Education Notes
- Third-grade teacher Renee Pedersen was named Proctor's 2021 Teacher of the Year. Pedersen is in her 12th year teaching third grade at Pike Lake Elementary School. Her top priority as an educator is getting to know her students' individual learning styles and personalities. She works to develop lasting, trusting relationships with her students and their families through empathy, approachability and humor. When a solid foundation of mutual respect, open communication and trust is built, she finds that her students feel safe taking risks and pushing themselves to meet the high expectations that she holds for them.
Donations
- Minnesota Power donated $10,000 to be divided among CHUM, Life House and Kids Closet. CHUM received $5,000 for winter footwear and a holiday meal at the warming shelter at the Rainbow Center in Duluth, and Life House and Kids Closet each received $2,500 so children and teens can receive cold weather gear, including jackets, mittens, hats, coats, socks and boots. The contributions are in lieu of hosting the traditional Community Christmas Tree on the plaza outside the company’s headquarters in downtown Duluth. The construction schedule for ongoing plaza renovations will continue into the holiday season, preventing Minnesota Power from safely hosting the tree this year.
- The Bluebird Foundation has received a $10,000 donation from the Irving Community Club. The Bluebird Foundation is a nonprofit organization that awards grants and scholarships to high school age kids in the performing arts. In its 6-plus years, it has awarded over $40,000 to area youth. The Irving Community Club was incorporated in 1972. Last year alone the Irving Community Club donated over $243,000 to youth organizations and kids in need all over Duluth.
ADVERTISEMENT
1/
2/Jordon Johnson, Life House executive director, (left) and Life House staff members will distribute the gift bags from Minnesota Power. The company donated about 100 gift bags filled with mittens, socks, hand sanitizers and other items.
