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Kentwood educator one of 10 Michigan Regional Teachers of the Year

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Kentwood educator one of 10 Michigan Regional Teachers of the Year


GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Kentwood elementary teacher Sarah Kresnak said she’s motivated every day by an opportunity to watch her first-grade students learn to read.

In her 20th year as an educator, she teaches at Discovery Elementary School, part of the Kentwood Public Schools district.

Kresnak has spent the entirety of her education career with Kentwood Public Schools, starting as a Michigan State University intern at the district’s Challenger Elementary. She’s taught full time with the district since 2005.

She said seeing her hard work pay off has been incredibly fulfilling. For the 2025-26 school year, Kresnak was selected as one of the state of Michigan’s 10 Regional Teachers of the Year.

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But the biggest reward, she said, is getting to work with her students every day.

“I’m here every day because of them,” she said. “They make it the best job.”

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) named Kresnak as one of 10 regional honorees in late February for the year 2025-26. She was named Teacher of the Year for Region 3, which includes an area of West Michigan that encompasses 13 counties, from Mason, Lake and Osceola counties in the north to Allegan and Barry counties in southwest Michigan.

Kresnak is a Kent County educator, one of 693 teachers in the Kentwood Public Schools district serving 9,639 students as of the 2025-26 school year.

This school district has the highest graduation rate in the Grand Rapids area

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The 10 teachers were selected through a competitive application process that began with student, staff and community member nominations. They are finalists to be Michigan’s Teacher of the Year.

Together, they make up the Michigan Teacher Leadership Advisory Council, working with MDE to provide education policy input and taking back information to their regions.

“The Regional Teachers of the Year are selected from among Michigan’s many outstanding educators who play such an important role in student learning,” State Superintendent Michael Rice said in a statement. “Regional Teachers of the Year also elevate the voices of teachers by sharing their experiences and valuable insight with our department and the State Board of Education.”

Kresnak said the experience that brings her the most joy is teaching her first-graders how to read.

“They come in just starting to know how to read,” she said. “I feel incredibly fortunate that I get the opportunity to see all the lightbulbs pop on at different times.”

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“The coolest part is that it breeds excitement. One child will get it, and there will be this domino effect of excitement for other friends as they understand it.”

The biggest challenge throughout this process is helping reluctant students find the motivation to learn to read, she said.

“We have a lot of mottos that I use to motivate kids who might take a little longer, like ‘everyone reads at different speeds’ or ‘fast doesn’t always mean great.’”

Kresnak said finding silly things to help students, like printing off pictures of celebrities and adding speech bubbles to their faces, is a fun part of her job that also makes a difference.

One of the biggest lessons she’s learned in teaching is to look at student behavior as communication. Really getting to know students is important to understand them and their needs.

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Kentwood Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Polston said the district is proud of Kresnak’s accomplishment as Region 3 Teacher of the Year.

“This honor reflects the everyday excellence she exudes in her classroom by fostering meaningful relationships with students and families and delivering rigorous learning experiences to help our students achieve at the highest levels,” he said. “Additionally, her innate belief in the potential of our kids sets her apart.

“We couldn’t be more delighted for Sarah, Discovery Elementary School, and the entire Kentwood community as we celebrate this well-deserved recognition,” Polston added.

Kresnak said working at Kentwood is a unique and valuable experience because the district has such a diverse student population, and “it’s really incredible to see all of the diversity and the value that each family brings to our school and to our classroom community.”

Regional Teachers of the Year go on to interview with a panel of statewide education stakeholders before one person is selected for the 2025-26 Michigan Teacher of the Year.

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The selected teacher has a non-voting seat on the state’s Board of Education, also representing the state across the country and becoming a candidate for National Teacher of the Year.

Kresnak said her goal with this larger platform is to shine a light on district achievements and try to involve the community more in elementary programming.

Other Regional Teachers of the Year include:

  • Region 1: Susan Solomon, an elementary teacher at JKL Bahweting Anishnabe Public School Academy in Sault Ste. Marie.
  • Region 2: Thomas Schultz, a science teacher at Charlevoix Middle/High School in Charlevoix Public Schools.
  • Region 4: Heather Wolf, a social studies teacher at Shepherd High School in Shepherd Public Schools.
  • Region 5: Corey Rosser, a social studies teacher at Quest High School in North Branch Area Schools.
  • Region 6: Becky Manore, a Spanish teacher at Grand Ledge High School in Grand Ledge Public Schools.
  • Region 7: Lindsey Cook, an elementary teacher at Sonoma Elementary School in Harper Creek Community Schools.
  • Region 8: Deidra LaPointe, an elementary teacher at Luther C. Klager Elementary School in Manchester Community Schools.
  • Region 9: Stephanie Jaskolski, an English language arts teacher at Woodhaven Upper Elementary in Woodhaven-Brownstown School District.
  • Region 10: Susan Kelsey-Brewton, a science teacher at Hope Academy in Detroit.

