Guest Column by Mary Hinnenkamp

It was with some reservations that I decided to retire from teaching last June. I love teaching, but in quick succession Fountain Centers Adolescent Unit (where I taught for five years) closed, and then Hayward Group Home, where I taught next, closed. So, rather than start over one more time mid-school year, I retired. But then I had the good fortune to obtain a long-term subbing job to teach EL (English Language) at Southwest to truly end my year of teaching.  Teaching EL was a delight.

I felt a personal connection to these EL students. My own grandmother — my mother’s mother — had come from Germany as a young woman and had never learned to speak English. She lived in a community in central Minnesota where there were German speakers, so she managed all right. But I wonder how much richer her life in her adopted country would have been if she could have spoken English, read it, understood the radio and been able to communicate with her grandchildren. Thankfully, newcomers now have EL classes.

I learned a great deal about EL. The teacher I subbed for explained that every EL student is unique. She said some students have lived here all their lives, some have come here from another country, and some are refugees. But she emphasized that “these students have unique stories, experiences, opinions and views that enrich our schools and community.” I learned by experience that EL students are bright, funny, curious, very respectful and often grateful. At Southwest, one of my EL students  at the end of each class nodded, smiled and said, “Thank you, Mrs. H.,” for teaching him. He thanked me at the end of each lesson for teaching him. I had never before experienced such explicit and consistent gratitude. 

And here’s the thing, we teachers never expect gratitude. It is an unexpected gift, never to be counted on, a little like finding a $50 bill in your pocket. And this is why I so enjoy being on the Teacher of the Year Committee. It is my opportunity to express gratitude to all the Albert Lea teachers who work so hard and give so much of themselves.

Every year the Albert Lea Area Schools Teacher of the Year Committee asks students, parents, teachers and community members to honor our teachers by nominating someone for Teacher of the Year.   This year the committee received 65 nominations. 

Teachers were nominated for being caring, challenging, committed, creative, compassionate, competent, devoted, encouraging, expert, fair, fun, funny, generous, gifted, hard-working, happy, helpful, humble, inspiring, kind, loving, organized, positive, passionate, patient, prepared, professional, respectful, structured, supportive, sweet, talented, uplifting, warm and well prepared.

They nominated teachers because he or she:

• “is fair to all students and expects back from the students hard work and mutual respect”

• “has a rare gift of being empathetic, genuine and warm”

• “is committed to providing a voice for the often voiceless students in our building by advocating for them”

• “is a fearless boredom stopper”

• “is willing to undertake new and daring enterprises”

• “has a classroom that is active yet feels calm and focused”

• “is the model of professionalism and humility”

• “challenges her students to be better people, friends and students”

• “models a hard work ethic”

• “makes learning fun”

• “finds ways to help all of us learn in our own unique way”

• “tells us we are all important”

• “has done an amazing job of helping some of the most vulnerable and at-risk students feel important, valued and seen”

• “teaches with her whole heart”

These quotes demonstrate the quality of teaching in this district. The Teacher of the Year Committee on Wednesday will announce the Albert Lea Teacher of the Year for 2018. I encourage you to express your gratitude to all the teachers who have positively affected your life.

Mary Hinnenkamp is a former teacher for Albert Lea Area Schools and a member of the Teacher of the Year Committee.