SOE Alum and Graduate Student Recognized for Outstanding Service

Devon Banks, a UM-Dearborn alumnus with a degree in elementary education, and a graduate student in the School of Education in the Master of Arts of Educational Leadership (MAEL) graduate degree program working toward his K-12 School Principal Certificate, was recently recognized for his exceptional voluntary service to the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield, MI. Devon, who played on the University of Michigan-Dearborn basketball team during his undergraduate years, has coached several athletic teams for the Center working with students in the evenings and on weekends. He was honored for his service to the community and its children.

Devon has taught at Doherty Elementary School in West Bloomfield, and he is currently working on his administrative internship at Sandburg Elementary School in Waterford.  Devon combines his love of athletics with his passion for education: “I enjoy coaching not only because of my love for the game of basketball, but also because it allows me to teach the young men and women to be persons with pride, dignity, respect, and accountability. I emphasize the importance of education while I coach, and it gives me great satisfaction to see many of my players change for the better, with respect to skills, habits of mind, and character.” Please join me in congratulating this exceptional young man for his dedication to the education of youngsters in Southeastern Michigan and on his being recognized for his service to the community.