Some years ago, Garrison Keillor, the well-known writer and host of the radio show “A Prairie Home Companion,” talked about his high school years during his monologue. He said that one of his English teachers had told him that he had a great voice, and that she often asked him to read out loud to the class. He was surprised, but the impression she had of him stuck: He had a great voice. It was life-changing.

On a similar theme, several years ago when Tom Dyrdahl was chosen the Teacher of the Year in Albert Lea, he talked about a physical-ed teacher who had inspired him to become a teacher. Tom then turned to other teachers in the room, and sure enough, each teacher could tell a story of a teacher who had inspired them to work hard, to finish school, to be more caring, or even to become a teacher. This tradition lives on.

This year the Teacher of the Year Committee received approximately 50 nominations for Albert Lea Teacher of the Year coming from parents, colleagues and, of course, students. The nominations highlighted the power that teachers have to inspire, comfort and challenge students.

The people who nominated our teachers talked of a teacher who “teaches me things I never knew,” who has “wonderfully innovative ideas,” who “understands each student’s learning style,” who can “make you laugh and actually want to learn math,” and who “does the best for teachers, parents and staff.”

They wrote about a counselor who “works hard to improve student achievement,” about a teacher who is on “the cutting edge when it comes to ideas for her students,” another “who is the consummate professional … who can accomplish an amazing amount of work,” and others who are “the best word speller ever and draws good pictures, too,” or who “can write and color stuff with her finger,” or “makes school fun … even figurative language.”

Parents and students alike appreciate teachers who have “energy,” “a big heart,” who are “helpful, caring,” “cool, joyful, funny and nice,” who “listens,” “is fun,” “builds connections,” “loves to work with kids,” and who “approaches each day with commitment, humor, and enthusiasm.”

Students of all age levels appreciated and nominated a teacher who “really, really, cares,” is “committed to helping,” “is kind and generous,” “patient and understanding,” “has a sense of humor,” makes students “feel special” or “who always has a smile on his face.”

One student wrote that her teacher “understands me and helps me when I struggle,” and others wrote of teachers who “when I’m mad cheers me up,” or teaches them “to make good choices” or to “become a better person.” A parent wrote of a teacher who “because of her, two of my children would like to become a teacher.”

Power comes in all sorts of dimensions — military power and political power. And then there is the soft power, the power to change things a day at a time, a lesson at a time, a student at a time.

Ah! Behold the power of the teacher.

The Teacher of the Year Committee has narrowed the field of nominations to seven.

At the Teacher of the Year reception on April 8, the committee will announce the winner for this year. Congratulations to all of the nominees.

Mary Hinnenkamp is on the Teacher of the Year Committee.