Avery Whitten, who teaches math at Linden High School in Genesee County, has earned the Michigan Lottery's Excellence In Education award for her work with students and her dedication to public schools.
Avery Whitten teaches math at Linden High School in Genesee County. She just received the Michigan Lottery's Excellence In Education award. The honor recognizes how much Whitten puts into her students and her steady commitment to public education in the Linden Area Public Schools district. This district serves families in the City of Linden and nearby parts of Genesee County.
Michigan Lottery spokesman Jake Harris handed Whitten the official Excellence In Education check. The Lottery started these awards in 2014 to honor public-school educators across Michigan during the school year. The program is still going strong. The Lottery regularly features recognized teachers on regional media and its own channels.
Spotlight on local educators
The Excellence In Education program puts a spotlight on teachers and staff who make a real difference in their schools and communities. The Michigan Lottery says the award is meant to draw attention to educators who go above and beyond. Whitten now joins a select group of Michigan teachers who have been honored since the program began. The award is now a regular part of the school year, not a one-off event. While the program covers the whole state, this win brings special attention to Linden Area Public Schools. The district is run by an elected Board of Education and falls under the Genesee Intermediate School District.
The Michigan Department of Education often highlights achievements in Genesee County, but there is no separate mention of Whitten's award in the department's official September 2026 press releases. This suggests the news has not yet reached wider state coverage. Linden High School, where Whitten teaches, is known for her drive to help others. The award does not say how many teachers win each year, but it is part of an ongoing push to recognize excellence in Michigan's public schools.
Program background and community impact
The Michigan Lottery has given out Excellence In Education awards every year since 2014. The goal is to highlight what public-school educators do for their students. Teachers and staff from all over Michigan can be chosen. Recipients are picked for their dedication, new ideas, and positive impact on students. The award comes with a cash prize, but the announcement did not say how much, and official state or lottery records do not list the amount for this case.
Teachers like Whitten shape the school experience for students in their communities. The award is a reminder of why it matters to support teachers and recognize their work. Chronic absenteeism and other problems still affect Michigan schools, as reported earlier. This makes the work of dedicated teachers even more important. In September 2026, the State of Michigan announced more than $672 million in financial aid to help over 166,000 students statewide. This shows the state's ongoing investment in public education and sets the scene for why local educators are recognized by state agencies.
Linden Area Public Schools is a public district in Genesee County, Michigan. It serves students from elementary through high school. The district's recognition through this award shows its ongoing work to keep standards high and help students succeed. The Michigan Lottery's program keeps bringing attention to educators who make a difference, with support from local school boards and the broader education system run by the State of Michigan.
