Lottery Commissioner, Suzanna Shkreli (left), presenting Dawn Little (right) with Excellence in Education check

A Monroe County educator known for approaching everyday with kindness and enthusiasm has been honored with an Excellence In Education award from the Michigan Lottery.

The award winner, Dawn Little, is an elementary resource room teacher at North Elementary. The school is part of the Jefferson School District.

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 Little will air this evening.

“As soon as I met Dawn, I could feel the enthusiasm and energy she brings to her classroom every day,” said Lottery Commissioner, Suzanna Shkreli. “Listening to her tell stories about her classroom, she has a deep connection with each of her students. Her passion for her career drives her to be an excellent educator, and she is most deserving of this recognition.”

Little says former teachers and a classmate motivated her to pursue a career as an educator.

“I was the kid that played school at home. During first grade, I decided I wanted to be a teacher. I had a classmate with Down syndrome, and he continued to be in my class throughout elementary school. I enjoyed working with him and I wanted to have a job that made me that happy every day. In third grade, instead of going to recess, I would go down to the early childhood special education classroom and volunteer. Some days it would be just playing during their center time or helping with snack. I have had some amazing teachers throughout my schooling, and they inspired me to be a teacher so I can make students feel the same way they made me feel.”

No two days are the same, according to Little.

“We don’t just teach academics. We are addressing social and emotional situations daily, building confidence, listening to student problems and concerns, helping them work through situations that have nothing to do with academics. We are spending a majority of our day with these kids, and they are more than just students to us. No two days are the same.”

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

“Ms. Little is the perfect example of an elementary school teacher. The kindness and enthusiasm she shows her students is one of the many reasons she has made a difference in my child’s education. As the resource room teacher, Ms. Little tackles challenges that not all teachers are required to face. My child has an IEP and depends on his teachers more than the others. Ms. Little has been pivotal in my son’s education, and we are so thankful to her. It takes a special teacher to guide students with learning disabilities and she is amazing. I remember this year’s fourth-grade open house and as we walked in the school her bright and friendly smile made us feel welcomed. Ms. Little has changed our lives, and we are so grateful!”

Little earned a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University. She has worked in education for 10 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.