A Calhoun County educator known for building strong and meaningful relationships with each of her students has been honored with an Excellence In Education award from the Michigan Lottery.

The award winner, Jeannette Aerts, is a fourth-grade teacher at Minges Brook Elementary. The school is part of the Lakeview School District.

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 Aerts will air this evening.

“Jeanette Aerts is known in her school community as a teacher who is devoted to the success of students in all aspects of her career,” said Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli. “She creates a safe, inclusive space for her students, s them academically and emotionally, and is also a mentor to her colleagues. She is the perfect example of Excellence in Education, and I am honored to present her this award.”

Aerts says volunteering in her own child’s classroom led her to pursue a career in education.

“I was a volunteer in my child’s classroom, and a teacher thought I would be good at teaching. I was taking classes for ing but found myself changing my career choice to education. I love that I can make a difference in a child’s life. Seeing students reach their potential and boosting their self-esteem is rewarding.”

Aerts was nominated for the award by the principal of her school.

“Jeanette’s students consistently achieve some of the highest test scores in Calhoun County and surrounding areas, reflecting her dedication to academic rigor and student success. Beyond academic performance, Jeanette goes above and beyond to meet the diverse needs of her students. She is known for staying late at the school to refine her lessons, ensuring that they are not only engaging, but also tailored to the individual learning styles of her students. Her commitment to fostering an inclusive and ive classroom environment is evident in the way she prioritizes students’ well-being, helping each child build confidence and a love for learning. Jeanette is not only an outstanding educator but also a comionate, trauma-informed teacher who understands the importance of ing the whole child. She recognizes that many students face challenges outside the classroom, and she is dedicated to creating a safe, nurturing environment where all children feel valued and understood. Her trauma-informed approach ensures that her students’ emotional needs are addressed, allowing them to thrive both academically and personally. Jeanette’s love for her students is at the heart of everything she does.”

Aerts earned a bachelor’s degrees from Western Michigan University. She has been an educator for 27 years, the last year 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.