Two Nights Celebrating Educator Excellence
More than 100 teachers and staff from schools in Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd, and Wadena counties and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe were selected by school administration for outstanding dedication, leadership, and innovation. For their achievements, they were celebrated as Educators of Excellence at one of two special events hosted by Sourcewell on Wednesday, April 29, and Wednesday, May 6, in Blacksmith Main at The Northern Pacific Center in Brainerd.
The event recognized and awarded local educators who positively impacted students and colleagues. This year, in addition to 53 Teachers of Excellence, 49 non-teaching staff were also named and recognized as Pillars of Excellence. The event was divided into two nights with school districts in each half of the region recognized at one of the two events.
An additional award called Innovator of the Year, given by the Innovative Schools Project (ISP), was presented to Randy Thompson from Menahga High School.
Andrea Mortensen, Regional Solutions Senior Project Manager at Sourcewell, reflects on this incredible event.
“We’re proud to host the annual Educators of Excellence celebration that recognizes outstanding educators and staff whose work is both deeply meaningful and incredibly demanding,” says Mortensen. “Their dedication shapes students, strengthens communities, and makes a lasting impact every day.”
Educators from the following districts were honored: Bertha-Hewitt, Brainerd, Cass Lake-Bena, Crosby-Ironton, Crosslake Community, Freshwater Education District, Little Falls, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle, Mid-State Education District, Menahga, Northland Community, Pequot Lakes, Pierz, Pillager, Pine River-Backus, Royalton, Sebeka, Staples-Motley, Swanville, Upsala, Verndale, Wadena-Deer Creek, and Walker-Hackensack-Akeley.
The Educators of Excellence celebrations were broadcast live on Facebook for the general public, and recordings are available to view for both April 29 and May 6.