A Dakota High School educator known as an advocate for students has been given the Excellence In Education award from the Michigan Lottery. Stephanie Lange is the latest winner of the award, which recognizes the outstanding contributions of public school educators during the school year throughout Michigan.
Lange said after she learned she had won that she began a career in education after a surprise request. She wasn’t planning a career in education and was working as the clinical director at a small Mount Clemens agency before the school district contacted her to help create a new student assistance program.
She was nominated for the Excellence In Education award by a colleague, who says the Student Assistant Specialist at the Chippewa Valley School District high school cares deeply for her students. “Stephanie gives so much of herself to the kids through her dedication to teaching,” said her colleague.
Lange graduated from Oakland University, earned a master’s degree from the University of Michigan, and has 24 years as an educator in her current position. As the weekly award winner, she received a $1,500 cash prize and a $500 grant to their school district. In addition, one of this year’s weekly winners will be chosen as Educator of the Year, which awards them a $10,000 prize.
Winners are also featured in news segments on Michigan Lottery media partner TV stations, including WXYZ in Detroit, WNEM in Saginaw and others.
Educators nominated for the Excellence in Education award are evaluated on the following standards:
Excellence – Consistently working to help students and schools advance levels of academic achievement.
Dedication – Consistently going above and beyond to help students be successful.
Leadership – Demonstrating clear leadership skills in their current position with their schools.
Inspiration – Inspiring others to exceed their academic and professional expectations.
Effectiveness – Their work has had clear and positive results in advancing the education of students within their schools or school district.
All K-12 public school employees in Michigan can be nominated for the Excellence In Education award. To nominate an educator for the award during the 2022-2023 school year, go to the MichiganLottery.com website and complete the nomination form with the educator’s first and last name and an explanation for why you think they deserve to win the award.
