Michigan Lottery Connect

Lottery Commissioner, Suzanna Shkreli, presents Liz Younglove with her Excellence in Education check.

An Osceola County educator who is known for her dedication to students and innovative teaching methods has been honored with an Excellence In Education award from the Michigan Lottery.

The award winner, Liz Younglove, is a K-5 Literacy Coach at Pine River Area Elementary. The school is part of Pine River Area 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 Younglove will air this evening.

“Ms. Younglove’s commitment to fostering learning in her students with an innovative and compassionate approach makes her an ideal candidate for the Excellence in Education award,” said Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli. “Her calming presence and hands-on activities create unforgettable learning experiences for her students.”

Younglove said she always wanted to work with children, but volunteer work steered her to a career in education.

“I come from a family of people that all work with children and when I graduated high school, I knew I wanted to work with children in some way. My dad and brothers all worked in kids’ ministry and my mom and sisters all worked in public education, but I wasn’t sure what that would look like for me. After volunteering for different organizations like Special Olympics in college I decided to follow my mom and sisters and get an education degree.”

Younglove was nominated for the award by her principal.

“Liz Younglove is an outstanding educator who exemplifies excellence in education through her unwavering dedication to her students and her innovative teaching methods. She is deeply motivated to support all her young learners, ensuring that each child feels valued, engaged, and inspired in the classroom. Her passion for education is evident in her daily interactions with students and colleagues alike. Liz demonstrates exceptional compassion and patience with struggling students. She approaches challenges with grace and determination, always looking for new ways to connect with her students and help them succeed. Her ability to adapt to the diverse needs of her classroom ensures that every child feels supported and encouraged, regardless of their individual learning styles or struggles. Liz consistently goes above and beyond her duties as a teacher. She is a leader among her colleagues, fostering a collaborative and supportive team environment. Her enthusiasm and commitment to education inspire those around her, making her team stronger every day. Liz’s ability to uplift her peers and enhance the overall learning environment is a testament to her dedication and professionalism. Her motivation, creativity, compassion, and leadership make a profound impact on her students and colleagues alike.”

Younglove earned a bachelor’s degree from Ferris State University. She has been an educator for six years and started a new role this school year.

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.