A Canfield Village Middle School seventh-grade teacher was celebrated during a Board of Education meeting Wednesday before his retirement after 33 years in education on March 1, 2026.

Michael Kerensky's final day as a school teacher was Friday, surrounded by friends, faculty and students. 

"Honestly, it's bittersweet," Kerensky said. "I told people I'm stopping saying it's my last day, I'm saying it's the first day of what's coming next."

Kerensky began his career as a student teacher in Campbell, citing that his time there helped him see the value in connection, loyalty and marked "such a formative time" early in his teaching career.

''I heard about him before I even came to Canfield," Judd Rubin, Canfield Middle School principal, said. "Middle school is all about making connections with students. I'm not quite sure I found anyone better at making connections with students of all ranges."

"Mr. K," as he is known to many students and fellow teachers, says that he is passionate about what he does and that he is only leaving because he has gotten older.

"I'm not as funny as I was, I'm not as cool as I was and I just got older...I don't ever want to do this job poorly," he said.

The students, to Kerensky, deserve to have a teacher who is still connected to the youth. He also stated that the students often don't realize how much they impact their teachers.

"Knowing that I have been able to be a part of, I counted, it's roughly 4,000 students that have walked through the door," Kerensky said. "They all walked in as students and they all leave as 'my kids,' they're mine." 

Colleagues spoke of Kerensky's warmth, kindness and strong relationships he has made during his time in the district.

Kerensky is also a U.S. Army Veteran and served as the Canfield Boys golf coach.