ALC educator named Albert Lea's Teacher of the Year

Yahoo

03-04-2025

Apr. 2—Albert Lea Area Learning Center math teacher Andrew Gustafson was named the District 241 Teacher of the Year on Wednesday in a reception in the Albert Lea High School Commons.
Gustafson, who has also taught at Albert Lea High School and Southwest Middle School, said he didn't expect to win the award because he knows so many amazing teachers in the district who have made connections with students and who have helped him grow as a teacher.
Gustafson has worked for the district for 15 years and is an eight-time Teacher of the Year nominee.
He said his favorite thing about being a teacher is interacting with his students and helping them push back the barriers in front of them.
School board Chairman Dave Klatt announced the award, and John Double, chairman of the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce, recognized Gustafson with an award from the chamber. Gustafson also received $1,000 from Wuerflein Chevrolet.
Klatt congratulated the six finalists for the Teacher of the Year Award and all those who serve in the classroom every day. Other finalists were Wendy Bidne of the Area Learning Center, Katie Nielsen of Albert Lea High School, Sammy Schell of Lakeview Elementary School, Robin Viktora of Southwest Middle School and Anna Wescott of Halverson Elementary School. More than 70 nominations were received this year.
Double said teachers do more than deliver lessons; they also help students cultivate curiosity, resilience and critical listening skills essential in every profession.
"Education and business are deeply connected," he said. "Strong schools mean strong communities and strong communities build thriving businesses. Students in our classrooms today are future leaders, entrepreneurs and the workforce of tomorrow."
Interim Superintendent Dave Krenz said when he came to Albert Lea Area Schools in the middle of January out of retirement, he never thought it was something he would do. But now, a few months later, he is glad he did.
"The reason is it reminded me and helped me acknowledge why I started teaching almost 50 years ago in Byron, Minnesota," he said.
He said while they were at the reception to honor "the best of the best," all of the teachers and staff deserve the recognition.
"These six individuals exemplify the work of some 200-plus teachers and 500-plus employees that we have in the district," Krenz said.
Wendy Greenfield, the 2024 Albert Lea Teacher of the Year, and Janece Jeffrey, Albert Lea Education Association president, talked about the changes that have taken place in teaching during the time they have been in the profession, particularly in technology.
Despite all the changes that have taken place, they said there are five universal truths that can guide teachers:
—First, collaboration is key to teachers' success. Teachers cannot be successful without their teams pushing their thinking forward, challenging their assumptions and supporting them when difficulties arise. This helps transform their teaching from good to great.
—Second, no matter how fascinating the lesson, students will always find distractions, so teachers must be flexible and have a sense of humor.
—Third, learning never truly ends, and there's always something new to learn, whether it's a new teacher or one who has been teaching for over 30 years.
—Fourth, teachers make a difference.
"All that we touch changes, and what we change, changes us ... " Jeffrey said. "If you want to encourage learning, be a learner, intrigue learners, assist struggling learners, push advanced learners, celebrate learning and celebrate the struggles of learning."
—Fifth, few teachers want to be recognized and generally don't want to stick out in a crowd.
Greenfield thanked the finalists for their dedication, passion and unwavering belief in the potential of students.
"You represent all the good we aspire to be," she said.