TABLE OF CONTENTS

Expect the Unexpected

Kelly Hagen, United Voices Editor

It’s like we always say here at United Voices. Expect the unexpected.

I doubt any of us expected to live through a pandemic when 2020 started. But that’s what happened to all of us, in the middle of March, and we all watched as public schools and universities shut down temporarily, and public educators and employees were forced to completely rebuild everything they knew about how to work from home, while still providing the high-quality public education and services that our state’s people have come to expect.

It was an awe-inspiring challenge, and to watch how hard all of you worked to set up online systems of delivery for education and public services overnight was beyond humbling for all of us at North Dakota United.

This summer issue of UV is a tribute to all of you. Thank you for all that you do, in good times and in bad, in service to students, families and communities of our state. Together, we will get through this, stronger than we’ve ever been. United as one.

3 President’s Post

4 First Experiences

10 Education Mindset

14 Testing is Part of the Answer

16 Overcoming Obstacles

18 2020 NDU Foundation Scholarship and Grant Winners

24 Quality Services Provide Safety

25 NDU Delegate Assembly

26 Meet the Staff

28 Upcoming NDU Events

United Voices is the official publication of North Dakota United, 301 N 4th St, Bismarck, ND 58501 Contact Us: 701.223.0450 | comments@ndunited.org Postmaster, send address changes to: North Dakota United, 301 N 4th St, Bismarck, ND 58501