In honor of American Education Week from November 17th-21st, I write this Letter of Thanks to our students, educators, and community:
Thank you, students, for continuing to learn, grow, and thrive amidst an ever-changing political climate in which parents/guardians may inadvertently share their frustrations. Your focus and drive to excel has not gone unnoticed, as your sports teams secure wins, your school assemblies showcase your American pride and talent, and your volunteer efforts in student clubs and community events help bring our families closer together. I hope that you will continue to independently develop as impactful citizens with respect, courage, compassion, and integrity so that our United States may collectively become greater through your presence!
Thank you, educators, for expertly teaching and supporting our youth amidst global and local challenges. During the 2026 Teacher of the Year ceremony at the Capitol, Gov. Kelly Armstrong called teaching “the most noble profession we have in North Dakota” and added, “Nobody affects the future of North Dakota more than our teachers.” Also, former North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction, Kirsten Baesler, stated, “Teachers have the opportunity to change the world by lifting up the next generation” (Achterling, 2025). Both of these North Dakota leaders not only recognize, but applaud your current and future impact. We are lucky to live within such a teacher-supported state, among educators who work tirelessly to ensure our students succeed.
As your School Liaison Program Manager, I give a special thanks to our Public Schools on our Military Installation (PSMIs): North Plains Elementary, Dakota Elementary, and Memorial Middle School. The educators, administrators, and support staff in our PSMIs continuously and expertly navigate incoming/outgoing military-connected student’ challenges and work alongside me as we provide real-time solutions and support.
Additionally, thank you, Erik Ramstad Middle School educators for welcoming me into your school community this month, so I could share knowledge on Supporting Military Families for your Professional Development, as you work to obtain the Purple Star Award. Lastly, thank you, Glenburn Public School educators for scheduling a similar session with me in the near future as you, also, seek this military-friendly school recognition!
Thank you, Minot, North Dakota community and our local, surrounding areas. Our friendly communities contribute to our students’ success, because they work hard to provide opportunities that enhance their learning and lifestyles. For example, Full STEAM Ahead in Minot ceaselessly offers Robotics camps and STEAM opportunities, which are highly valued always, but especially now while Starbase ND funding is currently nonexistent. In fact, 80 local students have been adversely impacted by Starbase ND’s closure thus far. Our Minot Air Force Base Robotics Team, Dragon Master Builders, was made possible through Minot AFB’s partnership with Full STEAM Ahead. This past week, local archeologist, Dr. Amanda Watts from Minot State University, shared her many dig experiences with our military-connected master builders – further enhancing our understanding of this year’s theme: Unearthed. Freely giving of her time and support to share her lifelong passion was a treasured experience!
Moreover, Minot was fittingly recognized as a Great American Defense Community this year due to its special relationship with Minot Air Force Base. We feel this daily, and I am so grateful to partner with Minot Public School Foundation to offer deployed parent dolls to families, Minot Public Library to support student literacy, and our recent Career Expo to share High School student college, career, and military options. There are so many other organizations—evident at our annual Minot AFB’ Back-to-School Brigade—and I thank you all for enhancing the quality of life for our military families!
As your School Liaison Program Manager, I promise to continue to develop and enhance these partnerships—actively enriching our local educational climate—to best support our military-connected students, educators, and communities. Please reach out with any partnership initiatives or resource requests to mafb.school.liaison@us.af.mil or 701-240-2380!
Achterling, Michael. “North Dakota 2026 Teacher of the Year wants to use platform to advocate for educators.” North Dakota Monitor, 26 September 2025. https://northdakotamonitor.com/2025/09/26/north-dakota-2026-teacher-of-the-year-wants-to-use-platform-to-advocate-for-educators/
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