ONSTED, Mich. — Even in the smallest of towns, teachers can have massive impacts on their students. In Lenawee County, a third-grade grade elementary school teacher exemplifies that.
Kristina Dennis, who teaches at Onsted Elementary, earned the Michigan Department of Education's Regional Teacher Award for her district. The recognition can help make a difference for students and the school.
"It was a very special day to know that somebody had recognized the greatness in Onsted, and there's a lot of greatness here," said Onsted Elementary Principal Marsha Davis.
Davis said teachers at Onsted Community Schools strive to help their students be successful, and going the extra mile is a standard for Dennis.
"I'm really dedicated and passionate about what I do, I love what I do. I never wanted to do anything else and I love my kids," Dennis said.
Davis said Dennis was the perfect candidate to nominate for Regional Teacher of the Year.
"I thought of many people in our building, and Kristina certainly, she just represents the best in education," Davis said. "There are so many people in our school I could've nominated, thought of, and Kristina just kept coming back to the top."
The award came as a surprise to Dennis.
"I cried. I did not think at all, because Onsted is a small community and there's seven counties in region 8, so there's lots of people that apply and I really did not expect it," Dennis said.
But, Davis says Dennis is constantly looking to make a difference.
"She loves her students, she gets to know them, she gets to know their strengths, their weaknesses and where they need to go next, and she takes great pride in that," Davis said.
Dennis hopes the recognition can be placed on the school.
"It's definitley a great honor to be recognized for all the work that we do. It's not just me, it's all educators, and my colleagues, and everyone in education," she said. "We're a very small school district in terms of many school districts in Michigan, so it's nice to have us highlighted."