

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:
The nomination period is closed for the 2022 Educators of Excellence Awards. Honorees will be recognized at MREA’s Awards Ceremony & Banquet in November.
Questions? Call the MREA Office at (320) 762-6574 or toll free at (833) MNVOICE.
Mora
Dr. Jackie Stevens brings an energy and enthusiasm to her classroom that is unparalleled. Her dedication to education and staff personal development is felt by every educator in the district.
Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton
Howard Van Otterloo offers his students an opportunity to see 48 states before they graduate high school – an opportunity not many people experience in a lifetime.
Fisher
Kristen Schwarz believes in teaching real-life skills to her students. She meets her students where they are, and fosters their individual interests to bring out the greatest potential in each of them.
West Central Area
John VanKempen instills a curiosity in his students that fosters problem solving, team work, and fun. Focusing on relevant skills and the wonder of nature, John teaches by doing and experiencing.
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. Honorees will be recognized at MREA’s Awards Ceremony & Banquet in November.
Questions? Call the MREA Office at (320) 762-6574.
Bertha-Hewitt Public Schools
The NextGen Bears program equips Bertha-Hewitt students with real-life experience and skills needed to run a successful business. From office management to ecommerce, from graphic design to running CNC machines, the NextGen Bears operates as a real business. Bertha-Hewitt students have the opportunity to be a part of the business and work with real community members and real customers every day. The program has increased attendance, engagement, and achievement of participating students and helped them experience a multitude of careers from within the walls of their high school.
Menahga Public Schools
The Menahga Public Schools are taking the STEM curriculum to the next level, integrating it right within every school day and leveling the playing field for boys and girls in STEM-based learning from the start. As one of the most anticipated parts of their day, the students use both their creativity and analytical skills to complete challenges and create 3D art projects from scratch. Meagha students start their technology and STEM learning in Kindergarten, improving their skill and knowledge throughout elementary school, preparing them for secondary school and beyond. What was traditionally a male-dominated class by choice is now being introduced, taught, and loved by both male and female students alike.
There are many leaders working behind the scenes and on the front lines to advocate for Greater Minnesota students and rural education. MREA recognizes these key leaders who have demonstrated contributions in one or more of the following areas:
Deadline for entries is June 1. Honorees will be recognized at MREA’s Awards Ceremony & 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.