United Voices, Vol. 6 No. 3

UNITED VOICES VOL. 6 NO. 3

We are United for YOU!

EDUCATOSRpeciAalPEdPitioRnECIATION

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President’s Post

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Educator Appreciation Contest Winners

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Educator Appreciation Shines Brightly Across ND

President’s Post

North Dakota Appreciates Our Educators

School closures have tested our bonds, but distance cannot separate us Hello, and welcome to this special edition of United Voices magazine! Now, more than ever, the public at large is cognizant of the incredibly vital work that our teachers and education support professionals do every day. Our outstanding educators have always had an unyielding commitment to educate every child that walks, runs, rolls or is carried through our schoolhouse doors. In this age of Covid-19, they are equally committed to do the same for our children learning from home.

Our outstanding teachers have always had an unyielding commitment to educate every child that walks, runs, rolls or is carried through our schoolhouse doors.

In this age of Covid-19, they are equally committed to do the same for our children learning from home.

From the moment schools were closed to children, teachers, working with their administration, rose to the challenge of creating a high-quality distance learning protocol so that learning could continue.

Many teachers were forced out of their comfort zones, but they did not mind because their singular focus was on doing what was right for their students. They have shown brilliantly their creativity, their compassion and their love for their students. Throughout this period, teachers have made it a point to over-communicate with their students because they know that education is predicated on relationships.

This separation has been hard for students and educators alike.

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By Nick Archuleta NDU President

During a normal school year, the end of the school year is on cruise control.

Educators and students have formed a bond. They know how to joke with each other. They know how to inspire each other; they know how to encourage each other. This year, all that was ended too soon in the blink of an eye. And neither teachers nor their beloved students were ready for that.

Teachers knew that their students still needed them. Educators all knew that their bonds were strong and that despite not being in the same physical space, they could be in the same aspirational place. That is why you see the parades through students’ neighborhoods, and teachers greeting their students through the windows, and the countless videos of teachers cheering their students on and keeping their spirits high.

In many communities, there will not be the traditional capstone event of graduation ceremonies. Nor will many of our outstanding retiring teachers receive the send-off and recognition that they so richly deserve. As frustrating as that is, however, we know that things will be better over the horizon. We know this because in every corner of our state, there are amazing educators teaching and caring for amazing children, and the result will be a brighter future for all of us.

Educator Appreciation Contest Winners 50 nominations were randomly selected out of 670 entries to receive $50 Visa gift cards “She loves her students and always strives to do what is best for each of them.

She is a blessing to everyone.”

Noel Barth, Hazen “She’s very passionate with all her students that at times can be very challenging and inspirational. Her students love her and spending time with her throughout the year. She has so much patience and love for her profession, teaching her students. She gets excited about planning her lessons and classes for the day. She has great, strong relationships with her students and shows them that she cares about them as people. She’s warm, accessible, enthusiastic and caring, with an amazing smile every day.”

Fate Schuster, Fargo “I am nominating my sister, Samantha Delvo, because she is such an amazing

teacher who cares for her students both inside and outside of the classroom.

She is always being asked for advice from students who are having a hard time and loves talking with them and helping them. She is a FACS teacher, so her classroom requires a lot of different materials and supplies in order for it to function properly. I know she would put this money to good use in her classroom.” Samantha Delvo, Fargo “Beth always goes above and beyond for her students. She is constantly finding better ways to help her students learn. She acknowledges that children learn differently and allows her students to shine using their gifts. She is a wonderful educator who truly has passion for her students.”

