A Kent County educator known for being a leader in her school and community has been honored with an Excellence in Education award from the Michigan Lottery.

The award winner, Kathy Vogel, is middle school English language arts teacher at Northview Crossroads Middle School. The school is part of the Northview 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 Vogel will air this evening.

“Throughout Kathy Vogel’s career as an educator she has inspired countless students and colleagues to achieve their maximum potential,” said Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli. “Her work to help those she comes in with be their best selves has had a tremendous impact on in her school and the Northville community.”

Vogel said she knew from a young age that she wanted to be an educator.

“Growing up I always knew that I was destined to pursue a career in education. The real question wasn’t if I would teach but who i would teach. My mom recognized in my personality that I was more suited to teach older students because of their wit and curiosity. I was attracted to that challenge and have learned that education is more about building relationships and not just teaching content.”

Vogel was nominated for the award by the parent of a former student.

“For as long as I’ve known her, Kathy Vogel has packed a personal agenda along with her lunch for school every day. Tucked alongside lesson plans and seating charts is an unspoken goal of enriching not only the minds of her students, but their hearts as well. Kathy’s subtle, yet infectious methods, imitated by fellow staff, parents, and community, have established our middle school as an enviable beacon of character development within our district and beyond. We are united in crediting Kathy alone – an optimistic, hardworking “personality plus” dynamo – for leading us from sidelines iration to cautious participation to full blown embrace of her successful mission to graduate young adults capable not only academically, but in the art of being better human beings. An open invitation to Kathy’s classroom exists for students uncomfortable with the turbulent lunchroom. It’s a peaceful, welcoming haven for those needing that respite. Kathy’s efforts to spotlight hidden talent, nurture unrealized goals, and advocate for the voiceless began to attract imitation from staff.”

Vogel earned a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University, and master’s degrees from Grand Valley State University and Michigan State University. She has been an educator for 35 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.