

MREA presents the Educator of Excellence Awards to recognize, reward, and promote excellence in education that achieves the highest outcomes for Greater Minnesota students. This award honors inspiring educators who demonstrate:
Nominations are due Feb. 28, 2021. Honorees will be recognized at MREA’s Annual Conference Banquet in November.
Questions? Call the MREA Office at (320) 762-6574 or toll free at (833) MNVOICE.
Bemidji
Jaqueline Stoffel developed a unified physical education program that pairs students with disabilities with other students to gain skills and develop friendships.
Lake Park-Audubon
Kathrina O’Connell keeps coming up with big ideas to engage students, from a greenhouse and pollinator garden to an extensive summer literacy program.
New London-Spicer
Chad Powers wears many hats for his school and community, but it is the one as firefighter and EMT that led him to develop an EMT program for his students.
Waseca
Andrew Hopkins meshes modern technology with traditional practices to transport his students around the world, uncover patterns and increase wonder.
From Ada to Zumbrota, across Greater Minnesota, MREA wants to know about members’ programs that serve as examples of innovative educational opportunities for our rural students. What are the compelling practices or programs at your school or educational organization? Programs throughout MREA member districts are nominated and then selected by the MREA Board of Directors based on these core criteria:
Nominations must be received by March 31, 2021. Honorees will be recognized at MREA’s Annual Conference Banquet in November.
Questions? Call the MREA Office at (320) 762-6574.
Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Public Schools
Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa High School developed an extensive career-based advisory and pathways model for 9-12 students. Built through workforce connections both locally and regionally, the program focuses on three major areas of workforce readiness and incorporates graduation requirements.
West Central Area Schools
Students at West Central Area High School gain in-depth, real-life experience to careers in the health field through a comprehensive community collaborative. The growing program not only allows them to earn certifications while in high school but also brings them to a variety of health organizations in their local community.
There are many leaders working behind the scenes and on the front lines to advocate for Greater Minnesota students and rural education. Each year, MREA recognizes one of these key leaders who has demonstrated contributions in one or more of the following areas:
Deadline for entries is June 1, 2021. Honorees will be recognized at MREA’s Annual Conference Banquet in November.
Questions? Call the MREA Office at (320) 762-6574.
When the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) raised the credentialing standards for high school teachers to teach concurrent enrollment, Kovash and Bradbury collaborated to find a solution. They led a partnership between their two organizations Lakes Country Service Cooperative and Minnesota State University Moorhead along with the Northwest Service Cooperative.
The result is 18 Online, a graduate initiative for high school teachers in Minnesota to gain the 18 credits they need to teach concurrent enrollment under the new credentialing standards – for free. Since 2017, the program has served hundreds of teachers in all six economic regions in Minnesota and as of this fall, enabled teachers to earn nearly 1,700 credits.