Macomb County educator wins Excellence in Education award
Lottery Commissioner, Suzanna Shkreli, presents Adam Kosi with his Excellence in Education check.
A Macomb County educator known for removing barriers for his students to participate in band has been honored with an Excellence in Education award from the Michigan Lottery.
The award winner, Adam Kosi, teaches band at L’Anse Creuse Middle School-East. The school is part of L’Anse Creuse Public Schools.
The Michigan Lottery established the Excellence in Education awards in 2014 to recognize outstanding public-school educators across the state during the school year.
Winners of the weekly award receive a $2,000 cash prize. At the end of the school year, one of the weekly award winners will be selected to receive the Lottery’s Educator of the Year award and will receive a $10,000 cash prize.
Kosi making a lasting impact on his students
“Mr. Kosi is proof that teachers have a tremendous and lasting impact on their students, and he goes to great lengths to make sure music education is accessible to everyone at L’Anse Creuse Middle School-East,” said Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli.
Kosi’s experience in band inspired him to pursue a career in education.
“I chose to pursue a career in education because of the profound impact my band teachers had on me,” he said.
“Their guidance and passion for music inspired my own love for the art, and I knew I wanted to share that joy with others.
“Teaching offered the perfect combination of challenge and fulfillment, allowing me to inspire students, foster their creativity, and help them discover the creativity and power of music, just as my mentors once did for me.”
‘Phenomenal teacher and human being’
Kosi was nominated for the award by a colleague.
“Adam is a phenomenal teacher and human being,” Kosi’s colleague said. “He is the band director and teacher at L’Anse Creuse Middle School-East and he has built the program into an incredible opportunity to connect kids with music to help them express themselves.
“As a school community where we have many families that struggle financially, Adam doesn’t let the economic burden of buying a band instrument stand in the way. He works with local music stores to lease and rent equipment and get the cost down so any student has access to band.
“The students in band love the support and comfort he brings to them as they learn music and grow in their own self confidence.
Kosi earned bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University and a master’s degree from Saginaw Valley State University. He has been an educator for 24 years, the last six in his current position.
