Brandon Bailey, a fifth-grade teacher at Forest View Elementary in Cadillac, Michigan, has been awarded the prestigious Michigan Lottery Excellence in Education award. This honor recognizes his innovative teaching methods, strong relationships with students, and positive impact on the classroom environment. Along with the recognition, Bailey receives a cash prize of $2,000 and is eligible for the $10,000 Educator of the Year award at the end of the school year.
Recognition of Commitment and Impact
The Michigan Lottery established the Excellence in Education awards in 2014 to acknowledge outstanding public school educators statewide. Bailey, who has dedicated 21 years to education, has spent the last eight years at Forest View Elementary. His teaching philosophy emphasizes hands-on learning, allowing students to engage actively with the material.
“I love to teach. I am passionate about it,” Bailey expressed. “I found it very rewarding to pass on the love of learning to someone else. I wanted to put the learning in the hands of the students and watch them learn through doing.”
Nominated by Heidi Collins, the parent of a former student, Bailey was recognized for his ability to foster trust and support students both academically and emotionally. Collins stated, “Mr. Bailey goes above and beyond helping students surpass their expectations academically while positively impacting their character, social skills, and emotional development.”
Building Connections and Enhancing Learning
Bailey noted that the nomination held particular significance because it reflected the strong bond he formed with Collins’ son, despite the student joining his class late in the school year. “They didn’t enroll their son until after Halloween, but we were still able to make that connection,” Bailey explained. Their shared interests, such as fishing and hockey, helped to strengthen their relationship.
Forest View Elementary Principal Jake Wing praised the recognition as well-deserved, stating that awards like this highlight the daily efforts of educators that often go unnoticed. “There are wins every day in classrooms that people don’t always see,” Wing remarked. “So, it’s nice for him to get this recognition.”
Superintendent of Cadillac Area Public Schools, Jennifer Brown, emphasized Bailey’s impact on both student achievement and classroom culture. “The historic student growth achieved in his classroom is not accidental,” she said. “It reflects a standard Brandon set for himself through hard work, intentional planning, and a relentless focus on rigorous learning.”
Bailey earned his bachelor’s degree from Aquinas College and a master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University. In addition to his teaching role, he also serves as the high school girls’ golf coach, further demonstrating his commitment to student engagement both in and out of the classroom.
The Excellence in Education nominees are evaluated based on criteria that include excellence, dedication, inspiration, leadership, and effectiveness in advancing student achievement, underscoring the significance of Bailey’s recognition.