Beth Schmieg, Tappen

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Educator Appreciation Shines Brightly Across ND Crosby

Mohall Kenmare

Grenora

Bottineau

Newburg

Belcourt

Dunseith

Pembina

Walhalla

Rolla

Westhope

Cavalier

Langdon

Rolette

Drayton St. Thomas

Tioga

Towner

Berthold

Stanley

Burlington

Williston Trenton

Surrey

Parshall

Rugby

Park River

Minto

Leeds

Granville

Manvel Devils Lake

Velva Maddock

Makoti

Watford City

Grafton

Edmore

Minot Sawyer

New Town

Cando

Grand Forks

Inkster

McCanna Petersburg Emerado Larimore

Fort Totten

Northwood McVille

Max Harvey

Thompson

New Rockford Garrison Binford

Goodrich

Underwood

Carrington

Hazen

Dodge

Mayville

Finley

Cooperstown Hope

Sutton

Washburn

Hillsboro

Beulah

Hunter Wilton

Dickinson

Beach

South Heart

Arthur

Wing Tappen

Hebron

Gladstone

New Salem

Mandan

West Fargo

Wimbledon

Richardton

Valley City Jamestown

Steele

Bismarck

Casselton

Fargo Horace

Lincoln Kindred

Enderlin

Gackle

Colfax Regent

Mott

Elgin

Flasher

Linton Scranton Fort Yates

In March, we launched an online Nominate An Educator contest on our website, www.ndunited.org, and asked North Dakotans to nominate educators to receive one of 50, $50 Visa gift cards. The response we saw exceeded our wildest expectations. In all, we had 670 nominations, praising educators from 125 different North Dakota communities. Check out the map to see just how much love we received for educators from every corner of our state! |

Jud Edgeley

Bowman

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Lisbon

Wishek

Wyndmere

LaMoure Stirum Gwinner Oakes

Strasburg

Abercrombie

Milnor

Wahpeton

Ligerwood

Forman

Hankinson

Ashley

The 50 gift card winners were chosen at random. We are sharing the thoughtful tributes written about these 50 educators in this special edition of United Voices, as a snapshot of just how truly loved and appreciated all of our North Dakota educators are, all across our state. ndunited.org

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“Lana is so deserving! She is our speechlanguage pathologist (SLP). This school year, we couldn’t fill a learning disability (LD) position, and Lana agreed to take on our elementary intellectual disabilities (ID)/emotional disability (ED)/LD students along with her speech-language students. She has coordinated six paras’ schedules and her own to serve our students! The paperwork and meetings have been brutal for her also. She’s a good friend and a great educator!”

Lana Clyde, Underwood “Mrs. Walker made a difference in my child’s learning. She picked up that she was a struggling reader even though her grades were fine. She tried to implement leveled reading for her students based on their levels and started a leveled-reader library on her own since the school would not grant her the funds to get the program. She cares about the kids and always goes above and beyond to assist the kids in her room at the students’ learning level by helping struggling learners and encouraging excel students.”

Nicole Walker, Bowman “The amount of time, even with ‘no school,’ she puts into her students is unbelievable.”

Christine Bopp, Stirum “Brad is loved by all students. He goes out of his way to give a handshake greeting to a student with autism in our school, and he has a

conversation with him everyday; whereas, others struggle to understand that student. Brad is relatable and creative in his teaching because of his unconventional background through the transition to teaching program.”

Bradley Johnson, Walhalla “Mrs. Meier puts so much time, energy and money into her students and classroom! Very deserving of this award!” Brenda Meier, Mott “Traci is an outstanding teacher. She goes above and beyond for her classmates and treats the students as if they are her own children. Caring, giving, sincere and has a great heart!”

Traci Hanson, Gwinner “For the past 13 years I have watched my mom get up every day during the school year and give students a reason to want to come to school. Despite how tired she may be at the end of the day, I know my mom is changing the lives of young children who will be our future.

She helps my dad farm during the school year and work a full-time job as a thirdgrade teacher. There is nothing more meaningful to me than hearing a student or a parent talk about how much they

adore her teaching and passion.”

Marla Jensen, Kenmare “Lindsey is an awesome, dedicated, caring K-12 school counselor who pours her whole heart and many times her pocketbook to reach out to the school students and staff to make their educational experience the best it can be!”

Lindsey Bravender, Flasher “Amber is a fifth-grade teacher. She is one of the most dedicated educators that I have come across. She is also generous and makes sure her students are always taken care of. Whether it be school supplies, fun things she does in her classroom, etc.”

