LANSING, MI — An Eaton County educator who is known for encouraging growth in his students inside and outside of the classroom has been honored with an Excellence in Education award from the Michigan Lottery. The award winner, Christopher Hansen, is a seventh and eighth grade English teacher at Potterville Middle School. The school is part of Potterville Public Schools.
Winners of the weekly award receive a $2,000 cash prize. At the end of the school year, one of the weekly award winners will be selected to receive the Lottery’s Educator of the Year award and will receive a $10,000 cash prize.
Hansen said wanting to make a positive impact in the lives of others attracted him to a career in education.
“Our families, middle school/high school staff, and elementary school staff work together for quality outcomes. From the parking lots to the sidewalks to the hallways to the classrooms to the cafeteria to the playgrounds to the offices and the athletic fields, this is a team effort,” Hansen said.
He continued: “I’m happy to be part of the team. I became a teacher to have a positive impact while spending time in a worthy cause. Seeing ‘light bulb’ moments where a student now knows they have earned a skill is enjoyable. Graduates and high school students who return to visit and say they’re doing well inspire me to keep teaching. I strive to be an inclusive ‘big picture’ educator who helps students see the skills and work ethic they start to develop when they’re 12 can benefit them every year of their lives. We often have fun while we’re learning, which helps keep things positive. A big, shared goal is for students to have reading and writing versatility along with courage and persistence to pursue something they are interested in.”
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