In Holly Becker’s classroom, math becomes joyful, personal, and empowering. With humor, warmth, and deep care, she builds confidence, inspires risk-taking, and turns students into believers—both in the subject and in themselves. Her impact reaches far beyond math.
For 42 years, Carin Hagemeyer has been making the 60-minute drive each way to teach in the Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa School District. Her passion and commitment for her students can easily be seen within the school building.
Playing ‘teacher’ as a child, Jennifer Maras has a passion for teaching that her students can see and feel every day. Her classroom is filled with an aura of optimism, energy, genuine care as students learn real-life business skills.
Dr. Jackie Stevens brings an energy and enthusiasm to her classroom that is unparalleled. Her dedication to education and staff personal development is felt by every educator in the district.
Jaqueline Stoffel developed a unified physical education program that pairs students with disabilities with other students to gain skills and develop friendships.
Jessica Strom has flipped her high school math classroom to allow her students to become the problem solvers and teach one another. It’s been a lightbulb moment for her students and other educators who have seen it in action. Learn more.
Mrs. Dougherty transforms learning through hands-on, real-world experiences that spark curiosity and confidence. Her students build, troubleshoot, create, and apply concepts in meaningful ways—making her classroom engaging, unforgettable, and a testament to the potential of rural Minnesota learners.
Kristin Doeden has seen a lot of change in her 31 years of teaching, but her desire to have a positive impact on her students and the Worthington community has not changed.
Jacob Johnson has a visual at the front of his classroom of the “Keys to Success.” He teaches his students that by following these ‘keys,’ they will find success both personally and in their school life.
Howard Van Otterloo offers his students an opportunity to see 48 states before they graduate high school – an opportunity not many people experience in a lifetime.
Kathrina O’Connell keeps coming up with big ideas to engage students, from a greenhouse and pollinator garden to an extensive summer literacy program.
Ryan Larson started a new academy inside his school district’s middle and high schools to provide a new approach to inter-disciplinary learning. The results have been life-changing for students who have struggled. Learn more.
Marie Kruse creates energetic, hands-on learning that turns every lesson into an experience. Her students build, explore, and apply real-world skills, gaining confidence, curiosity, and financial savvy. She embodies the strength of rural schools and the power of truly student-centered teaching.
There’s no shortage of energy when you walk into Angie Hurtig’s second grade classroom at Bertha-Hewitt Public Schools . Her hands-on teaching style gives her students a unique, interactive learning experience that is often remembered for a lifetime.
In an alternative learning center where student engagement rates are often low and conflict is often high, Dave Perry brings an approach to the Cloquet School District that embraces tribal tradition while maximizing student engagement.
Kristen Schwarz believes in teaching real-life skills to her students. She meets her students where they are, and fosters their individual interests to bring out the greatest potential in each of them.
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Chad Powers wears many hats for his school and community, but it is the one as volunteer firefighter and EMT that led him to develop an EMT program for his high school students.
Patrick Merrick helps students learn what they thought they couldn’t. He constantly develops new science classes and community projects and uses humor and teenage applications to engage students. Learn more.
Josh Watne turns history into immersive, hands-on experiences that spark curiosity, empathy, and critical thinking. His energetic, student-centered classroom fosters belonging and confidence, reflecting his commitment to giving students the same belief and opportunity his own teachers once gave him.
After leaving the corporate world searching for something more meaningful, Melissa Oberg fell in love with teaching special education at Cook County Public Schools. Her impact is significant, and her care for her students is obvious.
Courtney Skjerven has created a learning environment that is often the favorite part of his student’s day. Skjerven’s passion for teaching is on full display each day as the Technology Teacher, a position that didn’t exist at Challenger Elementary a few years ago.
John VanKempen instills a curiosity in his students that fosters problem solving, team work, and fun. Focusing on relevant skills and the wonder of nature, John teaches by doing and experiencing.
Andrew Hopkins meshes modern technology with traditional practices to transport his students around the world, uncover patterns and increase their sense of wonder.
Anthony McGee teaches by walking around, asking good questions and engaging students in new, hands-on experiences once limited to schools in large metro areas – like a mobile lab with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Learn more.