If you would like more reporting like this delivered free to your inbox, signup for our weekly newsletter: Michigan Schools.



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Michigan Lottery Daily 3, Daily 4 results for Dec. 16, 2025

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Michigan Lottery Daily 3, Daily 4 results for Dec. 16, 2025


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The Michigan Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 16, 2025, results for each game:

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Winning Daily 3 numbers from Dec. 16 drawing

Midday: 8-9-0

Evening: 9-0-2

Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily 4 numbers from Dec. 16 drawing

Midday: 8-7-2-6

Evening: 5-6-3-7

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Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 16 drawing

03-04-19-24-39, Lucky Ball: 11

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Poker Lotto numbers from Dec. 16 drawing

QS-KS-AS-5C-5D

Check Poker Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from Dec. 16 drawing

11-20-31-32-38

11-18-28-29-34

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily Keno numbers from Dec. 16 drawing

09-17-22-23-24-27-30-36-43-44-49-51-55-58-59-60-62-69-70-71-73-79

Check Daily Keno payouts and previous drawings here.

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Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Michigan Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes up to $99,999.99, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Michigan Lottery’s Regional Offices.

To claim by mail, complete a ticket receipt form, sign your winning ticket, and send it along with original copies of your government-issued photo ID and Social Security card to the address below. Ensure the names on your ID and Social Security card match exactly. Claims should be mailed to:

Michigan Lottery

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Attn: Claim Center

101 E. Hillsdale

P.O. Box 30023

Lansing, MI 48909

For prizes over $100,000, winners must claim their prize in person at the Michigan Lottery Headquarters in Lansing located at 101 E. Hillsdale in downtown Lansing. Each winner must present original versions of a valid government-issued photo ID (typically a driver’s license or state ID) and a Social Security card, ensuring that the names on both documents match exactly. To schedule an appointment, please call the Lottery Player Relations office at 844-887-6836, option 2.

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If you prefer to claim in person at one of the Michigan Lottery Regional Offices for prizes under $100,000, appointments are required. Until further notice, please call 1-844-917-6325 to schedule an appointment. Regional office locations are as follows:

  • Lansing: 101 E. Hillsdale St. Lansing; Phone: 844-917-6325
  • Livonia: 33231 Plymouth Road, Livonia; Phone: 844-917-6325
  • Sterling Heights: 34700 Dequindre Road, Sterling Heights; Phone: 844-917-6325
  • Detroit: Cadillac Place, 3060 W. Grand Blvd., Suite L-600, Detroit; Phone: 844-917-6325
  • Grand Rapids: 3391-B Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids; Phone: 844-917-6325
  • Saginaw: Jerome T. Hart State Office Building, 411 E. Genesee Ave., Saginaw; Phone: 844-917-6325

For additional information, downloadable forms, and instructions, visit the Michigan Lottery’s prize claim page.

When are Michigan Lottery drawings held?

  • Daily 3 & Daily 4: Midday at 12:59 p.m., Evening at 7:29 p.m.
  • Fantasy 5: 7:29 p.m. daily
  • Poker Lotto: 7:29 p.m. daily
  • Lotto 47: 7:29 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday
  • Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily
  • Daily Keno: 7:29 p.m. daily

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Michigan editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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‘Michigan is like an oil field’: Why the coaching search could deliver an elite upgrade despite the chaos

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‘Michigan is like an oil field’: Why the coaching search could deliver an elite upgrade despite the chaos


CLEV ELAND, Ohio — The Michigan coaching search has dominated college football headlines this week, creating both uncertainty and opportunity for the defending national champions.

Despite the chaotic nature of the situation, college football analyst Josh Pate makes a compelling case that Michigan will ultimately emerge with a significant upgrade at head coach.

“I think they’re going to end up so much better for this. They’re not in a great place right now, but I mean once the fog clears, like Michigan will have clearly upgraded at their head coaching position,” Pate claims on the latest episode of his podcast, setting an optimistic tone despite the current turmoil.

