An Ingham County educator known for making her students feel valued and loved has been honored with an Excellence In Education award from the Michigan Lottery.

The award winner, Michaela Norman, is a first-grade teacher at Donley Elementary. The school is part of the East Lansing Public Schools.

The Michigan Lottery established the Excellence In Education awards in 2014 to recognize outstanding public-school educators across the state during the school year.

Winners of the weekly award receive a $2,000 cash prize. At the end of the school year, one of the weekly award winners will be selected to receive the Lottery’s Educator of the Year award and will receive a $10,000 cash prize.

Each winner also is featured in a news segment on the Lottery’s media partner stations: WXYZ-TV in Detroit, FOX 17 in Grand Rapids, FOX 47 in Lansing, WNEM-TV in Saginaw, and WWTV-TV in Traverse City. The news segment featuring Norman will air this evening.

“Michaela Norman is the perfect example of what it means to be an excellent educator,” said Lottery Commissioner, Suzanna Shkreli. “Her ion for her students is clear and she regularly goes above and beyond to make sure each of her students has the tools they need to excel in her classroom and beyond. Her approach to instilling a love of literacy in her students and fulfilling their individual needs is inspiring.”

Norman says she always dreamed of being a teacher.

“Some children go through stages of wanting to be a prima ballerina, cowboy, space ranger, but I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. My childhood friends can attest to being repeatedly asked to play school, specifically letters and building words. I can’t a time when I didn’t want to be a teacher. I have always loved reading, it’s a safe space that allows you to travel to the past, future, and to worlds that you can only dream of while never leaving the comfort of your home or classroom. The idea of sharing that escape and providing a safe place where everyone feels like they belong is something that I just needed to be a part of.”

Norman was nominated for the award by a colleague.

“Michaela Norman is a superior educator who continues to push herself to use the most current research-based resources and practices. She has worked tirelessly to ensure that all students see themselves represented within the literature in our schools. Michaela collaborates with numerous groups in the community to provide opportunities for our students. Her ability to make every student who has been in her classroom feel valued and loved is unmatched. She is often requested by families to have her teach all the children in their family because of her connection with students and partnership with families. Mrs. Norman frequently works with all stakeholders in her student’s education to ensure their needs are met. Michaela s her students in whatever ways are needed. Some students need extra supplies, snacks, a hug, or even someone to watch their soccer game on the weekend. She will fulfill those needs for her students because she knows that her students need her for more than just academics.”

Norman earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Michigan State University. She has been an educator for 15 years, all in her current position.

Excellence in Education award nominees are evaluated on the following criteria:

• Excellence – Their work consistently helps students and/or their schools or school districts advance to higher levels of academic achievement.
• Dedication – They consistently go above and beyond expectations to help students succeed.
• Inspiration – Their work inspires others around them to exceed expectations either academically or professionally.
• Leadership – They demonstrate clear leadership skills in their positions with their school or school districts.
• Effectiveness – The nominee’s work has clear and positive results on the educational advancement of students within the school or school district.