embodies the excellence and community spirit we strive for at DHS. We are thrilled to see him honored with the Muirhead Award, which is a testament to the profound impact he has on our students every day."

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