Tecumseh Counselor Nominated for National LifeChanger of the Year Award

Her nameplate reads Ms. Honsinger, but at Tecumseh High School, students often call her "Honny." A simple, sweet testament to how much trust she's built with the students she serves.

Britney Honsinger, the 9th and 10th grade counselor at Tecumseh High School, has been nominated for LifeChanger of the Year, a national award recognizing educators making a lasting difference in their schools and communities. The nomination came from Tecumseh High School principal Jaime Griggs, who called Honsinger "essential to the success of countless students," adding that the school wouldn't know what to do without her.

The nomination highlights a counselor who treats behavior as communication rather than a problem to be managed. Rather than addressing surface-level symptoms, Honsinger works to understand what's actually going on with a student, then partners with students, families, and staff to build individualized plans that support them academically and personally.

Her open-door policy has made her a fixture of daily life at Tecumseh High School. Students describe her as someone they can talk to without fear of judgment, someone who listens first and offers perspective second. That reputation shows up throughout dozens of comments left on her nomination page, many from current and former students describing her as a steady, safe presence during hard days.

Beyond her counseling role, Honsinger has built a reputation for showing up everywhere she can be useful — serving on nearly every committee at the school, using her skill with data to help move students forward, and stepping in as an advocate for vulnerable students even in difficult situations. Her nomination specifically points to her commitment to student safety and her willingness to protect students, regardless of how hard that job gets.

LifeChanger of the Year is a national program that recognizes K-12 educators and school staff for the impact they have on students and their communities. Honsinger's nomination is one of thousands submitted nationwide, and it's already drawing strong support from Tecumseh students, parents, and colleagues eager to see her recognized.

Just another reminder of the immense good happening in Pottawatomie County schools every day.