Kristy Britton
Kristen “Kristy” Britton received more than a syllabus when she arrived years ago for her first Geography class with Ferris State University professor Jennifer Johnson.
What Britton heard that day served as a catalyst academically and professionally. Nearly a decade later, the Ferris State alumna thrives in various roles with the Big Rapids High School faculty, including a recent surprise visit from State Representative Tom Kunse, for a classroom presentation of her 2023 Mecosta County Teacher of the Year award.
“I actually began studying Nuclear Medicine Technology at Ferris, then transferred to the Early Education program, working in a daycare to support costs of my education,” Britton said. “I was acquainted with Jennifer as her daughter came to the daycare. What I didn’t anticipate that first day was my reaction to her boldly expressing a real love for geography and how excited she was to share that with us.”
Britton said Johnson’s message made her consider what she had gained from summer vacations with her family and what the visits meant.
“We traveled to the great historical landmarks across the country,” Britton said. “Jennifer’s attitude inspired me to channel that same passion, applying that to my love of history, and choose instead to make my career as a teacher. I am so glad she sparked that feeling in me. We have enjoyed our conversations about how much that moment meant.”
Britton added that Humanities professor Gary Huey, from the College of Arts, Sciences and Education, was a favorite instructor as she completed her Bachelor of Science coursework in Social Studies Education, with a further nod to Johnson, adding a minor in Geography.
“They were co-Distinguished Teacher of the Year in 2014 and shared the role of commencement speaker at my commencement ceremony that fall,” Britton said. “Every day, I am so thankful that I get to teach history in my hometown, shaped by the examples of these great instructors.”
Britton now teaches World History and Geography, generally to freshman classes. Not all her students match her passion for history. But they typically understand that awareness of the past and the world can provide valuable perspectives on current events.
“My students do not have to love the material for us to work well together and succeed in class,” Britton said. “I begin by making them aware I care for each of them, then offer them the chance to learn and grow by joining me in a journey through history. I also want to say I am not unique. Our Big Rapids High School faculty is dedicated and invested in helping our students become lifelong learners and leaders.”
Britton advises the Student Council, saying it is an opportunity to reinforce her desire to serve each youngster she sees through the day.
“We have been working hard in council to bring our level of involvement back to what was familiar before the pandemic,” she said. “Two seniors who just graduated came to council in 2022 with the idea of a Senior Sunrise at the start of the school year and a Senior Sunset just before commencement.
That meant seeking support from area businesses for coffee and donuts one September morning before school and gathering prizes to make a successful event come together on short notice.
The Senior Sunset was even more involved, with entertainment on campus, more prizes, and a focus on their future and opportunities, with games and great camaraderie as part of their graduation week.
It was successful for a first-time offering, and the junior class council members watched this with great interest. They are full of ideas to make these events even better than our inaugural programs for the Class of 2024.
Britton said it is not unusual for students to join the Student Council as freshmen and serve their classmates and the high school throughout their time as Cardinals.
“It is so rewarding to see them develop as leaders,” she said. “I work to balance the amount of input I offer so they have license to learn and lead in these roles. They organize dances and Big Rapids’ prom each year, and host other events like Spirit Week and Snowcoming activities, along with our Earth Day Cleanup. All these efforts are a testament to their dedication to the school and their classmates. I make sure they know how much the work is appreciated, and our faculty and administration give the council great support.”
Britton’s after-school hours present opportunities to engage and enhance the lives of her students, as she serves as a junior varsity softball coach and staffs a variety of athletic and after-school events.
“It may be going the extra mile to some people, but I played softball as a Big Rapids High School student, and to coach along with Dawn Thompson, who had been my coach, is so rewarding,” Britton said. “Since most of my students are freshmen, I am acquainted with many of my players from the start of each school year. It is a different kind of relationship working as a team than being in the classroom, but it boils down to another way to exhibit one’s passion and see how that can translate to personal and team success.”
Beyond keeping a scorebook or operating game equipment, Britton is well-experienced in helping a contest start appropriately. She began singing the National Anthem at Ferris State hockey games in her university days after being invited to present “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Mecosta County Agricultural Free Fair events by her former employer, John Currie.
“I have been performing the anthem before harness racing and other fair activities since 2008,” Britton said. “My students ask me to sing now, and I am not going to let them down. Dawson and Mason Dunn, twin brothers who had key roles on our varsity basketball team this past season tried to prove their statistics were better, when I sang the anthem before the game. Even now, I am still a bit nervous before taking the microphone.”
Beyond her myriad contributions to the life of Big Rapids High School and the community, Britton has found time to further her learning by steadily advancing through a Master of Arts degree in American History from Gettysburg College, through online courses from the Gilder-Lehrman Institute of American History.
“I have no problem with staying busy and found that I can manage one class a semester, along with my other responsibilities,” Britton said. “Our family’s visit to Gettysburg is one of those formative moments for my love of history, and those feelings came back when I learned of the online degree program. It brought a tear to my eye, so I called my mother to tell her my plans and enrolled.”
Britton’s mother, Mindy, is the former executive secretary in Ferris State’s Academic Affairs office.
Britton said the courses are designed for K-12 educators, and she is on pace to complete her degree around the start of 2026.
“I am excited by each course I take and am looking forward to what I can learn this summer, which will benefit my teaching as I go along,” Britton said. “I am proud to continue and contribute to the town where I was raised. That may not be the path for everyone, but it has brought me great joy and fulfillment.”