STURGIS – An advocate for students. That was the overwhelming description given about Tracie Pueschel, who was named the winner of the 2018 John E. Oster Award for Teaching Recognition during Monday's Sturgis Rotary Club lunch meeting.

Tracie has been a teacher with Sturgis Public Schools since 1993, mostly at Wenzel Elementary School. In 2010 she became the Title 1 Reading Teacher and then added Lead Teacher responsibilities in 2018.

Pueschel was nominated by several individuals. Rotary Club member John Dresser shares some of the comments made about Tracie in the letters that were sent in. They include her passion for teaching and being able to reach kids; getting to know her students and she is someone able to get things done.

Pueschel was presented the award by Oster's daughter, Sarah Gardner.

Pueschel says she loves being a teacher, witnessing light bulb moments weekly and being with kids eager to learn and show what they have learned.

A committee made up of School Board President Ann Bird; Sturgis Schools Superintendent Art Ebert; Gardner; and Sturgis Community Foundation Co-Executive Directors John Wiedlea and Mary Dresser selected Pueschel as this year's winner.

This is the 37th year for the award and the 38th recipient. It's named after former Sturgis attorney John Oster who wanted to acknowledge and award Sturgis Public Schools teachers.