Educators of Excellence

Teachers change our world. They infuse curiosity, innovation and kindness into our next generation. Here's how.

MREA travels the state to see some of our greatest educators in action. We talked to their students, colleagues and community. We left invigorated about the future and prouder than ever about a profession that is making a difference each and every day. Learn more about Educators of Excellence.

Carin
Hagemeyer

Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Schools

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.

Watch her story

Jenny
Maras

Morris Public Schools

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.

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Dr. Jackie
Stevens

Mora

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.

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Jaqueline
Stoffel

Bemidji

Jaqueline Stoffel developed a unified physical education program that pairs students with disabilities with other students to gain skills and develop friendships.

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Jessica
Strom

Win-E-Mac

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.

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Kristin Doeden

Worthington Public Schools

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.

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Jacob Johnson

Windom Area Schools

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.

Watch his story

Howard_VanOtterloo

Howard Van Otterloo

Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton

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.

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Kathrina O’Connell

Lake Park-Audubon

Kathrina O’Connell keeps coming up with big ideas to engage students, from a greenhouse and pollinator garden to an extensive summer literacy program.

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Ryan
Larson

Pine City

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.

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Angie Hurtig

Bertha-Hewitt Public Schools

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.

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Dave Perry

Cloquet Area Public Schools

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.

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Kristen
Schwarz

Fisher

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

New London-Spicer

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.

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Patrick
Merrick

Westbrook-Walnut Grove

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.

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Melissa Oberg

Cook County Public Schools

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.

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Courtney Skjerven

Thief River Falls Public Schools

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.

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John VanKempen

West Central Area

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.

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Andrew Hopkins

Waseca

Andrew Hopkins meshes modern technology with traditional practices to transport his students around the world, uncover patterns and increase their sense of wonder.

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Anthony
McGee

Plainview-Elgin-Milville

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.

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Educators of Excellence Awards Presented by

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