Seven North Dakota and Minnesota high school and college educators have been selected to receive Distinguished Education Professional awards from NDSU. The honor recognizes area educators who are advocates for access to higher education and who work effectively with the NDSU Office of Admission.
The Distinguished Education Professionals will be honored at an award ceremony during the Discover NDSU event April 17.
The recipients were nominated by NDSU Office of Admission staff based on leadership, commitment and excellence in supporting access to higher education and support of NDSU’s recruiting efforts.
'It is an honor for us to recognize individuals who truly believe in the value of education and who place the greatest importance on helping students succeed," said Seinquis Leinen, assistant director of admission. "We are looking forward to getting to know each of them a little better and showing them all that NDSU has to offer."
The 2015 Distinguished Education Professionals are:
Tina Proctor, Academy of Angels, Richfield, Minnesota
Proctor has served as the college and career counselor at Academy of Holy Angels for 11 years. During her 22-year career in education, she also was assistant dean and director of admissions at William Mitchell College of Law and associate director of admissions at the University of St. Thomas. "I love helping students achieve their next stage of life," she said. "It is a fun and exciting time of their lives – it is a joy to share it with them."
Proctor earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and master's degree in educational leadership from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota. She also earned a master's degree in education, school counseling from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls.
Judi Anderson, Alexandria Technical and Community College, Alexandria, Minnesota
Anderson, director of Transition Enrollment Services, has been employed at Alexandria Technical and Community College for 19 years. "Working with students is what makes me passionate about my job," she said. "There is nothing more enriching than watching a young, inexperienced student grow into the shoes of a professional adult."
She earned a legal secretary diploma from Alexandria Area Vocational Technical Institute, bachelor's degree in paralegal studies at Minnesota State University Moorhead and master's degree in higher education administration at St. Cloud State University.
Sarah Kjos, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton High School, Minnesota
Kjos has worked in the education field for eight years, and has been the school counselor for Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton for the past two years. "I love supporting students through the turbulence that is adolescence. I love their optimism for their futures," she said. "I aspire to help as many as I can see their own greatness."
Kjos earned a bachelor's degree at Minnesota State University Moorhead and a Master of Education from NDSU. She is a licensed school counselor and a licensed professional counselor in community counseling.
Janelle Stahl Ladbury, North High School, Fargo, North Dakota
Stahl Ladbury has worked in education for 11 years, including nine years as the school counselor at Fargo’s North High School. She has been an adjunct faculty member at both NDSU and the University of North Dakota. "Nothing is carved in stone," she said of the post-secondary options students face. "I encourage them to make the best decision for themselves at that moment. It's OK to change their minds."
Stahl Ladbury earned her bachelor's degree in biology education at Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota, before teaching high school science in Henry, South Dakota. She later earned a master's degree at Northern State and a doctorate in counselor education and supervision from NDSU.
Angela Longtin, North Border Walhalla K-12 School, Walhalla, North Dakota
Longtin has been a school counselor for more than 17 years at Walhalla. "I enjoy so many aspects of working with students, from empowering them to seek their own gifts and talents to encouraging them to live at the edge of their unique skills," Longtin said. "We need to empower, encourage, embrace, embark and enlighten student learning and diversity so every student sees their potential for success and feels masterful of their future."
She earned a bachelor's degree in social work and early childhood education at UND and a Master of Education in school and clinical counseling from NDSU. She also holds licenses as a social worker, professional clinical counselor and early childhood teacher.
Michael Biermaier, Highland Park High School, St. Paul, Minnesota
Biermaier has enjoyed a 22-year career in education, serving as school counselor at Highland Park for the past eight years. He said students have a world of opportunities, if they look, believe and work hard. "The first step a student makes after high school is very important," he said. "If the first step is well thought out, well planned and a positive step, it will lead to another good step and then a lifetime of good decisions."
Biermaier earned an associate degree at Anoka Ramsey Community College and a bachelor's degree in psychology and master's degree in educational psychology at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
Thane M. Grewatz, International Falls High School, International Falls, Minnesota
Grewatz has been the school counselor at International Falls for 11 years and has worked a total of 19 years in education. "Relationships are key to successful skills building with students," he said. "I find pure joy working with a team of professionals in a supportive community helping students discover their inner strength for guidance, encouragement, self-esteem and personal growth."
Grewatz earned a diploma in Biblical studies in Edmonton, Canada, and bachelor's degree in psychology and religion from the University of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He has earned 73 graduate credits in the counseling program at the University of Wisconsin, Superior. He also has a K-8 teacher license from the University of Mary, Bismarck, North Dakota.
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