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Marianne Novak-Houston (MI ’93) passed away on August 23, 2026. At the time of her Milken Educator Award, she was a teacher at Vicksburg Middle School in Vicksburg, Michigan, enjoying a career spanning first grade through higher education. Born in Joliet, Illinois, Novak-Houston considered herself a teacher since age 7, identifying her younger siblings and friends as her first students. Throughout her 50-plus years of dedication to teaching, students remained her focus. She was known to believe that the best teachers are led by their students. She welcomed their intellectual curiosity and willingness to be champions of their learning.

Novak-Houston also valued teacher collaboration and reflection, often in a retreat setting. Long after her retirement, she continued leading retreats. Joined by colleagues at The John Fetzer Institute, she co-developed the nationally recognized program Courage to Teach in 1995, and facilitated personal and professional renewal retreats from 1996 to 2023 across the U.S. and in Canada, Singapore, Australia, Haiti, and Costa Rica.

Houston is survived by her husband of 58 years, Jim, sons James Houston (Hallie DeMarco) and Benjamin Houston (Sarah Kaylor), and six grandchildren.