The Becker Education Association held an online meeting last Friday with approximately 140 attendees to celebrate the school year. Retiring teachers were honored, as were the Teachers of the Year for each of the district’s four school buildings. Many teachers were also celebrated for years of service awards, given every five years. A special recognition was given to Pam Calvert for her 46 years in teaching.

Supt. Jeremy Schmidt joined the meeting to express his appreciation to staff and to also let the retiring teachers know that their Retirement Bells (a district tradition) had been ordered and would be delivered soon.

Retirements

Retiring teachers honored include Annette Schoberg (19 years), Carol Walberg (36 years), Sandy Forster (34 years), Caroline Olsen (24 years) and Nancy Lorentz-Berg (22 years).

“That’s a total of 135 years of experience in our schools,” noted Supt. Schmidt, as he thanked each for their contributions to the district. “Wherever the new chapter takes you, I a sure it will be marvelous. You are always welcome here as part of the Bulldog family.”

Teachers of the Year

The building awards for teacher of the year were given in “publisher’s clearing house style” as a small team of teachers were on hand outside each winner’s home and when the online meeting announced each building, the team would ring the doorbell at the honoree’s home as a surprise. The winning teachers were as follows.

Primary School - Jenny Obermoller

A Becker graduate, Obermoller has been teaching 17 years in the Becker district in all three grade levels at the Primary school. “I love to shake things up and try new things which is a huge reason why I enjoy changing grade levels,” says Obermoller. “It is an honor to work in the community where I grew up. I can’t think of a better place to raise my own family.”

Intermediate School - Nikki Kaehler

Kaehler has been a third grade teacher in Becker for 15 years. At the age of five she was inspired by her Grandpa to become a teacher and knew all along that’s exactly what she wanted to be. Her favorite part of teaching is encouraging students to love to read.

Middle School - Nicole Wentland

Wentland has been teaching 7th grade math in Becker for 17 years. She is very involved in school, serving on the Instructional Leadership Team, Site Based Committee, Team Leader, Math Lesson Study, BEA benefit and a Digital Learning Mentor.

“This year marked a new milestone in my teaching career,” says Wentland. “One of my former students was my fifth grade son’s teacher!”

High School - Michelle Kuseske

Kuseske has been a fulltime teacher in Becker for five years, but she has been a part of the school since 2008 when she was a History Day Intern. She teaches American Government, Middle Ages, World History and Ancient World History in the social studies department.

“My favorite part of my job is getting to know my students and learning with them,” says Kuseske. “I’m truly humbled and honored to have been nominated and chosen as BHS teacher of the year.”