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Parents, students, school staff members, and others are encouraged to nominate outstanding public-school educators for the Michigan Lottery\u2019s 2022-23 Excellence in Education awards.\nAll public-school employees may be nominated for the awards, which recognize educators who go \u201cabove and beyond\u201d to make a difference in the lives of children. To nominate a public-school educator, go to https:\/\/www.michiganlottery.com\/excellence-in-education.
\nThe Michigan Lottery established the Excellence in Education awards in 2014 to recognize outstanding public-school educators across the state during the school year.
\nOne outstanding educator will be selected each week and will receive a $1,500 cash prize plus a $500 grant to their classroom, school or school district. One of the weekly award winners will be selected to receive the Lottery\u2019s Educator of the Year award and will receive a $10,000 cash prize.
\nEach winner also will receive a plaque and be featured in a news segment on the Lottery\u2019s media partner stations: WXYZ-TV in Detroit, FOX 17 in Grand Rapids, FOX 47 in Lansing, and WNEM-TV, Saginaw.
\nThe winner of the 2022 Educator of the Year award was Spencer Vanderheide. He is a high school teacher with Kenowa Hills High School, which is part of Kenowa Hills Public Schools.
\nHundreds of educators were nominated during the eighth year of the educational awards program and 34, including Vanderheide, were selected to win a weekly award.
\nPrevious winners of the Educator of the Year award:
\n\u2022 2021 \u2013 Janice Smith, a school social worker at Fisher Magnet Lower Academy in Detroit
\n\u2022 2020 \u2013 Megan Sidge, an Autism Spectrum Disorder teacher at Hickory Woods Elementary, which is part of the Walled Lake Consolidated Schools.
\n\u2022 2019 \u2013 Stewart Kieliszewski, an Earth science, biology, mechatronics, and media teacher for eighth through 12 graders at the Ubly Community Schools.
\n\u2022 2018 \u2013 Kerri Moccio, a literacy intervention specialist at Bedford Elementary School in Dearborn Heights
\n\u2022 2017 \u2013 Linda Holzwarth, a social studies teacher at Portage West Middle School in Portage
\n\u2022 2016 \u2013 Daniel Carr, a Spanish and sports marketing teacher at Waverly High School in Lansing
\n\u2022 2015 \u2013 Michael Craig, a special education teacher at the Charles Drew Transition Center in Detroit
\nExcellence in Education award nominees are evaluated on:
\n\u2022 Excellence \u2013 Their work consistently helps students and\/or their schools or school districts advance to higher levels of academic achievement.
\n\u2022 Dedication \u2013 They consistently go above and beyond expectations to help students succeed.
\n\u2022 Inspiration \u2013 Their work inspires others around them to exceed expectations either academically or professionally.
\n\u2022 Leadership \u2013 They demonstrate clear leadership skills in their positions with their school or school districts.
\n\u2022 Effectiveness \u2013 The nominee\u2019s work has clear and positive results on the educational advancement of students within the school or school district.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"