Michigan Lottery Connect

Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced a Macomb County educator has won the 2025 Educator of the Year award and a $10,000 prize from the Michigan Lottery’s Excellence in Education program.

“Congratulations to Kelly Herberholz for her well-deserved recognition as the Michigan Lottery’s Educator of the Year,” said Governor Whitmer. “For over a decade, Kelly has brought her A-game to the classroom, teaching students at Dakota High how to love science and work together to solve problems. She is an exceptional campus leader, helping to pull together school-wide events that connect students to the community. I’m so grateful for educators like Kelly who not only prepare the next generation for the rest of their lives but also embody values everyday that we should all aspire to live up to.”

The award winner, Kelly Herberholz, teaches science and is currently an istrative team intern at Dakota High School. The school is part of the Chippewa Valley Schools. Herberholz, 34, has spent her entire 12-year career in education at Dakota High School.

“When thinking about what career to pursue, education just made perfect sense for me,” said Kelly Herberholz. “It allowed me to combine my ion for science, leadership, and serving my community. Growing up, I had wonderful experiences in school and excellent teachers. I was always drawn to science classes. I love the analytical aspects of science and the opportunity to experiment and use problem solving skills. I also love collaborating and working with others towards a common goal. Teaching is the perfect opportunity for me to work with young people, share my ion for science, and guide students in working towards their goals. Being named the Michigan Lottery’s 2025 Educator of the Year is an incredible honor and would not have been possible without my students, who drive me each day to be the best educator I can be, as well as my amazing colleagues who are so dedicated to having a positive impact on the students and families in our district.”

Lottery Commissioner, Suzanna Shkreli, recently presented Herberholz with the award.

“Kelly Herberholz is a beloved educator at Dakota High School,” said Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli. “The emotion in the room when she received the award was overwhelming and a testament to all of the work Kelly puts in to prepare her students for success. Coming from a family of educators, Kelly has a deep-rooted ion for education and preparing students for life after they graduate. She is truly deserving of the Lottery’s Educator of the Year award.”

“What Kelly has meant to Dakota High School over the course of the past 12 years is almost impossible to completely chronicle,” said Dakota High School Principal Kevin Koskos. “When one engages Kelly in a conversation about her work at our school, especially with our Student Government students as their advisor, she’ll often tell you, ‘Leadership is a lifestyle.’  Although some who tout a phrase like that may be questioned as to whether they really ‘walk the talk,’ there is no doubt that Kelly Herberholz means it; she serves as a tremendous role model for our students and staff.”

Herberholz was nominated for the award by a colleague.

“What makes Ms. Herberholz stand out above other excellent teachers is her commitment not only to her students in chemistry and AP chemistry but in her work to establish a positive school culture both inside and out of her classroom.  Ms. Herberholz sends a postcard home with a positive or encouraging note to each of her 120+ students. Each day, for every hour, she greets students at the door as they enter her classroom. But what is truly outstanding is her commitment to school culture. As the Student Government advisor, she plans and executes events to build community among students. She has put in a lot of thought and energy into developing an advisory period at Dakota High School which will be piloted this school year. She has also served as a member of the School Improvement Staff Morale committee helping to build community within our seemingly large staff.  It is hard to really put into words all she does or the genuine ion she has for education and fostering positive relationships. Working with her makes me a better educator.”

Herberholz earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Michigan State University. She has been an educator for 11 years, all in her current position.

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 plaque and a $2,000 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.

Each year, one of the weekly winners is selected as the Educator of the Year and receives a $10,000 prize.

Hundreds of educators from across the state were nominated for an Excellence in Education weekly award during the 11th year of the program and 34, including Herberholz, were selected to win a weekly award.

Previous winners of the Educator of the Year award were:

• 2024 – Samantha TwoCrow, director of the Indigenous Education Program for Suttons Bay Public Schools.
• 2023 – Kathryn Kluzak, a kindergarten teacher with Robert L. Green Elementary in East Lansing.
• 2022 – Spencer Vanderheide, a high school teacher with Kenowa Hills High School.
• 2021 – Janice Smith, a school social worker at Fisher Magnet Lower Academy in Detroit.
• 2020 – Megan Sidge, an Autism Spectrum Disorder teacher at Hickory Woods Elementary in Walled Lake.
• 2019 – Stewart Kieliszewski, an Earth science, biology, mechatronics, and media teacher for eighth through 12 graders at the Ubly Community Schools.
• 2018 – Kerri Moccio, a first-grade literacy intervention specialist at Bedford Elementary School in Dearborn Heights.
• 2017 – Linda Holzwarth, a social studies teacher at Portage West Middle School in Portage.
• 2016 – Daniel Carr, a Spanish and sports marketing teacher at Waverly High School in Lansing.
• 2015 – Michael Craig, a special education teacher at the Charles Drew Transition Center in Detroit.

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.