SHE'S THE REAL MVP. Kristi Kjelstad, a counselor at Hillcress School in Chippewa Falls, was recently named TDS Telecommunications’ Most Valuable Educator for Wisconsin. (Submitted photos)

Chippewa Falls is celebrating elementary school counselor Kristi Kjelstad this winter, who was recently awarded TDS Telecommunications’ Most Valuable Educator prize. The award was created by TDS to celebrate Wisconsin educators who makes a difference in the livess of their students and communities.

The prize package consisted of four all-inclusive tickets to the Green Bay Packers vs. Tampa Bay game on Dec. 17, as well as a tour of Lambeau Field alongside a group of students and a meeting with Packers alumni.

Kjelstad is congratulated by her family.

Kjelstad has been a counselor – and longtime Packers fan – at Hillcrest Elementary School in Chippewa Falls since 2012. She was presented the award on Nov. 17 at a surprise assembly in front of her students and family members, who were invited to share the day.

“I nominated Kristi Kjelstad for the TDS Most Valuable Educator Award because she shows up each day for students, staff, and families. The entire Hillcrest community looks to Kristi for her leadership, guidance, empathy, and kindness,” said Kara Vergin, a  library media specialist at the school.

Kjelstad was selected out of a pool of more than 50 nominations for the positive impact she has made on her school. Providing a good influence outside the classroom too, Kjelstad helps produce Hillcrest Happenings, a fifth-grade news program; coaches the school’s Girls on the Run program, empowering young girls through activity and discussion; and has served the school through faculty committee roles as well. To students, she is widely known for lunch “check-ins” and responding to students in need, as well as organizing career speakers for classrooms.

“Kristi goes above and beyond to help students and families and is exactly the kind of unsung hero we wanted to recognize with the Most Valuable Educator Award,” said Marcus Stabe, TDS associate manager of field marketing.

Among the nominees were several other Chippewa Valley educators, including Jay Mielke of Altoona High School; Felicia Verdegan of Little Star Day Care in Altoona; and Donna Goodman of Chippewa Falls Senior High School.

Learn more about TDS Fiber online. See the full list of awarded educators online.