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Trisha Schaefer, a teacher at Erik Ramstad Middle School, Minot, has been selected as the Ward County Teacher of the Year.
State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler on Friday released the names of the 42 North Dakota educators who have been named as County Teachers of the Year for 2023, saying their passion for serving students and families uphold the state's tradition of excellence in public education.
"Our county Teachers of the Year are among our best at educating the next generation of young North Dakotans. They impart knowledge in reading, math, science, and other subjects, and they do it with passion, empathy, imagination, and a spirit of service," Baesler said. "They embody the best qualities of the teaching profession."
Other area county winners are: Bottineau, Jocelyn Grann, Westhope Public School; Burke, Valerie Bolen, Powers Lake School; Eddy, Laura Hager, New Rockford-Sheyenne Public School, New Rockford; McHenry, Magdeline Brandt, TGU Granville School, Granville; McLean, Randall Hanson, Washburn Public School; Mountrail, Kyle VanWagoner, Edwin Loe Elementary, New Town; Pierce, Andee Mattson, Ely Elementary, Rugby; Renville, Rebecca Young, Glenburn Public Schools; Rolette, Eric LaRocque, Turtle Mountain Middle School, Belcourt; Wells, Kori Jensen, Harvey Public School.
A total of 146 educators were nominated from 48 counties; of those, 83 applied for a county award. The applications were then reviewed and scored, and winners from 41 counties were chosen earlier this month. Cass County had two winners due to identical scores.
Nominations came from students, family members, teachers, and school administrators. Anyone who believes a North Dakota teacher is deserving of recognition may make a nomination.
The county awards are part of North Dakota's state Teacher of the Year recognition program. County Teacher of the Year winners will be sent applications to be considered for state Teacher of the Year.
North Dakota law requires that the 2024 state Teacher of the Year be named before Sept. 30. The 2024 North Dakota Teacher of the Year's term begins Jan. 1, 2024, and will run through Dec. 31, 2024.