Michelle Dohrmann was 6 years old when she decided what she wanted to do with her life: teach. Her father hung a chalkboard in the family basement and she practiced teaching imaginary students.
Now, 23 years after taking on her dream job, Dohrmann has been named one of four finalists for the 2025 Ohio Teacher of the Year Award. And, most importantly, she still believes teaching is the best job in the world.
Dohrmann starts her school day with the music cranked up loud. Before her students arrive, Dohrmann can be found in her classroom at West Clermont High School, jamming to classic songs like Naked Eyes’ cover of “Always Something There to Remind Me” and Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me).”
“Whitney gets me going,” she said.
As the bell rings and their students shuffle into their classroom, they drop their bags and head back into the hallway. Dohrmann joins them, and the entire class says “Good morning” and “Happy Friday” to the students who walk by during recess.
“She makes everyone feel welcome,” senior Brooklynn Jeffre said of Dohrmann.
Dohrmann begins her class with a warm-up exercise where she asks each student how they are doing. The children give her a number on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being great, and ask her to share something that is on their mind or something they are excited about.
“It simply gives people the opportunity to settle in, to think about where they are and to talk about things that are important to them,” Dohrmann said.
Addressing the teacher shortage by motivating students
Teaching is about building strong connections, Dohrmann said. She’s done that with the children and families in West Clermont, where she’s spent her entire career. During that time, she’s seen the teaching profession change and a worrying teacher shortage emerge. So two years ago, she set a new goal: to teach kids what it takes to be teachers themselves.
More: How much does your school district pay teachers? Average salaries in southwest Ohio are $40,000
Students in the Dohrmann Teacher Academy program take educational courses during the school day and may participate in an internship program in their senior year, shadowing a teacher in the district to gain more teaching experience. The district hopes the program will produce strong educators who will one day return to West Clermont as teachers.
It’s clear from her classroom walls that Dohrmann is the best person to convey that passion for education. Her walls are filled with photos and artwork from her students, alongside Ohio teaching standards and inspirational quotes.
“I think this is the greatest job in the world,” said Dohrmann. “I think there is nothing better than being there for young people, than working with them every day and hearing what is important to them.”
Riley Wilson, a senior who has had Dohrmann as a teacher for three years, said she hopes to one day have as much of a positive influence as Dohrmann.
“I want to be a teacher who makes children happy to come to class,” Wilson said.
Emily Johnston, another senior, said she was nervous about joining the Teacher Academy at first because she didn’t know anyone in the class. But “in no time,” she said, Dohrmann made her feel comfortable.
“I always look forward to coming to this class,” Johnston said. Dohrmann “is always smiling and always makes sure everyone is included.”
