SCEA Educator Recognition 2018 2019 Michelle Engelstad ALC

SCEA Educator Recognition 2018 2019

Michelle Engelstad: ALC Nominated by: Karen Swager Michelle inspires her students every day because she genuinely cares for them as individuals and cares about their education. She gives each student 1: 1 personal attention and individual student paced instruction. She also serves them as a confidant, mentor, and educator extraordinaire.

Michelle Engelstad: ALC 1. How long have you taught? How long in our district? I have taught for 20 years and another 4 years of substitute teaching while I was getting my music education degree. I have been in district for 16 years. 2. Tell about your current area of responsibility (grade level, building assignment, extra curricular, etc. ) I am currently assigned to teacher all mathematics at the St. Croix Valley Area Learning Center which is 9 12 th grade. I also teach art and music as needed. 3. Share a favorite teaching memory. My favorite is watching graduates graduate and ring the bell who did not think they would ever get to do so. 4. What is your educational inspiration or an inspirational education quote? "Grow through what you go through. ” This is an inspirational quote that guides me to remember that my students are going through things that I am not aware of and I need to help them see themselves as capable.

Laurie Hansen: SAHS Nominated by: Rachel Steil Laurie is inspirational in so many ways. She encourages her students to think critically and to challenge themselves as learners. She is a mentor to many within the department. She is also a leader within the journalism community with her work at the Minnesota Journalism Education Association President and a member of the National Scholastic Press Association board.

Laurie Hansen: SAHS 1. How long have you taught? How long in our district? 34 years total; 30 years at SAHS 2. Tell about your current area of responsibility (grade level, building assignment, extra curricular, etc. ) 12 R English, Journalism, Yearbook, Stylus Creative Arts Magazine 3. Share a favorite teaching memory. The time my 1996 newspaper staff got censored by the superintendent for covering a story about an off campus fight. Andrew Wallmeyer, the editor of that paper is now the CEO of Minn. Post. Doing the 100 yearbook in 2016 (even though I cried a lot that year) was also pretty fun in the long run. A more recent story (last week) is one of my seniors (Shamus Boe) who wants to buy one of my travel photographs because "It would be really cool to have that as a memento of my senior year English class, and because you're a pretty cool teacher Ms. Hansen. " I'm going to carry that one with me for awhile. First, I used to set up my stuffed animal collection in front of my easel blackboard when I was a child and teach them basic math and English, so I think it was in the stars for me. Later, I was inspired to teach English by my high school English teacher and newspaper adviser, Larry Pleggenkuhl. Rachel Steil, with her creativity and work ethic, inspires me daily. 4. What is your educational inspiration or an inspirational education quote? My favorite quote is the one by Calvin Coolidge: "Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. ” Another one which is one my journalism students know me well for saying: "Life is tough, but it's tougher when you're stupid. " John Wayne.

Michelle Haugen: Oakland Middle School Nominated by: Kiersten Burgess I would like to nominate Michelle Haugan who teaches mathematics at Oak Land Middle School. I have had the pleasure of working with Michelle for 20 years at Oak Land, although she was at Oak Land long before I arrived. Oak Land has been Michelle’s one and only school for her entire teaching career, and what an amazing career she’s had. I consider her a friend, a mentor, and a colleague, and although she’s always been inspiring to me, she’s been even more inspiring to her students. Both of my daughters were fortunate to have Michelle as their 9 th grade Algebra 2 teacher. They absolutely loved her! She truly cares about her students, and her students know it. She sets high expectations, and then supports her students as they grow and learn. She goes out of her way to provide additional support to students who need it. She has a way of making difficult lessons FUN to learn. And although Michelle’s students know what a wonderful teacher she is, what they probably don’t realize is how much she pushes herself to become a better teacher, year after year. She has never stopped learning she’s always willing to try new techniques and change with the times. She keeps what works and adapts what doesn’t. In my opinion, and with former students who can back me up, I can tell you that Michelle has perfected the art of teaching. She’s simply the best!

Michelle Haugen: Oakland Middle School 1. How long have you taught? How long in our district? 36 years in District 834, all of it spent at O L (two years of parental leave). 2. Tell about your current area of responsibility (grade level, building assignment, extra curricular, etc. ) I currently teaching 8 th grade Algebra, Algebra 2, and Algebra at Oak Land. I am also running an Anime club after school on Tuesdays through Targeted Services.

