Teachers from Education Minnesota Pequot Lakes recently nominated five teachers for Teacher of the Year in the district. The Teacher of the Year program recognizes excellence in teaching. The 2018 winner will be chosen later in April.
Nominees are as follows:
Sean Bengtson: Bengtson began his career in Pequot Lakes as a special education teacher. In 2006 he made the switch to third grade, where he has been teaching ever since. He has been a teacher for 20 years,18 of those in the Pequot Lakes School District.
Bengtson received his bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of North Dakota and his master's in special education from St. Cloud State University.
He was nominated for his positive attitude, collaboration and being a great team player while being positive and encouraging to the third-grade students he works with.
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Mindi Brill: Brill has been a teacher for 21 years, all at the first grade level in the Pequot Lakes School District. She served as the Pequot Lakes girls head tennis coach from 1997-2003 and has been teaching summer school at Eagle View since 2015.
Brill graduated from Crookston Central High School in 1991, received her bachelor's as an Honors Program graduate from Bemidji State University in 1995 and her master's in educational leadership from Southwest Minnesota State University in 2007.
She was recognized for her dedication to each one of her students and making sure that each child has the opportunity to learn to their fullest potential.
Sara Crabb-Erickson: Crabb-Erickson has been a grade 9-12 special education teacher for 19 years, eight of which have been with the Pequot Lakes School District.
She received her bachelor's from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and her master's from Minnesota State University-Moorhead.
Crabb-Erickson's nomination said she "is the teacher you want in front of your own child. She has high expectations for her students with a clear and loving nature that assists each student to be their best."
Belinda Reier: Reier is a second-grade teacher at Eagle View Elementary School. Throughout her 14 years in education (10 at Eagle View), Reier has taught first grade, second grade, Title I and Reading Recovery.
She received her bachelor's in elementary education from Bemidji State University, with licensure in pre-primary through sixth grade. She earned her master's from Walden University with specializations in elementary reading and mathematics.
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Reier's nomination noted her tireless commitment to instilling not only a high depth of knowledge in the students she teaches, but a love of learning as well.
Jamie Wagner: Wagner has been a teacher for seven years, four of which have been with the Pequot Lakes School District, where he has taught Spanish II, Spanish III and world languages. He has been a coordinator for freshman orientation and the respect retreat; served as Knowledge Bowl adviser and Link Crew adviser; been strength coach for summer, fall and winter; and head girls track coach.
Wagner received his bachelor's from Bethel University.
Co-workers recognize his ability to create connections with students and treat them with respect, which he is given in return. In these connections he is able to provide so many of them with high achievements of success.
