News

Nelson is finalist for 'Teacher of the Year'

By Scott Wagar

09/03/2013

Bottineau High School’s science teacher, Debra Nelson, is one of four finalist for Teacher of the Year in the state of North Dakota, a privilege granted to only four teachers throughout the North Dakota educational system.

“I am honored to have been nominated and to have made it to the final four,” said Nelson, who has taught science in the Bottineau School District for 34 years.

“You are representing everybody, not just yourself, and I have come as far as I have because you stand on the shoulders of other people, other teachers, your fellow colleagues, who help you out because everybody helps each other in this school.”

Nelson was nominated as a Teacher of the Year by secondary principal Joel Bickford.

“I have an outstanding group of educators who are dedicated to excellence. I decided to choose Deb Nelson because she embodies what the award stands for. Deb simply refuses to let students fail. She finds out what makes them tick and she creates a method to reach them,” Bickford said.

“Her students know that she cares about them as students and as people. She respects the students and with the rapport they are willing to go the extra mile for her. It has been said that good teachers teach and great teachers inspire. Deb creates a love for her subject matter that inspires students,” Bickford said.

With being nominated and then learning she was one of the finalists, Nelson said that she was pleasantly astonished.

“I was shocked for one thing. It surprised me,” Nelson said. “It is nice to know that the work that you do is for the betterment of education and that somebody sees that.”

The other three finalists are from Fargo, Minot and Valley City.

The National Education Association sponsors the Teacher of the Year.