Lottery Commissioner, Suzanna Shkreli, presents Becca Drozd with her Excellence in Education check.

An Allegan County educator who is known as a compassionate leader in her district has been honored with an Excellence In Education award from the Michigan Lottery.

The award winner, Becca Drozd, is a School Psychologist with the Hopkins 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, WLUC in Marquette, WNEM-TV in Saginaw, and WWTV-TV in Traverse City. The news segment featuring Drozd will air this evening.

“As a school psychologist, Ms. Drozd’s work has a deep and profound impact on the students and staff in the Hopkins Public Schools district,” said Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli. “Her dedication to ensuring all students have the support they need and feel a sense of belonging will positively impact students and their families for years to come.”

Drozd said she always wanted to work with children to make them feel loved and supported.

“I have always been drawn to working with kids and am passionate about helping them feel loved and confident. Working in education gives me the opportunity to foster and support children, while also partnering with families and the community. I am passionate about advocating for students with disabilities and making sure they receive the support they need to thrive without sacrificing their sense of belonging and pride in who they are. What keeps me going are the moments when, after a lot of problem-solving and adjusting, a student finally starts to grow and believe in themselves.”

Drozd was nominated for the award by the district’s special education director.

“As a dedicated and highly skilled school psychologist, Rebecca exemplifies the qualities of a committed educator and compassionate leader. She consistently exceeds expectations, making a lasting and meaningful impact on students, families, and colleagues alike. Rebecca is deeply committed to supporting all students in our district. She is consistently available to her colleagues, offering her expertise through observations, brainstorming sessions, and active listening. Rebecca has a remarkable ability to read a room and meet people where they are, ensuring her approach is always thoughtful and intentional. Her unwavering support makes her an invaluable resource to those who she works with. Her work with families is equally commendable. Rebecca builds strong, trusting relationships with parents, particularly during difficult conversations. She offers thoughtful guidance and resources to help families navigate the Special Education Evaluation Process, which can often be emotional and challenging. Most importantly, Rebecca sees students with disabilities as whole people with endless potential. She recognizes their interests, strengths, and abilities, and is a steadfast advocate for them, working to improve the systems around them to create a more inclusive and empowering environment.”

Drozd earned a bachelor’s degree from Hope College and a master’s degree from the University of Detroit Mercy. She has been an educator for nine years, the last six 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.