IMLAY CITY, Mich. – An English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher in Imlay City was given an Excellence in Education award from the Michigan Lottery.
Every week during the school year, an educator is selected to win a $2,000 cash prize as a part of the Excellence in Education award program.
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The program began in 2014 to recognize Michigan public school educators.
This week’s award winner is Heather LaMarra, an ESL teacher at Weston Elementary in Imlay City.
According to Michigan Lottery Connect, LaMarra was nominated for the award by a family member.
“Heather LaMarra is a great ESL teacher. She works with kindergarteners through second graders. She teaches English to 90 children. Some of these students are monolingual. She makes them feel comfortable as many of them are new to the United States and new to American schools. Many students come back and thank her for her efforts. Teaching a language to children that young seems intimidating to me, but Heather loves the challenge. She constantly does professional development to get better at her craft. Despite being a teacher for 22 years, she is devoted to being a lifelong learner.”
At the end of the school year, one weekly winner will receive the Michigan Lottery’s Educator of the Year award and a $10,000 cash prize.