On Jan. 27, Reading Skills & Social Studies teacher Ann Hunsader was awarded the A+ Teacher Award by Bay News 9, an award meant to honor the area teachers that go above and beyond in their work to inspire and lead their students. 

Bay News 9 highlighted Hunsader for touching the hearts of her students and helping them discover their love for reading in a recent video produced by their staff.  

Teaching for 30 years, Hunsader has spent nearly half of her career here at Saint Stephen’s in the Intermediate School, where she serves alongside her husband, Dan Krone, the Director of Athletic Maintenance. 

Hunsader mentioned that before becoming a teacher, she first got inspiration from her eleventh grade English teacher Mrs. Parrish, who primarily helped her discover her love for reading. 

Now, after being nominated by one of her student’s parents, Hunsader herself has become the teacher that others can learn from and admire, including intermediate school director Mr. Andrew Hasbrouck.

Hasbrouck highlighted her positive traits, describing Hunsader as a hardworking teacher who loves the kids and “does everything in her power to make sure that everyone’s being successful.”

“She’s very level headed, consistent,” Hasbrouck explained. “You get the same effort and attitude out of her, every single day.”

He explained that the other teachers in the Intermediate Division tend to joke around and call her a “deep diver” for the lengths she takes to fully understand her students.

For example, if one of the kids loves soccer, Hunsader would spend her time finding certain soccer-based books they’d like— same with any other interests. 

“I like to get to know the kids, what they’re interested in,” Hunsader said. “I think it really helps me as a teacher because then I can kind of lead them in that direction.”