Bay College Honors Outstanding Educator

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Amber Kinonen

Bay College honors Amber Kinonen, full-time English instructor, as one of its recipients of the Outstanding Educator Award sponsored by the Don Johnson Agency/MEEMIC Insurance.  To receive consideration for the award, faculty were nominated by a colleague, student, or someone from the community.  The primary focus of this award is to acknowledge faculty’s commitment to education and excellence in service to others.

Amber Kinonen began her career as a Transitional Reading Instructor in 2008 and now teaches a variety of English courses.  She currently serves as the College Readiness Coordinator and the Chair of the College Readiness Team.

Kinonen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education/English and a Masters of Arts in English/Pedagogy from Northern Michigan University where she also taught The Teaching of Writing and obtained a certification as a Teacher Consultant of the National Writing Project in 2007.  In addition, Kinonen was named as the Outstanding Educator for Bay College in 2012-2013 and again in 2017-2018.  Kinonen is being recognized as an outstanding educator not only based on her tremendous knowledge but on her commitment to the Arts and Letters Division and her passion to help students succeed.

Dean of Arts and Sciences, Jessica Van Slooten, shared “Amber is dedicated to our mission of student success, community of success, culture of success. 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.”

Any Bay College employee, Board member, student, alumni, or community member may nominate a full-time or regular part-time exempt or non-exempt employee for the Bay College Outstanding Employee Award.  These individuals must have completed three years of employment at Bay College.  Nominees are judged on their job knowledge, respect and enthusiasm toward colleagues, students, and community members, creating a positive influence within the work environment, and collaboratively working with colleagues and staff.


Bay College offers career certificate programs, associate degrees, transfer options, job force training and opportunities through dual enrollment and early college programs.  Classes are available at the Escanaba and Iron Mountain campuses and online.  Call 906.786.5802 for more information or visit www.baycollege.edu.

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