An Oakland County educator known for igniting passion in his students has been honored with an Excellence In Education award from the Michigan Lottery.

The award winner, Michael Egan, is a science teacher at Larson Middle School. The school is part of Troy 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, WNEM-TV in Saginaw, and WWTV-TV in Traverse City. The news segment featuring Egan will air this evening.

Egan says his curiosity and deep passion for learning drove him to a career in education.

“I have always possessed an insatiable curiosity and deep passion for learning. This is what drives me! Additionally, I have always sought to share this curiosity and passion for learning with others. As I grew, sharing this curiosity and passion naturally evolved into a love for teaching. I know firsthand the impact that a curious mind, caring heart, and love for learning can have on an individual and in turn the whole world. It is this truth which keeps me motivated as a teacher!”

Egan says he enjoys doing interactive and engaging activities with his students.

“One of my favorite activities that I do with my students, is an interpretive nature walk where we explore Michigan’s natural resources. Another activity we really enjoy together is evolving different gases via chemical reactions and then flame testing them. I also enjoy taking my students on annual tours of the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) at Michigan State University. This facility is a world class, state of the art Nuclear Astrophysics research institution which many of my former students have now spent time in engaging in various research programs.”

Egan earned a bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University and a master’s degree from Oakland University. He has been an educator for 17 years, the last eight 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.