Meet

DAYNA

Dayna Polehanki, a high school teacher for nearly 20 years, has proudly served in the Michigan Senate since 2019 and was appointed the Majority Caucus Chairwoman.

Known as a champion for public education, she is a two-time New Haven Community Schools Teacher of the Year and holds the gavel as Chairwoman of the powerful Senate Education Committee.

Dayna graduated from Central Michigan University and has a master's degree in teaching. She lives in Livonia with her husband Jim, a manager at Ford Motor Company.

Achievements and Accolades

• Two-time "Teacher of the Year" at New Haven Community Schools

• Majority Caucus Chairwoman - Michigan Senate

• 2025 Appointed to Education Commission of the States by Governor Whitmer

• 2025 Humane Society of Huron Valley Legislator of the Year

• 2024 Outstanding Government Official Award - Michigan Association of School Librarians

• 2023 Alumni Hall of Fame Recipient - Flushing High School

• 2023 Michigan School Counselor Association Legislator of the Year

• 2023 Brandi Award - Animal Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan

• 2022 Honorary Degree in Applied Arts and Sciences - Schoolcraft College

• 2022 Distinguished Government Service Award - Ohio-Michigan Association of

  Career Colleges and Schools

• 2021 MACUL and AT&T “Excellence in Education” Legislative Award

• 2021 Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine “Legislative Leadership” Award

• 2019 Child’s Hope “Child Advocate of the Year” Legislative Award