A Washtenaw County educator who has made a profound impact on her students, their families, and the entire school community has been honored with an Excellence In Education award from the Michigan Lottery.

The award winner, Michelle Cox, is a Title I teacher and coordinator at Brick Elementary School. The school is part of Lincoln Consolidated Schools in Ypsilanti.

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 Cox will air this evening.

“STEM education is extremely important because it fosters crucial skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, and real-world application,” said Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli. “Michelle Cox has excelled in building STEM initiatives, which has positively impacted her school in countless ways. Her dedication to her students and school exemplifies what it means to be an excellent educator.”

Cox said a teacher she had in high school inspired her to become an educator.

“I was attracted to education because of a teacher I had in high school who made real connections with his students. He changed my school experience because he made me feel seen and heard, and I wanted to be able to do that for someone else.”

Cox was nominated for the award by a student and his parents.

“Michelle’s dedication to her students, families, and the entire school community is exemplary and makes a profound impact on the educational experience at Brick Elementary. As a Title I teacher, Michelle plays a crucial role in ing students from low-income backgrounds, helping them meet academic standards and fostering a love for learning. Her commitment extends far beyond her classroom; she serves as the Family Coordinator, ensuring that families are engaged and empowered to their children’s education. This includes collecting and distributing backpacks, coats, other winter gear, food pantry items, and after school for Brick families in need.

“One of Michelle’s most remarkable achievements has been her tireless work to build Brick Elementary’s STEM initiative. She was instrumental in securing National Institute for STEM Education (NISE) Certification, making Brick the only school in Michigan to hold this prestigious national STEM designation. The NISE certification includes hosting a STEM Career Day, and Michelle helped bring over 50 professionals to Brick, including an exciting helicopter landing, which left a lasting impression on students and sparked their curiosity about various STEM careers. This accomplishment not only enhances the school’s reputation but also provides students with unparalleled opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

“Michelle’s efforts have not gone unnoticed; she has actively shared Brick Elementary’s STEM initiatives on local radio, raising awareness and for the school’s programs. Through her visionary leadership, she has transformed Brick from a perceived ‘disadvantaged school’ into a thriving educational hub filled with opportunities for growth and development. Michelle Cox exemplifies the qualities of an extraordinary educator and community leader.”

Cox earned a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University. She has been an educator for 23 years, the last eight 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.