Three inducted into Tech’s Academy of Educators

HOUGHTON — Michigan Technological University recently inducted two alumni and one honorary member into the Academy of Educators.

During ceremonies held Oct. 3, Darrell R. Hendrickson and Charles G. Shepke, along with Honorary Member Dennis Harbour were inducted as the Class of 2015.

Hendrickson, is a Michigan Tech Alumnus who earned a bachelor’s degree in forestry in 1977. After working for the National Park Service on Isle Royale, he returned to Michigan Tech, receiving his teaching certification in 2001. As a teacher at the Washington Middle School in Calumet, he started stewardship projects and helped to resurrect the school forest. He has added environmental learning and stewardship projects to enrich the science curriculum in the C-L-K schools. Hendrickson has been recognized and honored by several organizations including the Michigan Alliance of Environmental and Outdoor Education.

Charles Schepke received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Oakland University, a secondary teaching certificate from Wayne State and a Master’s in Applied Science Education from Michigan Tech.

He began his teaching career in 1994 as an eighth grade science teacher in Houghton Lake. Two years later went to Grayling High School where he taught biology, environmental science, general science, geology and applied physics. At Grayling he was awarded the Michigan Association of School Boards Educational Excellence Award for Principles of Technology, an applied physics course he developed. In 2002 he joined the staff at Roscommon Middle/High School where he currently serves as a fifth through eighth grade teacher. In 2013, he was named the Michigan Earth Science Teachers Association Earth Science Teacher of the Year for the State of Michigan.

Harbour, a Copper Country native, spent most of his 40-plus year career in education in the Keweenaw. He has served as a principle first at the Chassell Township Schools and then at the Houghton-Portage Township Schools where he went on to serve as superintendent for 19 years. He concluded his career as superintendent of the Copper Country Intermediate School District. Harbour has served on numerous state and regional boards including the Michigan Tech President’s Advisory Committee and as president of the Michigan Association of School Administrators.

The Academy of Educators, established in 2005, gives public recognition to alumni who have brought distinction to themselves, Michigan Tech and the Teacher Education Program, through their participation, commitment, outstanding leadership and/or public service in the field of education.

Honorary members are those who did not receive a degree or teaching certification from Tech, but who have contributed significantly to teacher education at the University or to the field of education in general.