Congratulations to Chandra Bonnau, Mixter Institute for Transition, Lincoln Park Public Schools

Giroux Pappas Trial Attorneys, a personal injury law firm serving clients in Michigan is pleased to announce the Exceptional Educator for May is Chandra Bonnau. Ms Bonnau is a teacher of the cognitively impaired, working with students aged 18-26 in a center-based program at the Mixtar Institute for Transition, Lincoln Park Public Schools.

Ms. Bonnau has developed a unique entrepreneurial-based program that combines basic horticulture skills with real-life experiences in producing, creating and marketing food crops for student tastings, sales at local farmers markets and through a school-based store.

Ms. Bonnau also creates with her special needs students various crafts revolving around flowers cultivated in their hoophouse and growing beds around campus, selling them at a market stand designed and built by students. With this, she is able to introduce the entrepreneurial skills of product development, pricing, and sales, with proceeds funneling back into the program for future events. The innovative and creative work centering around these project-based initiatives are truly special, and ones that students may exhibit in their futures in work environments.

Ms. Bonnau has taken her students to various educational conferences, setting up a mini-station to sell their wares and present their ideas of project-based instruction to other educators in order to impart others with the desire to form programs like hers for the benefit of special needs students throughout Michigan.

The work that Chandra Bonnau continues to do each year for her students in Lincoln Park is truly inspiring,

Giroux Pappas created the Exceptional Educator Program and partners with WXYZ to gather nominations for educators in the area that go above and beyond for their students. Giroux Pappas launched the program in January 2022 to give back to the community it serves and has recognized and donated $1000 to school each month since.

To nominate a teacher who inspires their students and goes out of their way, visit the Exceptional Educator page on the Giroux Pappas Trial Attorneys’ website.