Michelle Haugen: Oakland Middle School 3. Share a favorite teaching memory. This I my favorite memory and it still makes me smile and laugh when I think about it. Math teachers will probably understand this better. While very pregnant with my first child, a former algebra students who was currently in geometry came to me with a problem. They were studying various types of statements in geometry. One of these statements is called the contrapositive in which you switch around and negate the original statement. For example, “If it is raining, then the grass is wet. ” (original) “If it not raining, then the grass is not wet”. (contrapositive). This particular student came to me during my prep hour and his question was (and I quote): “I am having trouble with the contraceptive thing. Mr. Neuenfeldt said I should put a “not” in it. Of course after this statement, and in my current condition, I visualized the word “knot” and burst out laughing. Poor kid had no idea why I was laughing so hard. I believe I sent him back to Bob N. saying I obviously didn’t know much about it either. 4. What is your educational inspiration or an inspirational education quote? I have spent every one of my years believing in each of my students and their ability to learn, perhaps at different rates, different levels, but able to learn all the same. Most of the time I left that I achieved this goal with kindness, compassion, and a whole lot of patience. I love this quote although I don’t know where it originated. “Mathematics may not teach us how to add love or minus hate, but it gives us every reason to hope that every problem has a solution. ”

Mike Mustar: Brookview Elementary Nominated by: Darrell Salmi Mike has taught for approximately 25 years and has always been a compassionate and dynamic teacher for his students. He has continued to be a leader in the areas of technology in physical education, fitness promotion and literacy, and because of his compassionate and caring personality, he is a favorite of so many students. Mike is always prepared to help his students enjoy and learn through physical activity with the latest games and motivational strategies.

Mike Mustar: Brookview Elementary 1. How long have you taught? 28 years How long in our district? 28 years 2. Tell about your current area of responsibility (grade level, building assignment, extra curricular, etc. ) Elementary Physical Education Teacher, Safety Patrol supervisor. Brookview Elementary School 3. Share a favorite teaching memory. Last year the elementary physical education teachers held the first ever all district 5 th grade track meet at the high School. It was such a great day, and I was very proud to be a part of something that will hopefully be a tradition in Stillwater for years to come. 4. What is your educational inspiration or an inspirational education quote? It’s so amazing to greet students every morning as the come through the doors and they are so excited to be at school, and so excited to see you. This makes me want to be the best I can for them. They are my inspiration.

Katy Pupungatoa: SAHS Nominated by: Jeremy Baldwin Katy’s work with implementing BARR for freshmen cannot be overstated! She has been organized, accessible, passionate, calm, and EFFECTIVE at coordinating this program, and I consider Katy to be one of SAHS’s GREATEST assets!

Katy Pupungatoa: SAHS 1. How long have you taught? How long in our district? I have taught for 24 years. I have been in the Stillwater district for 22 years. 2. Tell about your current area of responsibility (grade level, building assignment, extra curricular, etc. I am the BARR (Building Assets, Reducing Risks) Coordinator and Academic Interventionist. 3. Share a favorite teaching memory. I have so many. . . I love the sense of community that is built with a class so that by the end of the year you feel like a family (with all the love and dysfunctions of a real family). 4. What is your educational inspiration or an inspirational education quote? Tom Le. Cloux my first principal said to me, "Fair is not Equal" I reflect on this often as I work with students.

Ann Robey: ECFE Nominated by: Tara Tuchel Ann is so professional and organized. She is often the first person that parents talk to when their child is referred for a special education evaluation. Ann is the perfect person to make parents feel calm and she is able to talk to them about the evaluation process in a way that helps them feel at ease. Kids love their speech time with Ann she is warm, kind and caring. I hold Ann and her work with students in the highest regard, as do her other colleagues.

Ann Robey: ECFE 1. How long have you taught? How long in our district? I have been a speech language pathologist in Stillwater since I received my graduate degree (1995/1996 school year). This is my 24 th year in the district and I have not worked anywhere else. I am was is called a “lifer” 2. Tell about your current area of responsibility (grade level, building assignment, extra curricular, etc. I currently work in the Early Childhood Special Education program providing speech language and social intervention to children between the ages of 3 5 years. 3. Share a favorite teaching memory. The moments that have defined my educational philosophy have been inspired by times that my student’s parents have asked me to put myself in their shoes. “What would you do if it were your own child? ” These conversations have molded me into an educator that attempts to view the “big picture”. I truly want what is best for children and families. 4. What is your educational inspiration or an inspirational education quote? Educational inspiration: Children may forget what you say, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel.