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First grade teacher named MN Teacher of the Year semifinalist

First grade teacher named MN Teacher of the Year semifinalist
First grade teacher named MN Teacher of the Year semifinalist

First grade teacher Robyn Hassani has been named a semifinalist for Minnesota Teacher of the Year! She teaches 100% online learners at Andersen and Lake Elmo elementaries. Hassani is among just 25 educators across the state who advanced in the awards program. Candidates include pre-kindergarten through grade 12 instructors and Early Childhood Family Education and Adult Basic Education teachers from both public and private schools. Later this month, a panel will cut the list to no more than 10 finalists.

Hassani has been teaching for 15 years. For the past 3 1/2 years she’s been at Andersen where she helped to establish the Green Room - a safe place for students to go when they are feeling anxious or struggling to manage their behaviors. This year, Hassani was asked to teach first grade online where she has a class combined of Andersen and Lake Elmo students. Her favorite thing about teaching in-person and online is the joy she gets to see on students' faces when they have a newly discovered confidence. She said the Teacher of the Year nomination means even more coming during a challenging school year.

“In a year of so many uncertainties about what online school should look and feel like, I was determined to make it feel as much like ‘real’ school as possible,” said Hassani. “I worked hard to build a sense of community in our class (across schools) and have friendships thrive. I am so thrilled that students are having a positive experience learning and growing online.”


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In Other News

Calendars approved for next two years

The district will implement a new early start, early end calendar beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, while next year's calendar will maintain the status quo.