A Manistee County educator known for her love of teaching and her students has been honored with an Excellence In Education award from the Michigan Lottery.
The award winner, McAnn Bradford, is a second-grade teacher with Manistee Area 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 plaque, a $1,500 cash prize, and a $500 grant to their classroom, school, or school district. One of the weekly winners will be selected as the Educator of the Year 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, and WNEM-TV in Saginaw. The news segment featuring Bradford will air this evening.
Bradford says that she wanted to be a teacher for as long as she can remember.
“When I was a child, if we got to pick out a toy at the toy store, I always chose a planner or notebook. Playing school and pretending to be a teacher was always one of my favorite activities. Teaching came naturally to me, and I am so happy to have a career that I love and be able to make an impact on children’s’ lives.”
Bradford says reading to her students is one of her favorite activities.
“Reading is so important, and I enjoy reading to my students each day. When they come in from recess, they are so energetic, so we take 20 minutes each day to read after lunch and settle back into learning for the afternoon. It’s a great way to share my love of books with my students!”
Bradford was nominated by the parent of a former student. The nomination cited her perseverance during a challenging year and her dedication to students.
“Mrs. Bradford is loved by every student, teacher, staff member, and parent that is lucky enough to meet her. She is not only kind, understanding, and fair but she puts her love for her students and teaching above everything. This past year was a rough one for Mrs. Bradford with multiple trips to the hospital and countless touch and go situations that we were not sure she would come out of. She is so committed to her students that she made it her goal to be better by the first day of school this year, and she was! Mrs. Bradford deserves this recognition and award because she is simply the essence of what a teacher should be. You are loved Mrs. Bradford! Thank you for all you did for my Emma and for every student you have taught.”
Bradford earned a bachelor’s degree from Aquinas College and a master’s degree from Michigan State University. She has been an educator for 29 years, the last five 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.
