Michigan Lottery Connect

Acting Lottery Commissioner, Joe Froehlich, presents Olivia Vogl with her Excellence in Education check.

A Clinton County educator who is known for exhibiting compassion and love for each of her students has been honored with an Excellence In Education award from the Michigan Lottery.

The award winner, Olivia Vogl, is a fourth-grade teacher at Bath Elementary School. The school is part of the Bath Community 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 Vogl will air this evening.

Vogl said the idea of being a “light” to someone drove her to pursue a career in education.

“I think what drew me the most to education, or really being an educator, was just the idea of being that ‘light’ to someone. Education is wonderful, of course, but being a good role model is more important to me, as sometimes we forget that the integrity and character we have as people is also something important to learn. I had such a great upbringing, with my family and my older brothers, and not everyone has that. I feel very fortunate and lucky that I did. To be that person for someone is something special and I enjoy being able to be that person. We all have lulls in our profession. Getting a handwritten card with your two favorite colors, favorite animal and a quote you say all the time in class from a student? Really makes those lulls not seem so bad.”

Vogl was nominated for the award by the parent of a student.

“Mrs. Vogl goes out of her way to make sure each kid feels loved. My daughter was recently diagnosed with type-one diabetes. For her year anniversary, Mrs. Vogl had all the kids wear blue to show my daughter support. She knew my daughter had been struggling with medical burn out, so she threw a celebration party for her. I cannot tell you how that made my daughter feel. I believe Mrs. Vogl goes above and beyond for all her students and provides a safe and welcoming space for them. She has compassion and love for everyone. She teaches her kids to stand up for what’s right and she is a true leader in and out of her classroom. We know teachers do not make a lot, but she will go out of her way to spend money on her students if it means creating a fun and learning environment. For holiday parties, she makes sure she covers all the allergies so that all the kids can eat. We are so thankful to have a wonderful educator in the Bath school district.”

Vogl earned a bachelor’s degree from Ferris State University. She has been an educator for six years, the last four 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.