One of the most significant developments has been Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer’s definitive statement removing himself from consideration.

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“I don’t think Kalen DeBoer is going anywhere. Feel pretty good about our sourcing on that,” Pate said. “You guys are free to believe whatever you want, but I do believe that he’ll be at Alabama this Friday and well beyond this Friday, no matter what the outcome of that game is. I hope I’ve been pretty clear there.”

With DeBoer firmly committed to Alabama, the podcast makes an impassioned case for Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham as the ideal candidate to revitalize Michigan’s program.

“I think Kenny Dillingham is a wonderful candidate for Michigan. That would be the guy that I would pursue,” Pate said. “I look at that guy and I see what he’s done in terms of quarterback development. I see what he’s done in terms of lighting a fan base on fire. I love the energy. I love the passion. I love how much his guys will go over a cliff for him.”

What makes this endorsement particularly compelling is the podcast’s vivid metaphor about Michigan’s untapped potential and why someone with Dillingham’s energy could be transformational.

“Michigan is like an oil field. I’ve been watching Land Man lately. It’s like an oil field that really hasn’t been drilled properly,” Pate said. “When you do, money is flying all over the place. It’s there. It’s there. I’ve got it on good word. A little birdie has flown in my ear recently and told me, you know, maybe since the Sherrone Moore firing, there’s a little bit of an uptick even in NIL contribution.”

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This assessment suggests Michigan’s NIL and donor resources remain largely untapped, creating an opportunity for an energetic, passionate coach like Dillingham to unlock unprecedented support.

Pate notes that despite Michigan’s recent national championship, no one has “really drilled deep at Michigan yet” when it comes to maximizing resources in college football’s new era.

The podcast also addresses the complexity of the search process, noting it’s moving “way differently than the Penn State search” with Michigan employing “search firm stages” that will lead to a search committee.

This methodical approach suggests Michigan is prioritizing making the right hire rather than the fastest hire.

Other candidates mentioned include Lincoln Riley, Eli Drinkwitz and Jedd Fisch, though the podcast clearly positions Dillingham as the transformational choice who could best capitalize on Michigan’s dormant potential.

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Interestingly, the podcast draws a distinction between Dillingham and DeBoer’s public statements about being happy at their current jobs: “I don’t think those were the same thing,” hinting that while DeBoer is genuinely staying put, Dillingham might still be in play despite expressing love for Arizona State.

For Michigan fans enduring a turbulent week, the podcast’s perspective offers a compelling reason for optimism.

Despite the messy nature of the coaching change, Michigan appears poised to emerge with a dynamic leader who could elevate the program to even greater heights.



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Michigan Gov. Whitmer lays out student literacy plan, says it will be her top priority

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Michigan Gov. Whitmer lays out student literacy plan, says it will be her top priority


Literacy is on the decline in Michigan, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she wants to stop it in its tracks.

The governor shared during this year’s Michigan Literacy Summit that one in three students in Michigan tests below average.

Michigan used to rank higher, but nowit is 44th in the nation when it comes to reading at grade level. Whitmer says it’s due to multiple things, from decades of disinvestment in education to the pandemic.

“Literacy is directly correlated to higher incomes, greater productivity more innovation,” Whitmer said at the summit.

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For the rest of her term as governor, Whitmer says literacy will be her top priority.

“A literate population is more civically engaged, more empowered, more equal,” said Whitmer.

In a room filled with educators from across Michigan, the governor didn’t place blame for the problem, but encouragement and next steps to improve literacy, such as proper resources and training.

“They’re taught by skilled, qualified educators who are getting more and more of every year with scholarships, retention and recruitment programs,” said Whitmer.

Educators say support, such as funding, has helped them be better educators to their students. Teachers say helping them pay for expensive training has allowed them to reach their students in a new way.

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“All of these things accelerated my knowledge and just gave me hope for Michigan’s direction,” said educator David Pelc

However, Whitmer recognized it’s not just the knowledge they are teaching, it’s the ability to connect with the young minds, especially in a world that is ever changing.

“They are growing up against rapidly changing technology, rising mental health challenges, increasing political division, they see violence playing out, and its a uncertain economic environment,” said Whitmer.

From the state Capital, the governor emphasized the bills she has passed that help lead to improving literacy, such as free pre-K and school lunches.

 Whitmer says she plans to offer advice to future budgets and leaders to continue to improve literacy in Michigan.

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