Lottery Spokesman, Jake Harris, presents Leah Haworth with her Excellence in Education check.
An Allegan County educator who is known for molding her students into kind, confident and successful individuals has been honored with an Excellence In Education award from the Michigan Lottery.
The award winner, Leah Haworth, is a third-grade teacher at Douglas Elementary. The school is part of the Saugatuck Area 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 Haworth will air this evening.
Haworth said her own struggle with learning to read in elementary school is what inspired her to pursue a career in education.
“When I was in early elementary school I struggled to learn to read. In the fourth grade, I had a teacher that I really clicked with who made learning fun through games and community building activities. Suddenly, school wasn’t as hard and became a whole lot more enjoyable. The impact that one great teacher had on me was part of what inspired me to become a teacher, and I still model some of my teaching practices after her.”
Haworth was nominated for the award by the parent of two of her students.
“Leah Haworth exemplifies everything a truly outstanding educator should be. She does far more than teach curriculum, she creates a classroom environment where students feel excited, supported, and genuinely happy to be at school.
One of the things that sets her apart is the way she brings learning to life. She organizes book clubs that spark curiosity and conversation, helping students build a love for reading while also developing confidence and critical thinking skills. Learning in her classroom is never passive; it’s engaging, creative, and meaningful. Students are eager to participate because she makes them feel valued and capable.
Her communication with families is exceptional. She consistently keeps parents informed, connected, and involved, creating a true partnership between home and school. Even on snow days, she goes above and beyond by reaching out with fun, thoughtful activities that keep students learning and smiling, even when they can’t be in the classroom. Her dedication doesn’t pause just because school is closed.
One especially memorable example of her creativity is ‘Fruit Friday,’ held once a month. This is more than a snack — it’s an opportunity for students to explore new fruits they may not be exposed to at home. She turns it into an exciting learning experience, encouraging curiosity, discussion, and healthy habits in a fun, approachable way. The kids genuinely look forward to it, asking questions and sharing their excitement with each other.
What truly makes her extraordinary is the atmosphere she creates every single day. Her classroom is a place where students feel safe, inspired, and eager to learn. The kids are excited to walk into her classroom because they know learning there is joyful, engaging, and filled with encouragement. She doesn’t just teach lessons; she builds confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning. For all of these reasons and more, she is profoundly deserving of this recognition.”
Haworth earned both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Central Michigan University. She has been an educator for five years, the last four 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.