Great Lakes Wire

Liz Younglove, a K-5 Literacy Coach at Pine River Area Elementary in Osceola County, has received the Excellence in Education award from the Michigan Lottery. The award was presented by Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli.

The Michigan Lottery created the Excellence in Education awards in 2014 to honor public-school educators across Michigan during each school year. Recipients of the weekly award receive $2,000, and one of these winners will be chosen at the end of the school year for the Educator of the Year title, which includes a $10,000 prize.

Each honoree is also featured on television segments aired by several media partners 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. The segment featuring Younglove is scheduled to 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 shared that her interest in working with children was influenced by her family background and volunteer experiences. “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.”

Her principal nominated her for the award, stating: “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 holds a bachelor’s degree from Ferris State University. She has been working as an educator for six years.

Nominees for the Excellence In Education award are evaluated based on their excellence—helping schools achieve higher academic results; dedication—going beyond expectations; inspiration—inspiring others academically or professionally; leadership—demonstrating leadership skills; effectiveness—producing positive educational outcomes.