Lottery Spokesman, Jake Harris, presents Betty Clark (right) with her Excellence in Education check

A Wexford County educator who goes above and beyond for her students has been honored with an Excellence In Education award from the Michigan Lottery.

The award winner, Betty Clark, is a high school math teacher at Manton Consolidated 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 Clark will air this evening.

“Ms. Clark is known for creating fun and engaging ways to teach her students and she shows up not only in the classroom, but in her students’ extracurricular activities as well,” said Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli. “She is a dedicated educator who goes above and beyond, which makes her an exceptional candidate for the Excellence in Education award.”

Clark says her desire to spread the joy of learning led her pursue a career in education and her students are what keeps her going.

“I had phenomenal teachers for both math and physical education and because of them, I wanted to spread the joy of learning to all those I’d encounter. My students are what continues to drive me to be a teacher. They keep me going and because of them I thoroughly enjoy each day.”

Clark was nominated for the award by a student.

“Ms. Clark goes above and beyond while making precalculus so fun. She teaches with energy and joy.  Each year she spends countless hours creating an Amazing Race midterm. To end the year, she creates a race where we revisit all the math we have learned from kindergarten through 12th grade.  She also is responsible for making team diners for up to 70 athletes for the cross country and track team. She gives up the last week of summer vacation to be the team cook at cross country camp and even runs with the kids. Mrs. Clark is the best!”

Clark earned a bachelor’s degrees from Northern Michigan University. She has been an educator for 21 years, the last 13 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.