Excellence in Education: Molly Collins

By Gabriel Rogers

Gabriel Rogers joined FOX 17 in January 2023 after graduating from Grand Valley State University. He received his B.A. in international relations and German Language with a minor in history in Winter 2022. While studying at GVSU, he became an active member at GVTV - the university's student-run television station. There, he was introduced to the world of broadcast journalism and storytelling.

Gabriel has also spent time in Europe; living in Munich, Germany for a year while admitted to the Ludwig Maximilian Universität as a guest student.

His passion for journalism comes from a love of history and international affairs. He also has a love for languages — being proficient in German as well as having studied other languages like Dutch, Pennsylvania German, French, Russian and Italian in the past.

This week's Michigan Lottery Excellence in Education Winner is Molly Collins, along with her sidekick, Brody James, a six-year-old Lab

Molly Collins is being recognized for her Excellence in Education.

Liz Giffen, Molly’s nominator, says, “Miss Collins encourages her students to show up and be on their A-game for themselves and those around them every single day.”

“They need to go out and play,” says Molly, “They need to have mistakes and learn from them, because that's really the only way they can learn is by failing. And I encourage failures in my class and mistakes because that's the best teacher.”

Molly has received a $1,500 check from the Michigan Lottery, and her class at Pennfield High School will receive a $500 grant.

Is there an educator in your community who displays Excellence in Education? Click here to nominate them.

SEE MORE: Excellence in Education nominees wanted

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