Great Lakes Wire

Kimberly Stevenson, a high school science teacher at Davis Aerospace Technical High School in Detroit, has received the Excellence in Education award from the Michigan Lottery. The award was presented by Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli.

The Michigan Lottery began the Excellence in Education awards program in 2014 to honor outstanding public-school educators across Michigan during the academic year. Each weekly winner receives a $2,000 cash prize and is featured on news segments aired by partner stations including 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. At the end of the school year, one of these winners will be selected as Educator of the Year and awarded an additional $10,000.

“Ms. Stevenson’s illustrious career in education spans more than three decades, during which she has had a profound impact on her students,” said Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli. “It’s clear she has a passion for science and learning that she has successfully instilled in her students.”

Stevenson credits her family background for inspiring her to pursue teaching. “Education was always important in my family. My mother was an educator for more than 40 years in the same school district. After graduating from college, I began as a substitute teacher in secondary education. When our district offered an alternative pathway to certification and a master’s degree, I jumped at the chance to secure and complete my credentials in education. I feel like I have a duty and a responsibility to our students to give them the best education possible. I was very fortunate to be raised in an environment that emphasized the importance and benefits of getting a good education and feel privileged to share that with my students.”

A colleague nominated Stevenson for this recognition, highlighting her over 25 years of service as a science teacher within Detroit Public Schools Community District and her current role at Davis Aerospace Technical High School—a school focused on aerospace and aviation sciences where students engage with flight simulators, drones, and aviation mechanics.

In addition to teaching science classes, Stevenson has led extracurricular activities such as facilitating the STEM 2035 Eco-Justice Club; sponsoring robotics teams; organizing science fairs; supporting speech clubs; chaperoning student trips including participation at Michigan Youth in Government conferences; directing environmental initiatives like Earth Day sustainability projects; planting trees with Greening of Detroit; and accompanying students abroad on educational trips.

Her academic background includes earning a bachelor’s degree from Tuskegee University and a master’s degree from Wayne State University. She has worked as an educator for 33 years—six of those at Davis Aerospace Technical High School.

Nominees for Excellence In Education are evaluated based on criteria such as excellence (helping schools achieve higher academic levels), dedication (going beyond expectations), inspiration (motivating others), leadership skills within their institutions or districts, and effectiveness (demonstrated positive results on student advancement).