Michigan Lottery Connect

Player Relations Manager, Jake Harris (left), presenting Deann Smith (right) with her Excellence in Education check

A Gratiot County educator who goes above and beyond every day for her students and school has been honored with an Excellence In Education award from the Michigan Lottery.

The award winner, Deann Smith, is a K through 12 educator with Ashley Community 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, WNEM-TV in Saginaw, and WWTV-TV in Traverse City. The news segment featuring Smith will air this evening.

“Deann Smith is an outstanding leader in her school district and community. She is not only an educator, but also takes on many other roles in her district such as a coach, serving on committees, running fundraisers, and helping at sporting events,” said Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli. “She is dedicated in all aspects of her career and her contributions make a profound impact in her school district. She is incredibly deserving of this award.”

Smith always knew she wanted to be an educator.

“I never considered any other field, going into education and being a teacher was what I’ve always wanted to do. My former teachers from this very school many years ago, showed me the significance of what a kind-hearted, caring, and dedicated person could do to make a promising difference in students’ lives. Empowering and making a positive impact on our youth to think for themselves and become healthy adults, that contribute to society, has always been my main goal.”

Smith was nominated for the award by her daughter.

“There is no one more dedicated to their students and community than Deann Smith. She goes above and beyond every day for everyone around her. She currently teaches chemistry, biology, physical education, and health. She currently participates in the program Salmon in the Classroom put on by the Michigan DNR. She sings the National Anthem at almost every home sports game and runs the clock. She has served as a sports booster and has been the band booster president for over 13 years. She took students on a biology trip to Hawaii last year and is currently fundraising for another biology trip to the Galapagos Islands next year. She tutors alternative education students once a week. She puts on a community gathering for coffee and donuts as a fundraiser the last Saturday of every month. She runs the schools traveling district talent show. She has previously coached the Quiz Bowl team. She is always applying for grant after grant to help pay for things for her classroom, trips, school, and more. I could go on forever with all the things she has contributed over the years to the school and community.”

Smith earned a bachelor’s degrees from Huntington University, Saginaw Valley State University, and Delta College. She has been an educator for 14 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.