Rachel Engel, a first grade teacher at Schoolcraft Elementary in Waterford, earned the Excellence in Education award from the Michigan Lottery.
Winners of the weekly award receive a $2,000 cash prize and are eligible for the Educator of the Year award.
“Growing up, I have many amazing teachers who believed in me and inspired my love of learning,” said Engel. “I wanted to have the same type of impact among young learners. My goal as a teacher is to create an empowering environment for students to harvest a love of learning and reach their full potential.”
Engel was nominated for the award by a parent of her former students.
“Mrs. Engel has had three of my four children in her classroom and has done a phenomenal job with all of them. She teaches more than math, spelling and reading. She teaches them how to be good, collaborative members of their school community.”