Sturgis teacher receives award

A veteran teacher at Congress School in Sturgis was named the recipient of the 2024 John E. Oster Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Presented by the Sturgis Area Community Foundation, the award went to Lesley Starkey.

Starkey, a Title I special-education teacher, was nominated by her peers. Nominees were reviewed by a committee comprised of community members and Sturgis Public Schools administrators.

The 43rd winner of the Oster Award, Starkey also coaches track for Sturgis High School girls.

Starkey was honored at an event last week at Sturges-Young Center For The Arts.