Northern Michigan University alumna Amber Kinonen, a full-time English instructor at Bay College, is one of the recipients of Bay's Outstanding Educator Award. She is being honored not only for her "tremendous knowledge, but her commitment to the Arts and Letters Division and her passion to help students succeed."
Kinonen earned two NMU degrees: a bachelor's in English/secondary education in 2000; and a master's in pedagogy in 2004. While at Northern, she taught The Teaching of Writing and later obtained a certification as a teacher consultant for the National Writing Project.
According to a press release, Kinonen began her career at Bay College as a transitional reading instructor in 2008, and now teaches a variety of English courses. She serves as the college readiness coordinator and chair of the college readiness team.
“Amber is dedicated to our mission of student success, community of success, culture of success," said Dean of Arts and Sciences Jessica Van Slooten in the release. "As college readiness coordinator and full-time English instructor, Amber centers student success inside and outside the classroom. She seamlessly integrates important college success skills like growth mindset and resiliency in her college writing courses, providing students opportunities to apply these 'soft skills' in their academic work and their lives.”
This is Kinonen's third Outstanding Educator Award from Bay College. She was previously honored in 2012-2013 and again in 2017-2018.
The Bay College Outstanding Educator Awards are sponsored by the Don Johnson Agency/MEEMIC Insurance. To be considered, faculty must have a minimum of three years of service at Bay and be nominated by a colleague, student, or someone from the community.
Nominees are judged on their job knowledge; respect and enthusiasm toward colleagues, students, and community members; the positive influence they create within the work environment; and collaboration with colleagues and staff.