Celebrating Marie Kruse
Kindergarten Teacher // Lake City Public Schools // 2025 South Zone MREA Educator of Excellence
For 20 years, kindergarten teacher Marie Kruse has been a joyful, steady presence in Lake City Public Schools—a teacher whose heart for rural communities, passion for agriculture, and deep love for children shape every moment in her classroom. Growing up on a family farm, Marie knew early on that small-town schools were where she belonged. Today, she pours that heritage into her teaching, giving young learners a foundation rooted in curiosity, confidence, and connection.
Marie lights up when her students “catch on,” when they can teach concepts to each other, and when learning suddenly clicks. Her classroom radiates warmth—bright smiles, little voices eager to greet her, and students who describe her as funny, kind, and “kind of like a mom.” It’s a place where even the hardest days are made better by the genuine excitement and affection of five- and six-year-olds.
One of the hallmarks of Marie’s teaching is her commitment to making learning real. Her classroom is filled with hands-on materials—many she finds, creates, or secures through grants—to immerse students in experiences they might not otherwise have. Her farm learning centers, complete with fences, tractors, livestock, and crops, give students a tactile understanding of agriculture at a time when most children are generations removed from the farm. And every spring, Marie organizes Ag Day, lining the street with combines, tractors, and equipment that captivate every student, regardless of background.
Her colleagues describe her as selfless, relationship-driven, and unwavering in her care for both students and staff. She goes above and beyond to make every child feel seen and valued.
Receiving this Educator of Excellence Award validates the years of dedication Marie has poured into her students. “Do it for the kids,” she says to future teachers. It’s clear she lives that advice every day—and Lake City is better because of her.
Congratulations Mrs. Kruse on being named a 2025 MREA Educator of Excellence in the South Zone. Mrs. Kruse was honored and celebrated in November at the MREA Greater Education Summit at Cragun’s Resort in Brainerd.