Amber DeMorrett, Bowman “He works really hard to help sixth graders learn ELA.” Josh Rants, Mandan “I would like to use this $50 to help out my families during this tough time.

Staying home can be a tremendous burden for those depending on us.

Please consider this gift as it is intended for families in need.”

Kristie Mahor-Ortiz, Fargo

“Miss Mairs is a first-year teacher that has spent much of her own money to make her classroom fun and inviting.

She is an advocate for her school, co-workers and school children. She exhausts herself each week because she is excited to be able to teach these young students and is happy doing this.”

Jenna Mairs, Barnes County “Ashley is an incredible teacher who inspires her students to grow and learn every day. She holds high expectations for all students and is loving and caring to all. Even amidst personal trial and lifechanging events happening at home, she comes to school every day with a smile and works hard to help the children she loves.”

Ashley Houghton, Bismarck “Diane exemplifies what it means to love people and teaching. She cares about the individual and does everything in her power to make the students successful.”

Diane Mertens, Devils Lake “Randy has been teaching 30+ years.

He is very attentive with his students and his students’ needs. He engages students, gets involved and gets the students to think in a variety of ways.

He really shows he cares about his students. He is caring and enthusiastic about what he does. Randy is truly an outstanding teacher.”

Randy Votava, Grand Forks

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“She is an advocate for providing her students with the best differentiated instruction they deserve. She does this through health issues and family crisis.

I promise the $50 will be spent wisely!”

Brandy Geloff, Bismarck “Jackie is one of the most caring, patient and understanding teachers that I have met and worked with.

She is so kind to parents and co-workers as well. Jackie always has a smile on her face and love in her heart.️” Jackie Zwingel, Fargo “Gretchen graduated from college last year as a wife and mother to a 1 and 3 year old. She is a first-year teacher to a first-grade class at Century School in Grand Forks. My is an amazing teacher.

She spends time and money on her classroom, making sure the students have everything they need. She a caring, creative, kind and friendly teacher, and her students love her.”

Gretchen Devier, Grand Forks “Pam is an outstanding teacher who gets to know her students.

She is a loving constant for so many of our kids who don’t have that. She is the first teacher to celebrate even the

smallest gains a student has made. She has started an art club at our school that students LOVE! She is a mentor to many new and returning teachers as she supports and loves YOU for who you are at that moment.”

Pam Baker, Bismarck “Rose is selfless. She gives it all for each student. She is creative, caring and thorough. She is a great team player and helps those around her (students and staff ) achieve their best.”

Rosemarie Woodbury, Fargo “Dedicated, caring, creative, common-sense approach to helping little ones and their parents live and learn and grow together.”

Alicia Fladeland, Bismarck “She does an amazing job with her kindergarten kids at apple creek school.

She puts in a lot of extra time and treats the kids as if they were her own. I think she deserves a little recognition every once in a while.”

Amanda Fuller, Bismarck “Ariel is an outstanding teacher. She is wanting to make a lemonade stand out of wood and paint it. This stand, the students would create

by using tools and wood. They would find the area, perimeter and various other math skills would be implemented. The money earned would be given to Alex’s Lemonade Foundation. This foundation helps children with cancer. So, this money would be a pay it forward lesson.

I highly recommend Ariel for this gift card. She’s truly one of the best educators I know.”

Ariel Mezzenga, Fargo “Son loves school this year mostly in part to his teacher. She does an amazing job with her students.”

Beth Kocis, Bismarck “I work with many students in special education who need school supplies and haven’t eaten breakfast. I am often providing for those crucial needs for my amazing kiddos.”

Marni Pfeifer, Fargo “Darlene is an exceptional, passionate and caring teacher!

She goes above and beyond to make sure her students understand the materials that she presents in class. She gives up many duty-free lunch hours to help students with late work, missing work or having

students make corrections on lessons, so they understand the concept that they had gotten wrong.”

