DORR, Mich. — Let’s just say Dorr Elementary School took it to the next level for our next Teacher of the Week, not only planning a surprise but dedicating an entire day to this outstanding West Michigan educator.
This made for a surprise unlike what the teacher thought it would be.
Cierra Onken is our latest Teacher of the Week. She said, “Well, I thought 'emergency' when I was in a meeting and my principal was called to my classroom, that’s never a good thing.”
“Cierra is an amazing teacher,” said the Dorr Elementary School principal, Robin Seniura, who came up with the plan for the surprise.
“This was definitely not what I expected. I’m a little upset with some people right now but we’ll talk to them later,” said Onken.
The fun didn’t stop there. The school dedicated an entire day to our Teacher of the Week, called “Mrs. Onken Day."
"She loves cheetah and pink and so we will all be dressed in cheetah and pink, accessorized by denim – which for teachers is a big deal, jean days – and we will be serving her favorite snacks in the lounge,” said Seniura.
Onken told 13 ON YOUR SIDE, “Teaching, it’s always been a passion of mine."
She teaches special education and said she works hard to make her students comfortable.
“I like to think of this classroom as their safe place, right? If they’re overwhelmed in gen ed, if they’re just struggling to do anything, they can come here and this be their safe place,” said Onken, adding that they do the same for her. “I just had my grandfather pass away and I only took one day of bereavement because I was explaining to my husband this is my safe place. This is my place to say these are my family members too and I lean into them just like I would lean into my family at home. This is what brings me peace.”
That peace was interrupted for a bit of excitement on this day as we gave thanks for Onken’s commitment.
“They make a very impactful difference. Every person in this country, in this world, has a parent but behind them they also have a teacher and that teacher – whether it’s an astronaut, an accountant, a doctor, someone in HVAC, someone in plumbing – a teacher impacted them to become what they are,” said Seniura.
She also said, “They do things selflessly. They don’t look for accolades. They do what they do because they love what they do, and they love children,” while encouraging everyone to do more. “We need to recognize them more. We need to celebrate teachers and support them.”
“Without teachers and amazing teachers like we have here at Dorr Elementary, school wouldn’t be as fun as it is,” said Onken, shortly before she kicked her leg high in celebration and turned to her students for a group hug.
If you have someone you’d like to nominate as our next Teacher of the Week, just text the word “teacher” to 616-559-1310.
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