Inspiring Curiosity, Creativity, and a Love of Learning

This January, as a new year begins and fresh goals take shape, we’re proud to recognize an educator who reminds us what learning looks like when it’s done with joy, imagination, and deep care.

Jessi Koehler is an elementary STEM teacher at Freeland Community School District, where she has become known for creating classrooms that feel less like rows of desks and more like worlds waiting to be explored.

Recently honored with the Michigan Lottery’s Excellence in Education Award, Jessi’s work stands out because it meets students exactly where they are — and then invites them to dream bigger. Her classroom often transforms into immersive learning environments: a post office, a veterinarian’s clinic, even a space station. Through dramatic play, open-ended exploration, and thoughtful questioning, students aren’t just learning facts — they’re learning how to think, collaborate, and problem-solve.

What makes her approach especially powerful is that it never feels forced. Curiosity leads. Creativity follows. And confidence grows naturally.

Those who nominated Jessi described a classroom filled with laughter, engagement, and excitement — a place where children come home not just talking about what they learned, but how much fun they had learning it. She encourages students to wrestle with ideas, try new solutions, and see challenges as opportunities rather than obstacles.

With 24 years in education, including the last eight in her current role, Jessi brings both experience and enthusiasm into every day. She credits her own parents, coaches, and teachers for inspiring her path — and now, that legacy continues through the countless students she influences each year.

As we step into a new calendar year, Jessi Koehler is a powerful reminder that education isn’t just about preparing students for tests — it’s about preparing them for life.

Thank you, Jessi, for making learning magical, meaningful, and memorable for Mid-Michigan’s next generation.

» Read the full story: Saginaw County Educator Wins Excellence in Education Award from the Michigan Lottery

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