Onsted, MI – For almost 20 years, Dyan Biringer has been part of Onsted Community Schools. She started out teaching high school math and today works as the district’s Continuous Improvement Coordinator. Her love for learning and her passion for helping students and teachers have guided every step of her career.
Dyan’s journey in education began with a simple love of math. "In high school, I loved math so much and really didn’t know any other job that would let me do math all the time," she shared. When she started teaching, she quickly realized many students didn’t love math the way she did. That challenge pushed her to make learning a more positive experience for her students.
After many years in the classroom, Dyan began exploring new ways to make a difference. In 2018, Onsted Schools joined a state initiative called the "Transformation Zone," where she served as part of the school leadership team focused on driving improvement efforts, particularly in literacy. During this time, she also completed training in Cognitive Coaching, which sparked her passion for supporting other educators. These experiences opened the door to new opportunities and ultimately led to her current role as Continuous Improvement Coordinator.
Now, no two days look the same for Dyan. Some days she’s helping organize state testing, making sure everything runs smoothly for students and teachers. Other days, she’s gathering feedback, reviewing test scores, or working with leadership teams to plan improvements across the district. A big part of her job is supporting teachers—helping with curriculum, offering professional learning, and making sure students get the best education possible.
One project she’s especially proud of is bringing back the curriculum review cycle to Onsted Schools. "I believe this will bring more consistency, accountability, and stability to our curriculum, instruction, and assessments," Dyan said.
Collaboration is a big part of her work too. Dyan meets regularly with teachers, administrators, and families to understand what each building needs and help everyone stay connected. "It’s not always easy for teachers in different buildings to work together, so I like to help bridge that gap," she explained.
When it comes to success, Dyan looks beyond just numbers. She believes success means teachers feel supported, students are growing and thriving, families feel connected, and the district continues to get stronger over time. "The way we reach these goals changes as our students, families, and community change," she said.
Dyan also wants the community to know that improvement doesn’t mean something is wrong. "Even strong schools need to keep growing to meet the changing needs of students, teachers, and families," she shared. Much of her work—like studying data and planning new programs—happens behind the scenes, but it leaves a lasting impact.
She’s guided by a piece of advice that shapes her approach: “Consistency is not a substitute for rationality.” In other words, just because something has always been done a certain way doesn’t mean it’s still the best way.
At the end of the day, Dyan’s goal is simple: to help make sure every student in Onsted has access to a high-quality education. "When our schools grow and improve, it benefits every family, neighborhood, and future in our community," she said.
In Dyan Biringer, Onsted Community Schools has a leader quietly and powerfully shaping a brighter future for every student, teacher, and family.