Northern Michigan University alumna Damia Toyras ('02 BS, '14 MAE) is the recipient of a 2017 Michigan Reading Association K-6 Educator Award. Toyras is a second-grade teacher at Superior Hills Elementary School in Marquette.

According to her MRA award description, Toyras makes literacy a priority in her classroom. Her students are cared for as they celebrate their learning through the mistakes made. She creates opportunities for college undergraduates to visit her classroom to observe and participate in literacy best practices. In addition, Toyras has created a professional book study through the Marquette Alger Reading Council.

Toyras says, “I have the privilege of spending every day with little people who have big hearts, endless potential and funny stories to tell.”

She received the award at the 61st annual Michigan Reading Association conference, Passport to Possibilities, in March. Mary Sinclair, an Aspen Ridge kindergarten teacher and mentor teacher to NMU education students, also received an MRA K-6 Educator Award.