Acting Lottery Commissioner, Joe Froehlich, presents Bryeana Rinvelt with her Excellence in Education check.

A Cheboygan County educator who is known for helping her students become the best version of themselves has been honored with an Excellence In Education award from the Michigan Lottery.

The award winner, Bryeana Rinvelt, is a secondary math and STEM teacher at Inland Lakes Secondary School. The school is part of Inland Lakes 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 Rinvelt will air this evening.

Rinvelt said she was driven to become an educator so she could share her love of learning with students.

“I’ve always loved school! Some of my earliest memories involve setting up a make-believe classroom and playing school with my friends. Over time, I noticed that school didn’t feel the same for everyone, there was a clear divide between students who enjoyed being there and those who did not. This led me to reflect on the experiences that drew students toward school or pushed them away, and I realized just how much the environment and those experiences shape a student’s relationship with learning.

“When it came time to choose a major in college, education felt like a natural fit. I wanted to be someone who could help make school a positive experience for students. I’m especially passionate about math, because it can be intimidating for so many students. That’s why I focus so much on students themselves and how they perceive school. When students feel supported and confident, their learning can truly take off.”

Rinvelt was nominated for the award by a colleague.

“Bryeana Rinvelt is a dedicated and inspiring educator whose passion for helping students grow shines through in every facet of her work. Now in her fourth year of teaching, Bryeana has quickly become a cornerstone of both the academic and extracurricular life of her school. She approaches every challenge and opportunity with enthusiasm, professionalism, and a deep belief in the potential of every student she encounters. Whether in the math classroom, on the volleyball court, in the robotics lab, or across the globe on international trips, Bryeana’s guiding mission remains the same—to help students discover and become the best version of themselves.

“In her mathematics classroom, Bryeana’s teaching philosophy centers on growth and empowerment. She works tirelessly to ensure that every student, regardless of their starting point, feels capable and confident in their ability to learn. Her lessons are engaging, structured, and filled with opportunities for students to think critically and make meaningful connections between math concepts and real-world applications. Students know that Mrs. Rinvelt is someone who believes in them, even when they struggle to believe in themselves. Her consistent encouragement and thoughtful instruction create an environment where learning is not just about mastering content, but about building resilience and self-assurance.

“Bryeana Rinvelt exemplifies what it means to be an educator who goes above and beyond. She brings warmth, integrity, and dedication to everything she does. Her influence extends across classrooms, teams, and continents, leaving a lasting mark on every student she serves.”

Rinvelt earned a bachelor’s degree from Ferris State University. She has been an educator for four years, all 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.