Building Stronger Communities Together

Our teachers should be recognized more often for their hard work and commitment to making a difference in their students' lives. Highline invites you to nominate someone you feel deserves to be recognized as a Teacher of the Month. Winning teachers will receive a gift card.

October Teacher Of The Month

Larry LaBonte, 4th & 5th Grade Teacher for 36 years at North Central Schools in Hermansville. Mr. LaBonte teaches 4th and 5th-grade math and science, and 4th-grade reading.

His favorite part of teaching is watching how much the kids grow and learn throughout the year. He enjoys teaching science because of all the fun lessons with robotics and S.T.E.M. stuff that takes them out of the book and into hands-on projects and activities.

Every other year, he and his class go to Mackinaw Island, which is a challenge. They fundraise all year to raise the $5000+ with their fruit sale around Christmas time and other ways. So, if there is a company or individual that would like to contribute, please contact Mr. LaBonte or North Central Elementary School.

Mr. LaBonte’s favorite part of the day is in the morning when the kids come in saying good morning with high fives and tapping knuckles.

He has a special message for anyone thinking about a career in education, “If you have the passion, please do, because we need good teachers. It is so much more rewarding,

it is a lot of work at times, but the upside is so much better than the downside, it’s worth it.”

Mr. LaBonte told us his science teacher, Mr. Grimes, inspired him to become a teacher. There was something about the way he taught that always stuck out to him. He always had a saying above his board, “Grades are earned, not given”. Mr. Grimes was

challenging yet fair. As his student you knew that if you put the time and effort into your work, you would get what you earned.

Outside of school he is an Eagle’s Club member, he likes to travel, and spends a lot of time with his Dad.

A few words from his nominator: “He is an all around great teacher he goes out of his way for his students he comes to work early and he is always one of the last to leave at night he taught my 3 kids in school when he first got into teaching he was great then and even better now he is now teaching 2 of my grand kids with another 4 grand kids coming up he loves what he does it shows.”

Mr. LaBonte, you must be doing something right! You’re following in your mentors’ steps by guiding your students every way you can. Please tell a teacher “Thank you”—and please tell Mr. Larry LaBonte THANK YOU, for all his hard work and dedication to his students for the last 36 years.

To nominate a teacher for Teacher of the Month, please go to: https://highlinefast.com/highlinecares

Please join us in congratulating Highline Fiber's October Teacher of the Month, Ashley Reed! Thank you for your dedication, hard work, and positive impact on your students and community! Thomaston-Upson Schools

Our first responders should be recognized for their dedication and commitment to public safety in our communities. Highline invites you to nominate someone you feel deserves to be recognized as a First Responder of the Month. Winning nominees will receive a gift card.

Congratulations to Kaleb Powell, EUP’s First Responder of the Month!

Originally from Southwest Michigan, Officer Powell joined Manistique Public Safety as a sworn officer in August 2022. With a strong background in Fire and EMS since 2014, he’s passionate about serving the community. 
Before joining MPS, he worked with Columbus Fire in McMillan and served as a Cardiac Rehab Coordinator at Helen Newberry Joy Hospital, where he also completed his EMT certification. He has always enjoyed helping others.
Off duty, he’s all about family. He and his wife enjoy disc golfing, biking, and spending quality time with their two young children. 

We appreciate your commitment to ensuring the safety of our communities. Thank you, Officer Powell!