Michigan Lottery Connect

Acting Lottery Commissioner, Joe Froehlich, presents Lori Matthews with her Excellence in Education check.

A Monroe County educator who is known for inspiring curiosity, critical thinking, and a genuine love of learning in her students has been honored with an Excellence In Education award from the Michigan Lottery.

The award winner, Lori Matthews, is a science teacher at Summerfield Junior/Senior High School. The school is part of Summerfield 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 Matthews will air this evening.

Matthews said helping her students realize their potential is what inspires her each day.

“There is an amazing moment when a student ‘gets’ a concept. In addition to that I want to help students become better people and move from high school into the world with an attitude that they can do hard things and they can succeed. I hold my students to high standards because I want them to work hard to get better than they were the day before. I love knowing that I get a chance to impact lives for the better every day and help them become strong, independent, and productive members of the world they live in. I also was a stay-at-home mom for 10 years and that proved to be an invaluable experience. I had to leave education to take care of our lifelong medical child. He taught me so much but mostly gave me a real-life experience that all students can succeed. We are taught that as teachers, but it means a little more when you experience it first-hand. It doesn’t mean that they all can get As, but they all can learn how to manage life, communicate, be a part of a group and contribute to the world they live in. When I went back to teaching after he passed, I took those lessons with me and I see my students as I think all teachers are meant to. I want them to accomplish all their dreams and make them a reality. I want them to find what makes them the happiest in the world and be able to make that their life. I hope that the part I play for just a small portion of their life inspires them to reach all the dreams that they have.”

Matthews was nominated for the award by a colleague.

“In the relatively short time I have had the privilege of working with her, Lori Matthews has consistently demonstrated the qualities of an outstanding educator—one who not only teaches content but inspires curiosity, critical thinking, and a genuine love of learning in her students. Lori holds her students to high academic standards while simultaneously recognizing and honoring the diverse learning needs present in her classroom. She challenges students to stretch their thinking, ask meaningful questions, and engage deeply with scientific concepts rather than simply memorizing information. At the same time, she skillfully differentiates instruction to ensure that all learners—regardless of ability level or learning style—have access to the curriculum and the opportunity to succeed. This balance of rigor and support reflects both her instructional expertise and her deep commitment to student growth.

“One of Lori’s greatest strengths is her ability to make biology come alive through hands-on, experiential learning. She understands that science is best learned by doing, and she intentionally designs lessons that allow students to explore, experiment, and apply their knowledge in real-world contexts. A prime example of this is her leadership of the school’s biodome project. Through this initiative, Lori has created a unique learning environment where students can observe ecosystems, conduct experiments, and develop a deeper understanding of biological systems. The biodome is not only an instructional tool but a testament to Lori’s creativity, initiative, and dedication to innovative teaching practices.”

Matthews earned a bachelor’s degree from Hope College. She has been an educator for 15 years, the last two 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.