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Saginaw Valley State University

October 29, 2026

SVSU announces Cohort 20 of the Gerstacker Fellowship Program

men and women lined up on two levels

Saginaw Valley State University has welcomed the newest class of K-12 educational leaders into the Gerstacker Fellowship Program, marking the program’s 20th cohort.

The Gerstacker Fellowship is a yearlong leadership development experience designed to serve two purposes: provide advanced leadership development for a select group of outstanding teachers and administrators each year and build a growing cadre of educational leaders across Michigan who can strengthen the quality of K-12 education in the communities they serve.

Throughout the year, Gerstacker Fellows participate in intensive learning experiences focused on leadership development, organizational culture, communication, educational policy, decision-making and global perspectives in education. The program is designed not only to strengthen individual leadership capacity, but also to develop a statewide network of educational leaders committed to improving schools and supporting one another throughout their careers.

A signature component of the Fellowship is its international study experience. In spring 2027, Cohort 20 will travel to Sweden, Finland and Estonia, where Fellows will visit schools, universities and cultural institutions while examining different approaches to education, leadership, teaching and learning. The international experience gives participants a chance to compare educational systems and consider how ideas and practices from other countries may inform their leadership work in Michigan.

“Reaching Cohort 20 is an important milestone for the Gerstacker Fellowship,” said Matt Schmidt, director of the program. “For two decades, this program has brought together talented educational leaders who are willing to challenge their thinking, learn from one another and grow in their ability to lead. Just as importantly, the Fellowship continues to build a network of leaders across Michigan who can support one another and positively influence the schools and communities they serve.”

The 2026-27 Gerstacker Fellows are:

  • Jason Bannister, principal, Kentwood Public Schools
  • Leah Barnett, instructional coach, Clarenceville Schools
  • Brandy Butcher, principal, Haslett Public Schools
  • Karen Fisher, principal, South Lyon Community Schools
  • Anthony Gates, director of special education, Midland Public Schools
  • Sarah Gibson, director of instruction, Iosco Regional Educational Service Agency
  • Troy Kilgus, secondary instructional coach, Standish-Sterling Community Schools
  • Dan Mooney, principal, Rochester Community Schools
  • Jennifer Nichols, executive director of state & federal programs and professional development, Saginaw Public Schools
  • Fawn Phillips, secondary instructional coach, Clarkston Community Schools
  • Emily Sanders, instructional coach, Meridian Public Schools
  • Amanda Steinbauer, instructional services director, AuGres-Sims School District 

Established in 2005 with a $1.5 million endowment from the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation of Midland, the Fellowship was created to develop educational leaders to strengthen K-12 education throughout Michigan.

In 2011, recognizing the success of the Fellowship and the importance of sustaining leadership development beyond the initial program year, the Gerstacker Foundation committed an additional $1 million endowment to support advanced leadership opportunities for program graduates.

Since its creation, the Gerstacker Fellowship has supported more than 200 educational leaders from school districts and intermediate school districts across Michigan. Fellows have gone on to serve in a wide range of leadership roles, including superintendents, principals, directors and other district-level positions.