Brandon Bailey, a fifth-grade teacher at Forest View Elementary in Cadillac, Michigan, has been awarded the prestigious Michigan Lottery Excellence in Education award. Bailey was recognized for his innovative teaching methods and strong relationships with students, earning a cash prize of $2,000 and eligibility for the $10,000 Educator of the Year award.
Bailey, who has dedicated 21 years to education, has spent the last eight years at Forest View Elementary, part of the Cadillac Area Public Schools district. His hands-on teaching approach has created a positive and engaging classroom environment that fosters student learning. Bailey expressed his passion for education, stating, “I love to teach. I am passionate about it. I found it to be very rewarding to pass on the love of learning to someone else.”
The Michigan Lottery established the Excellence in Education awards in 2014 to honor outstanding public school educators across the state. Each week, one teacher is recognized for their contributions to student achievement and educational excellence.
Bailey was nominated by Heidi Collins, the parent of a former student. Collins highlighted Bailey’s ability to build trust and support his students academically and emotionally. “Mr. Bailey, without a doubt, goes above and beyond helping students surpass their expectations academically, as well as positively impacting their character, social skills, and emotional development,” Collins remarked.
The nomination was particularly meaningful to Bailey, as it reflected the connection he developed with Collins’ son, despite the student joining his class later in the school year. “They didn’t enroll their son until after Halloween, but we were still able to make that connection,” Bailey explained. “We talked about fishing all the time. We talked about his activities — he’s into hockey. It resonated with his mom, so she nominated me.”
Recognition from Peers and Administrators
Forest View Elementary Principal Jake Wing praised Bailey for his well-deserved recognition. He noted that awards such as this help to highlight the daily efforts of educators that often go unnoticed. “There are wins every day in classrooms that people don’t always see,” Wing said. “So it’s nice for him to get this recognition.”
According to Cadillac Area Public Schools Superintendent Jennifer Brown, Bailey’s impact is evident in both student achievement and classroom culture. “The historic student growth achieved in his classroom is not accidental,” Brown stated. “It reflects a standard Brandon set for himself through hard work, intentional planning, and a relentless focus on rigorous learning.” She added that Bailey’s dedication strengthens not only Forest View Elementary but the entire district.
Bailey holds a bachelor’s degree from Aquinas College and a master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University. In addition to his role as a teacher, he also serves as the high school girls’ golf coach, further demonstrating his commitment to student development both inside and outside of the classroom.
The Michigan Lottery’s Excellence in Education awards are evaluated based on criteria including excellence, dedication, inspiration, leadership, and effectiveness in advancing student achievement. Bailey’s recognition serves as a testament to the positive impact that dedicated educators can have on their students’ lives.
