Page 20 - TTMNWinter2025
P. 20

STEM/Leadership
        Page 20                                                                                                Electronic Edition: www.teachingtodaymn.com


                      Celebrating John Short, a Teacher Who Transforms Science Education

            Science  Teacher, Waubun-Ogema-  demonstrating the mechanics of the digestive   while maintaining high educational standards   Mr. Short’s legacy is one of inspiration,
        White Earth Public Schools          system by drinking water upside down so stu-  is a testament to his dedication.  dedication, and boundless enthusiasm. As his
            North Central Zone MREA 2024    dents can hear its journey through the body or   The school’s forest, once an underutilized   former  students  move  on  to  various  fields,
        Educator of Excellence              leading explorations in the school forest, Mr.   asset, has become an extension of Mr. Short’s   many with a newfound passion for science,
                                            Short transforms science into an immersive   classroom thanks to his vision. By collaborat-  his  influence  remains  a  guiding  light.  We
                                            adventure.  These hands-on activities aren’t   ing with the community, he helped establish   celebrate Mr. Short not just a teacher, but a
                                            just about understanding concepts; they’re   trails and turned the forest into a vibrant   mentor and an innovator whose love for learn-
                                            about sparking a lifelong curiosity and build-  learning environment. Students now venture   ing has left an indelible mark on his school
                                            ing confidence in students.        into the woods to dig for bugs, analyze soil   and beyond.
                                               One of Mr. Short’s greatest strengths   layers, and discover various organisms. It’s a   For  Mr. Short, teaching is more than  a
                                            is his unwavering commitment to his stu-  scene Mr. Short treasures, often stepping back   job—it’s a calling. And for his students, he’s
                                            dents. As one student reflects, “He made me   to observe with joy as students learn through   more than a teacher—he’s a reason to dream
                                            want to learn and he made this learning fun.   exploration and teamwork.  big.
                                            And  I knew that I  wanted to help  people.”   One student summed up the essence of   Congratulations Mr. Short on being
                                            This impact extends far beyond the class-  Mr. Short’s teaching: “He lets us make it our   named a 2024 MREA Educator of Excel-
                                            room, inspiring students to pursue fields they   own. He gives us the backbone and makes us   lence in the North Central Zone. Mr. Short
                                            might never have considered.  For instance,   more  confident.  It’s  something  you  want  to   was honored and celebrated in November at
                                            the student who shared their plans to study   participate in.” These words highlight the way   the MREA Greater Education Summit at Cra-
                                            nursing credits Mr. Short’s enthusiasm and   Mr. Short pushes his students not only to learn   gun’s Resort in Brainerd.
                                            support as the catalyst for their ambition.  but to thrive, building a classroom culture   Recommended watch! See a video about Mr.
            In the realm of education, where passion   Colleagues and students alike speak of   where every student feels seen, heard, and   Short at https://www.mreavoice.org/john-short
        meets practice, few individuals embody the   Mr. Short’s genuine care.  Waubun-Ogema-  motivated to achieve.
        true spirit of teaching like Mr. Short. With 27   White  Earth  School  Superintendent  Jordan   At the heart of Mr. Short’s approach is   Article and photo courtesy of the Minnesota
        years of dedicated service, beginning in 1996,   Spaeth noted, “Students don’t care how much   the belief that education is more than a cur-  Rural Education Association — https://www.
        Mr. Short has become a cornerstone of the   you know until they know how much you   riculum—it’s an opportunity. He often shares   mreavoice.org
        academic  and  personal growth  of countless   care. And I think for Mr. Short, that becomes   that he wants each student to feel prepared
        students. His teaching philosophy is simple   obvious to kids in a quick hurry. He is himself   for whatever path they choose. “They get one
        yet profound: learning should be an experi-  at all times.” This authenticity fuels a unique   shot at this, and it’s my job to make that shot
        ence, not just an obligation.       classroom atmosphere where students feel   as good as it can be,” he says. It’s this sense   www.waubun.k12.mn.us
            Mr. Short’s style is experiential, bring-  empowered to explore, ask questions, and   of purpose that has shaped hundreds of young
        ing science to life in a way that engages   take ownership of their learning. Mr. Short’s   minds and set many on paths they might never
        students beyond the textbook.  Whether it’s   ability to make science accessible and fun   have dreamed possible.

        Embracing Innovation: Lessons from Germany’s Apprenticeship Learning Model

        Continued from Page 1
                                            und Lehrwekstatt, and visited Hinterkopf,   students for meaningful careers.  As NBAPS continues to explore
                                            a German vocational school.            The German Apprenticeship model is   innovative ways to bridge education and
                                               NBAPS Superintendent Sara Paul   grounded in system collaboration, some-  workforce development, the insights
                                            traveled to Germany last Fall as a Fulbright   thing that left a lasting impression on   gained from Germany’s apprenticeship
                                            Fellow and emphasized the importance of   Treichel.  Germany’s partnerships and   model provide valuable direction for
                                            shared learning, stating, “David’s trip to   collaborations between federal and state   shaping the future of  student learning.
                                            Germany affirms the importance for us to   resources, higher education, K–12 edu-  Treichel’s experience highlights the power
                                            think creatively about how partnerships   cation, and private industry that produce   of long-term investment in skill-building
                                            can  transform  education  and  workforce   mutually beneficial curriculum, learning   and the importance of strong partnerships
                                            preparation.  By  building bridges  between   spaces on-site at private companies, and   between education, industry, and govern-
                                            education  and  industry,  we  can  create   funding to support the model. “Collabo-  ment. While implementing a similar model
                                            opportunities for our students and teachers   ration  opens  doors,”  said  Treichel.  “The   in Minnesota will require significant col-
                                            that are relevant, meaningful, and sustain-  system alignment is producing great out-  laboration and a shift in mindset, NBAPS
                                            able.”                             comes and  is designed to be a long-term   is already leading the way with its Reg-
                                               NBAPS has expanded career-con-  solution.”                          istered  Teacher Apprenticeship  program,
                                            nected learning through  Viking Bridge,   With a strong foundation of innova-  demonstrating a commitment to hands-
                                            a program designed to build connections   tive programs already in place for students,   on learning and career preparation. By
                                            between local employers and high school   NBAPS is also one of the first Minnesota   embracing these global best practices and
                                            students. Viking Bridge offers a continuum   districts to implement a Registered Teacher   tailoring them to meet local needs, the dis-
            Treichel spent a week talking with   of work exposure, from career explora-  Apprenticeship program, leading the way   trict is positioning students for success in
        educators, business leaders, and stu-  tion to hands-on internships, creating a   in hands-on workforce development.  The   an evolving workforce.
        dents about the German apprenticeship   win-win for both students and businesses.   district’s teacher apprenticeship program
        model and hopes to share key insights as   By aligning education with workforce   pairs  experienced  teachers  with  support
        apprenticeship continues to grow in popu-  needs, this initiative ensures students gain   staff who aspire to become educators,   www.isd138.org
        larity. Over the course of the week Treichel   valuable experience while helping employ-  providing structured, real-world train-
        visited several companies, including   ers develop  a pipeline  of skilled  future   ing that addresses the teacher shortage.
        SCHOTT, Witzenmann, Endress + Hauser,   employees. Together, these programs posi-  This forward-thinking approach was fea-
        Kleeman, and  Wittenstein. He also met   tion NBAPS as a leader in bridging the gap   tured on KARE 11 as a creative solution
        with third party training provider Industrie   between  education  and  industry,  reinforc-  to workforce challenges and was recently
                                            ing the district’s commitment to preparing   spotlighted in the Star Tribune.
   15   16   17   18   19   20   21   22   23   24