We congratulate Pam Carlson for being chosen District 241 Teacher of the Year.

All six finalists are dedicated educators who represent District 241 well.

Carlson has been dedicated to students in Albert Lea for a long time &045; 18 years to be exact.

Now a second-grade teacher at Hawthorne Elementary School, she has served on the district math committee and reading committee, supervised a student teacher, did summer curriculum writing and work, presented at the state special education conference, teaches a best practices class to first-year students and has taught summer school and targeted services after-school programs – just to name a few activities.

She stays active outside the district as well. She’s a member of St. Theodore Catholic Church, and enjoys reading, walking, swimming, pilates, biking, taking motorcycle trips and watching movies.

She is married to Mark Carlson and has two stepchildren, Ashley and Alex.

Carlson has been a finalist for District 241 Teacher of the Year three other times, so it’s obvious she has consistently continued her commitment to education.

She’s furthered her education by earning her master of education degree in curriculum and instruction. Carlson also has more than 30 additional credits in a variety of areas, which demonstrates her personal love of learning. And it’s obvious that shows in her classroom.

“Teaching is a continual learning process,” Carlson said. “In this profession, I don’t think a person ever stops learning, growing or changing. Each day and each group of children offer a new way of looking at the world of teaching.”

Carlson is a shining example of what is right in the teaching profession.

We applaud the choice of Pam Carlson as this year’s teacher of the year.