A third-grade teacher at Luverne Elementary was chosen by her peers as the 2023 Luverne Education Association Teacher of the Year.
Pam Christensen began teaching full time at Luverne Elementary in 2000. She’s spent all but one year teaching third-graders.
The annual announcement took place Monday in the Luverne Middle-High School commons and kicked off American Education Week.
“This week we celebrate everyone who works with our students,” said Amy Sahly, last year’s LEA Teacher of the Year. “Thank you for all the amazing work you do with and for our kids.”
The LEA also awarded the 2023 Friend of Education to the school custodial staff. See related story.
Sahly said the nominations for Christensen singled out her caring nature with both students and staff as to why they selected her as their top teacher.
“She genuinely cares about each student and has an individual approach to teaching.
“She has a way of helping each student feel loved and accepted. She treats each one of her students — even the challenging ones — with compassion, patience and respect while holding them accountable.
“She’s a great listener and take the time to listen to her students fully to understand them. She also displays these qualities with her coworkers.
“She has demonstrated a high level of professionalism and dedication that would be difficult for any to achieve.
“She is amazing.”
Christensen, an LHS Class of ’82 graduate, was influenced to make education her career choice by her teacher parents, the late Konrad and Barb Eidahl. Konrad taught sixth grade and Barb instructed preschoolers. Both inspired their second oldest child to be the best teacher possible.
“I was always drawn to teaching at the elementary level,” Christensen said. “Students at this age are excited about learning, and I am excited about helping them reach their potential.”
She stressed that getting to know her students through listening to them goes a long way in education.
“By getting to know my students, I am better equipped to teach to their strengths, identify and intervene on problems early, and find a balance for the different learning styles in class,” Christensen said.
“Teaching is a great platform to impact young lives with positivity, kindness and compassion. I look forward to meeting my new students every fall.”
Christensen and her late husband, Tim, have three adult children. Cody lives in Luverne, Matt in Chicago and Stephanie (Tim) Connell and daughter, Callie, live in Maui.
“I am proud to be a teacher in my hometown,” Christensen said. “It is my joy to be working with the wonderful staff and students at Luverne schools. All of us working together leads to great results.”