Lottery Commissioner, Suzanna Shkreli, presents Erik Smith with his Excellence in Education check.

An Eaton County educator who is known for giving back to the community that he was raised in has been honored with an Excellence In Education award from the Michigan Lottery.

The award winner, Erik Smith, is a high school business and media teacher and coach at Eaton Rapids High School. The school is part of Eaton Rapids Public Schools.

The Michigan Lottery established theExcellence 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 Smith will air this evening.

“Mr. Smith’s positive energy and attitude profoundly impact his students every day,” said Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli. “His dedication goes far beyond the classroom, as he coaches throughout the year to help students realize their full potential.”

Smith said his father inspired him to become an educator.

“My dad was a teacher, and I had some other really awesome teachers growing up. I enjoy seeing students succeed. In my role, it’s important to understand that success looks different for each student and work with students to figure out where they can personally succeed and grow. Seeing that success is incredibly rewarding.”

Smith was nominated for the award by his father.

“Erik is in his 19th year of teaching, all at Eaton Rapids High School. He graduated from ERHS in 1998 and decided he wanted to give back to the community that gave him so much as he grew. He has taught many subjects throughout the years, but his development of Studio 143 exemplifies his dedication to his students. Studio 143 produces a daily school news program that is broadcast throughout the school. Students get to write, produce and present the highlights of the school day and after school activities. Students co-host the program and gain valuable on-air experience. Studio 143 also produces a monthly program that features students interviewing participants in school activities. Reporters and camera operators go on location present segments for presentation on an expanded news program. Many students want to take this elective class and there’s always a waiting list. Erik also teaches an Advanced Digital media class. This class allows students to develop ideas through scripts and then through filming and present their work in short films. Erik is also the teacher editor of the school’s newspaper, The Bark. He also finds time to coach football, basketball and track at Eaton Rapids Public Schools. The students show their appreciation by packing his classroom during lunch as he promotes a feel-good attitude.”

Smith earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and a master’s degree from Aquinas College. He has been an educator for 19 years, the last 16 in his current positions.

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.