A Berrien County teacher known for his impact on the community has been honored with an Excellence in Education award from the Michigan Lottery.
Dustin Cornelius is an English and Media Productions teacher at Niles Senior High School. The Michigan Lottery says he was selected for an Excellence in Education award after being nominated by a former student. Among other things, Cornelius started a fundraiser called “Socktober” at the school. It’s collected thousands of socks to be distributed to churches and shelters.
In a promotional video from the Michigan Lottery, Cornelius said he first got into teaching as a substitute, but then went into sales for a while.
“One day I just didn’t feel fulfilled and I was talking to my wife on the phone,” Cornelius said. “I heard a school bus go behind me, and I heard some kid yell out, ‘Hey, Mr. Cornelius.’ That kid recognized who I was. And I went back and told my boss, ‘I’m gonna put in my two weeks,’ and I went back to become a teacher.”
Cornelius is known for cracking jokes, telling stories, breaking out into song in the middle of a conversation, and being kind.
As a winner of the Excellence in Education award, Cornelius will get 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. Cornelius is also being featured on news segments airing on television statewide.
