Alumna Sarah Kdouh wins Alberta Muirhead Teacher of the Year Award

HFC alumna Sarah Kdouh (pronounced “Kay-Do”) is one of five educators in the Dearborn Public Schools honored at the 2026 Alberta Muirhead Teacher of the Year Students’ Choice Awards.

“This is such an honor,” said Kdouh. “The fact that families are able to submit their letters and share how much teachers impact their children is a beautiful compliment for all parties.”

Celebrating teachers who lead, inspire, and make a lasting difference

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

“Behind every successful student is a teacher who believed in them,” said Chamber President Kelli Vanden Bosch. “We are honored to host this event and celebrate those who lead, inspire, and make a lasting difference.”

A beautiful moment

Kdouh is one of two HFC graduates to win the Muirhead Award. The other is David Rochemont of Dearborn High School. Kdouh, who teaches first grade at Salina Elementary School, was honored for the pre-kindergarten through second grade category.

One of her nominators wrote: “This teacher is very generous and kind. She has the most loving heart and helps the community just as much as she helps in her classroom. She makes the kids in her class feel safe, loved, important, and smart. No matter what, she doesn’t give up.”

Kdouh was honored to be considered.

“I have been nominated every year since becoming a teacher,” she said. “I tagged along with my colleagues as an opportunity to show my support for all those who were also nominated. As they began reading the letter at the ceremony, I listened to the beginning and thought, ‘That sounds like a really good teacher!’ As they continued reading and mentioned specific things I do in my classroom, I thought to myself, ‘Is this me?’ When my name was called, it was truly a beautiful moment!”

A model teacher who sees what others might miss

A lifelong Dearborn resident, Kdouh is the fifth of six children and speaks fluent Arabic. After graduating from Fordson High School, Kdouh enrolled at HFC, where her four older siblings had also attended. She earned an associate degree in pre-elementary education. After graduation from HFC, she transferred to the University of Michigan-Dearborn, where she earned both a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in educational leadership.

“Sarah Kdouh sees what others might miss: The brilliance and potential in every child. As a true partner to parents, she believes there are no barriers, only opportunities waiting to unfold. Her classroom radiates joy, curiosity, and deep learning. She is, simply put, a model teacher,” said Salina Principal Susan Stanley.

Kdouh’s nephew inspired her to become a teacher.

“He needed help with his homework assignment when he was in first grade, and I was happy to guide him,” she recalled. “The moment he understood how to answer the question, his eyes lit up and I saw how he connected to what I was teaching him. I knew I wanted to see that look on the face of every student who entered my classroom!”

She spoke about why she began her college education at HFC.

“HFC prepared me for everything college-related. All of the prerequisite classes encouraged me to do better and aim high. I wanted to ensure I pursued every opportunity to expand my knowledge in the field,” said Kdouh. “Dearborn Mathematics Coordinator Terri Faitel helped me understand the importance of the education program and how to properly teach students while supporting their needs. She taught the mathematics methods courses for elementary teachers during the time I attended HFC.”

Kdouh has been teaching for six years at Salina.

“I enjoy building connections with students and their families and watching them learn at their own pace,” she said. “The hardest part is knowing how much attention each student deserves and wanting to meet all of their needs at once. It’s a constant reminder to be patient, intentional, and to keep growing, so I can show up for them in the best way.”

Kdouh continued: “It is an honor to teach, support, and love every student who enters my classroom. I want to be the best teacher I can for my students, making learning meaningful, building strong relationships, and helping each child reach their full potential. In the future, I hope to grow into a role where I can support other teachers and have a broader impact on student success beyond my own classroom.”