GVSU alumnus named Michigan Teacher of the Year

Luke Wilcox, a mathematics teacher at East Kentwood High School in Kentwood Public Schools, has been named the 2017-18 Michigan Teacher of the Year.

Wilcox has 15 years of classroom experience, and was selected from dozens of nominees statewide. He received a master's degree in education from Grand Valley in 2006.

“Great teachers inspire and motivate students to reach goals far beyond what the students originally expected of themselves,” said Gov. Rick Snyder. “We honor Luke as the tremendous teacher he is, and to recognize the huge contribution that devoted teachers are making by connecting with students, and elevating young peoples’ lives.” 

Wilcox serves as an academic support coach at East Kentwood. He said it was inspiration and motivation from teachers and counselors that helped him become the valedictorian of his high school class. “Their examples provided me with the drive to later become the successful public educator that I am today,” Wilcox said. 

He has taught algebra 1, geometry, pre-calculus, and AP statistics at East Kentwood High School since 2001, and has served as Math Department chairperson. 

In 2015, Wilcox was among a group of math and science teachers who received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching from President Barack Obama.