The Mariemont City School District Award of Excellence is awarded annually to an individual who exemplifies dedication to and support of Mariemont City Schools. Maintenance Technician Dennis Koenigsknecht is the recipient of the 2023-24 Award of Excellence.
It is not hyperbole to say that Dennis has built this school district. He has worked in the Mariemont City School District for 30 years, forging relationships with staff, students, parents and community members. Everyone knows and love Dennis because he spends time in each school building and the central office every week.
As the Maintenance Technician, he is the problem solver and “fix-it man” of the school district. He has built shelving in classrooms and offices throughout the district to aid in storage and organization. He constructed concrete stairs leading up to a new parking lot at the high school. He also designed and built an outdoor terrace at Mariemont Elementary to give teachers a safe and secure outdoor classroom option. You can routinely find him fixing fencing around playgrounds assisting in grounds maintenance at all school buildings when needed. As many staff members can attest, Dennis will always answer your call and will be on hand to fix your problem as fast as possible.
Dennis also contributes to the arts as the lead set designer for the Mariemont High School fall play and spring musical. He works closely with the directors and student performers to build beautiful and intricate sets to allow our performers to shine. We are a small district with a history of immensely popular and successful musicals, thanks in large part to the stage production that Dennis creates each year.
He has truly unique life experiences that give him a one-of-a-kind perspective on the job. Upon graduating high school he entered the seminary where he met his future wife. He also decided to go back to college later in life to get a degree in education, a passion he discovered after his many years working in the school district. Dennis is a certified 4-9 language arts teacher, but decided to stay in his role as the maintenance technician for Mariemont City Schools. Now he uses his leadership skills to mentor colleagues.
But his biggest gift to our district might be his endearing kindness and charisma. No matter the task, Dennis does it with a smile on his face, often asking how else he can be of service. He is a renaissance man in the truest sense and we are lucky to have him on our Mariemont City Schools team.