State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler on Friday praised the 42 North Dakota educators who have been named as County Teachers of the Year for 2023, saying their passion for serving students and families uphold the state’s tradition of excellence in public education.

“Our county Teachers of the Year are among our best at educating the next generation of young North Dakotans. They impart knowledge in reading, math, science, and other subjects, and they do it with passion, empathy, imagination, and a spirit of service,” Baesler said. “They embody the best qualities of the teaching profession.”

The 2023 county winners from our region are:

• Bottineau: Jocelyn Grann, Westhope Public School, Westhope
• McHenry: Magdeline Brandt, TGU Granville School, Granville
• Pierce: Andee Mattson, Ely Elementary, Rugby
• Rolette: Eric LaRocque, Turtle Mountain Middle School, Belcourt
• Wells: Kori Jensen, Harvey Public School, Harvey

The county awards are part of North Dakota’s state Teacher of the Year recognition program. County Teacher of the Year winners will be sent applications to be considered for state Teacher of the Year. 

Congratulations to the five teachers awarded from the NCEC region as well as all the recipients across the state. Best wishes in the next round to award the ND Teacher of the Year!

Do you ever wish NCEC offered specific professional development?

Different student activities?

More services?

Then we want YOU!

NCEC is looking for educators to serve on our Teacher Advisory Board. Ideally, we would like to have two volunteers from each school we serve.

We need your expertise and input to ensure we are in tune with your needs as educators.

Please contact Tonya Hunskor if you are interested in joining or have questions.

THANK YOU!

Counselor Coffee Chats have ended for the year. Thank you to all the presenters and participants!

If you are planning to apply for credit, you will need to complete the following:

• View all 14 sessions (live or recorded) by May 5th
• Write and submit a final reflection paper by May 5th
• Apply for graduate credit through UND by May 19th (instructions will be sent after reflection paper is submitted)

Contact Mandy with questions.

FINAL Principal PLC -- May 5th - Location TBD

• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Graduate credit info will be given at the meeting

Contact Tonya Hunskor for more information.

Fine Arts Education PLC -- New Date (Rescheduled from April 21 due to bad roads)

• Friday, May 5th in Dunseith
• 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Contact Katie Saykally for more information on the Music and Art PLCs.

The NCEC Regional School Traveling Art Show is wrapping up!

It kicked off in Harvey and made stops in Rugby, St. John, Bottineau, and Dunseith.

You can see all the students' work here: Student Gallery

Continuing Education Opportunities:

• Foundations of Reading Instruction & Intervention (Fall 2023)
• Supporting Secondary Struggling Readers (2023-24)
• LETRS Volume 1 (2023-24)
• We've Got Scales - Now What? (June 7 & 8)
• Watershed Institute (July 2023)

Visit our website for updates on professional development being offered statewide.

Check DPI Science of Reading page often for updates and resources.



The 10th annual Water Festival was held at Dakota College at Bottineau April 19 & 20.

Over 450 students from eight schools attended the education day. They learned about all the ways water affects their daily life through hands on activities and interactive lessons.

Class topics included:

• Stop the Spread!
• Water Olympics
• Fish Painting Pucker Effect
• Blue Beads
• Incredible Journey
• Where on Earth Did the Water Go?
• Water Wonders
• Expedition Reef
• Soil Tunnel

Water Festival is scheduled in Drake for May 11. Contact Aimee with questions.

Staff Training for Bottineau 21st CCLC Program Held in April

The Bottineau 21st CCLC program staff were able to brainstorm and practice techniques and strategies to improve their skills working with students in the after school program.

Tonya Hunskor, NCEC School Support Specialist, facilitated the session. Staff were able to practice scenarios working with various behaviors, reflect on the aspects of their work that bring them joy and brainstorm how to support each other in areas they felt less confident.

The dedicated group included three teachers and 14 student paras. Thank you for making it a fun and engaging afternoon!