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Perham teacher named state’s best

Published 9:30am Friday, September 21, 2007

It was to be an ordinary faculty meeting — or so Carl Aakre thought. The Perham High School agri-science teacher had gathered with colleagues a few days prior to the first day of school, expecting a fairly typical agenda. But during the meeting, Tamara Uselman, superintendent of Perham-Dent Public Schools, made an announcement: Aakre had been named Wal-Mart’s Minnesota Teacher of the Year, the recipient of a $10,000 grant for his school.

“The most ironic thing about it was we were talking about goals for the school year and mine was to bring in more money for my department,” Aakre said Thursday, as students, staff and community members stopped by for cake and handshakes in the high school cafeteria.

Earlier in the afternoon, Wal-Mart representatives formally presented Aakre with his award in a jam-packed auditorium. The honor was actually his second of the year: In May, Aakre was named a Wal-Mart Local Teacher of the Year, selected to receive a $1,000 after he was nominated at a local store. Phi Delta Kappa International, a professional education association, selected winners at the state level, awarding each $10,000 for his or her school.

Aakre, a graduate of Hawley High School, said a former ag instructor influenced his decision to become a teacher, with involvement in Future Farmers of America fostering his interest in agriculture. He began his career in Perham three years ago following positions in Marshal and St. Paul, teaching courses like wildlife management, landscaping and agricultural careers. With the $10,000 grant, he hopes to further develop the school’s horticultural program.

Colleagues describe Aakre as knowledgeable and engaging, a teacher who reaches out to all students.

“He instills a love of being curious about the way the world works and how things interact,” said Perham High School Principal John Rutten.

“He strives to make (the curriculum) more real for kids,” added Susan Tostenson, a biology teacher who has team-taught with Aakre.

During Thursday’s program, Aakre described what he believes are the real rewards of teaching — learning of a former student’s acceptance to medical school or plans to start a dairy, for example. It all boils down to seeing students take chances and follow their dreams.

“That is the reward for teaching,” he said. “That’s why I come to school everyday.”