By Mary Hinnenkamp, Guest Column

I remember Mrs. Finken. I went to Catholic school for the first eight years of my life and she was a life raft in a sea of nuns. The nuns were good and kind for the most part, but Mrs. Finken was amazing. She was a large woman who wore her brown hair braided and pulled back in a bun, and she always seemed to wear the same plaid jacket and skirt. She could be strict. If you broke the rules, you would have to copy a page of the dictionary over recess or after school.

But she ran quite a classroom.

She read to us each day after noon recess: &8220;Huck Finn,&8221; &8220;Anne of Green Gables&8221; and &8220;Silver Chief.&8221; She would bring nature into our classroom. She would find baby bunnies and bring them to school. I clearly remember doing math and looking up to watch newly emerged butterflies fly around the classroom and drink sugar water from the jelly jar lids we had put on the window sills. She told us stories to bring the work alive. She looked for the talent in everyone. I remember being astonished as she called on Ralphie and Warren and put them in charge of a project. And she did so much more.

One day when I fully into my 40s and an experienced teacher myself, I was home for a family visit and saw Mrs. Finken sitting across the aisle from me at church and some my school memories came flooding back. I decided I would stop and tell her what a terrific teacher she was.

But somehow after church, someone spoke to me and one thing led to another, and I let the moment get away. I told myself that I would catch her the next time I was home. But I never did. She passed away, and it is one of the regrets of my life that I never told her what I felt.

I share this memory as a member of the Teacher of the Year committee. It is pleasure to be on the committee because we committee members learn about so many wonderful and talented teachers here in our school district.

Parents, colleagues, and students submitted to us more than 40 heartfelt nominations for Teacher of the Year. They told us about the teacher who is &8220;professional,&8221; &8220;organized,&8221; &8220; honest and hard working,&8221; &8220;who knows so much,&8221; and &8220;goes the extra mile&8221;

for

students.

Students especially seem to appreciate teachers who are &8220;fun,&8221; &8220;fair,&8221; &8220;a great storyteller,&8221; &8220;who makes jokes,&8221; &8220;who makes learning fun,&8221;

who let students express themselves, and who &8220;sings a lot during the day.&8221; Parents and students alike appreciate teachers who are &8220;kind,&8221; &8220;sensitive,&8221; &8220;looks out for students&8217; best interests,&8221; &8220;makes each child feel special,&8221; is &8220;motherly,&8221; &8220;understanding,&8221; &8220;involved in the community,&8221; and who &8220;will help anyone.&8221;

One colleague wrote, &8220;She is truly an inspiration to those who work with her.&8221;

And a

student wrote, &8220;The only reason I look forward to coming to school is because of her.&8221;

The TOY committee has narrowed the field of 40 nominations to five. At the Teacher of the Year Reception on April 16, the committee will announce the winner for this year. But of course they are all winners.

We are fortunate in the Albert Lea School District to have so many dedicated teachers who give so much of their talents, time and energy to the students they teach. Please don&8217;t be afraid to express your appreciation to a teacher who touched your life or your child&8217;s life. Write them a note, approach them in the grocery story or tell them after church. You will have no regrets and they will appreciate your kind words.

Albert Lea resident Mary Hinnenkamp is the coordinator for the Area Learning Center.