Pickerington, Ohio – A special celebration unfolded at Toll Gate Middle School in Pickerington, where fifth grade teacher Lauri Davies was announced as the winner of the Teacher Appreciation Week Field Trip Giveaway, a statewide recognition sponsored by the Ohio Lottery and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
Davies was selected through a drawing of all teachers nominated for the Ohio Lottery’s Partners in Education Teacher of the Month program during the September 2024 through March 2025 nomination period. The program highlights educators who make a meaningful difference in the lives of their students—and Davies was moved to find out a parent had recognized her impact.
“I was so surprised, but mostly I feel so happy that a parent had noticed that I was changing her child’s life, which is everything that a teacher really wants to do, have an impact on a kiddo,” Davies said.
As part of her award, Davies and her class of fifth-grade students will take an educational trip to the Natural Resources Park at the Ohio State Fairgrounds. ODNR experts will lead them through a day of exploration including visits with Smokey the Bear, a geological walk, a lesson on native trees, and time at the amphitheater learning about wildlife and trapping history.
Additionally, Toll Gate Middle School will receive a $500 gift card from the Ohio Lottery to further support classroom or school needs.
The Partners in Education initiative recognizes outstanding students, teachers, and schools across Ohio each month between September and May, honoring educators as Teachers of the Month and students as Academic All-Stars. Nominations are accepted online by the 10th of each month at ohiolottery.com.
