Michigan Lottery Connect

Acting Lottery Commissioner, Joe Froehlich, presents Jacob Dohrmann with his Excellence in Education check.

A Tuscola County educator who is known as a dynamic and passionate educator has been honored with an Excellence In Education award from the Michigan Lottery.

The award winner, Jacob Dohrmann, is a middle school STEAM teacher at Reese Middle School. The school is part of the Reese 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, WLUC in Marquette, WNEM-TV in Saginaw, and WWTV-TV in Traverse City. The news segment featuring Dohrmann will air this evening.

Dohrmann said his desire to make a difference in students’ lives attracted him to a career in education.

“I started out of high school working with migrant students for Reese Summer Migrant program. The program and the people were amazing to work with. I originally started college thinking I was going to be a meteorologist, but I felt a calling to help make a difference in students’ lives. The relationships and impact I’m able to be a part of with students drew me to pursue a career in education. Helping students realize their potential, exposing them to new opportunities, and being part of academic and extracurricular activities which open the world to students in our small community motivates me every day.”

Dohrmann was nominated for the award by the parent of a student and school board member.

“Mr. Dohrmann is a dynamic middle school STEAM educator whose enthusiasm and commitment consistently inspire students to pursue excellence across disciplines. As the founder of the ROVE student group, a K–12 STEM education club, he’s cultivated a space for curiosity and innovation. His involvement in the Reese Summer Migrant Program, coaching roles, and leadership as a school play director reflect his unwavering dedication to providing students with diverse, enriching opportunities, including access to the arts. Calling him passionate barely scratches the surface. One of the hallmarks of Mr. Dohrmann’s teaching is his ability to transform learning into joyful, hands-on experiences that spark genuine excitement for STEAM. Whether racing RC cars on weekends with kids, or if it’s trading quirky pins from his legendary fanny pack or tapping trees to make syrup for a celebratory pancake breakfast, his classroom is a place where creativity meets connection. Students light up around him energized, engaged, and eager to learn.”

Dohrrman earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Central Michigan University. He has been an educator for 25 years, the last three in his 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.