Darlene Ruud, Garrison “Kendra is dedicated to her students’ success. She works hard to teach her students the curriculum and to become good citizens. She teaches second grade but is also involved in the volleyball program. This allows her to share her abilities with junior high and high school students as well. She is an excellent teacher who loves her students!”

Kendra Zaj, Thompson “She is a wonderful teacher that puts her all into her students.

She has faced many obstacles but continues to keep going.”

Barbara Wiege, Dickinson “When she talks about what she does in her class, I am in awe of her. She is a great teacher!”

Sarah Deyle, Fargo “She is an amazing teacher, and she definitely deserves this!”

Mary Paulsrud, Ashley

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“Pam goes above and beyond for her students. She creates a safe and inviting environment for her students.

In the last three years, she has moved grade levels from sixth, second and currently third. With each move, she has spent her own money to create an inviting environment in each new classroom.

I can’t think of a more deserving teacher than Pam.” Pam Faul, Harvey “Grayson goes the extra mile to build relationships with his students that are struggling. His students know that he cares about them beyond the classroom walls, and it shows in the way he is respected and loved by the students at his school!”

Grayson Erling, Bismarck “She is a new teacher who has been working so hard to help those around her. She puts others’ needs before her own and would be very deserving of this sweet gift!”

Karlee Feist, Hope “Katie has been here for me this school year, being my biggest support!”

Katie Olson, Bismarck

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“Justin is in his third year of teaching, and I love when he talks about teaching and the passion that he has for it. His students are lucky to have a teacher so passionate.”

Justin Undem, Forman “Hard-working, talented, dedicated educator!”

Heidi Rohr, Fargo

“Amazing person, kind-hearted, good teacher, funny, genuine.”

Darin Johnson, Fargo “My wife teaches third grade at Lewis and Clark elementary in Mandan.

She spends countless hours at school preparing for the days to come. She spends much of her own money for coats, gloves, hats and sometimes shoes for her underprivileged students.

On a given year, 3/4 of her students are requested, and have been since she began teaching in 2008. She is one of the best teachers around, and I am so proud of her.”

Amber Kocourek, Mandan “She works with preschool children and always does what’s best for their whole wellbeing.”

Jill Grumbo, Washburn

“Mrs. Cantler has been a godsend this year. She genuinely cares for her students.

She takes the time to know her students, manage her approach to reach them and communicates openly with parents.

She’s a wonderful educator and greatly deserves this.”

Jennifer Cantler, Fargo “Mrs. Hendrickx saw through my child’s chattiness and saw that he was a smart, kind and caring kid.

She encouraged him to help others and in his education. He became a better student because she saw his potential and helped him develop into the person he is today.

She is amazing.”

Jolene Hendrickx, Bowman “Ms. Melby has taken my non-reading preschooler and turned her into a chapter-reading book kid within six months. My kiddo is thriving in school and adores Ms. Melby! We were so lucky to get Ms. Melby as our daughter’s first teacher!”

Nora Melby, West Fargo “Holly is an amazing lady.

She works long, hard hours and is the most compassionate person toward others. She always puts others before herself.

You’ll never hear her complain about anything. The sweetest person you will ever find, even outside of school! Her family is the most important people in her life. She also teaches Sunday school. Runs nonstop for her children who are in 4-H and FFA, showing rabbits, goats and other animals. This woman has climbed many mountains to get where she is today.”

Holly Kersten, Max “I am nominating Holly for this because she definitely goes above and beyond! She works hard to build her classroom to be the perfect location for her fourth graders to feel independent. She works hard to build relationships with each and every one of her students and puts her heart and soul and everything into what she does!” Holly Dewitz, Minot “She helps you and makes it easier for you to understand what you are doing. She also is a fun, outgoing teacher who helps everyone who doesn’t have what they need to do. She also is funny and outgoing.”

Victoria Arneson, Williston “She is an amazing teacher.”

Helene Zelaya, Fargo

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North Dakota United 301 N 4th St Bismarck, ND 58501-4020

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PERMIT NO. 433 BISMARCK, ND