Tim Danielson, left, with members of the MCC esports team.
Spartan News is a presentation of Mason County Central School District in partnership with Mason County Press.
SCOTTVILLE — Mason County Central student success specialist and coach Tim Danielson is in the running for Reader’s Digest’s “America’s Favorite Teacher” contest.
The annual competition will award one educator a grand prize that includes $25,000, a trip to Hawaii and a school presentation by Bill Nye, known as the Science Guy.
Danielson said his work with students both in and out of the classroom has allowed him to connect with a wide range of youth.
“I really love working with students and helping to remove some of their barriers so they can be successful in school and life,” Danielson said.
In addition to his role at MCC, Danielson coaches the school’s esports and chess teams and leads an after-school game club known as Game Knights.
“I started the Game Knights game club to reach students who did not have a club to belong to,” he said. “We have grown every year and have a lot of fun.”
Danielson said the esports program was also created to provide opportunities for students not involved in traditional athletics.
“The program has had a lot of success in just two years, as we finished fourth in the state this past fall,” he said.
Beyond extracurricular activities, Danielson facilitates several small student groups, including anger management, a relationship support group he calls Banana Splits, and substance abuse education. He also helps coordinate the high school’s monthly Lunch ’n Learn educational series.
Voting in the national contest is open to the public. The first round runs through Thursday, March 26. Voters may cast one free vote per day.
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