Longtime educator Kristin (Kristie) Danielson Fink has been named the recipient of the 2014 Sanford N. McDonnell Award for Lifetime Achievement in Character Education by The Character Education Partnership.

Kristie, who is currently a faculty member at Utah State University, worked in Granite School District for nearly 25 years as a teacher and a language arts specialist. She spent time at Kearns Junior High, Hunter Junior High, and Olympus High School.

In a press release issued by The Character Education Partnership, Kristie is noted as being “a tireless and effective contributor to both practice and policy, and a mentor to thousands who have become character education teachers, leaders, researchers and policymakers.”

Her daughter, Tracy Jensen, currently teaches third grade at Taylorsville Elementary and is one of many individuals who has benefited from Kristie’s influence.

“She’s taught me the importance of creating a pro-social learning environment so that all students can grow and succeed,” Jensen said. “Her example motivates me in my own classroom to remember the powerful impact we have as educators to touch and change lives.”