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The Hills-Beaver Creek Education Association revealed the 2023 teacher of the year and friend of education recipients Friday night during the school district’s commencement exercises.
Randi Oftedahl is the HBCEA 2023 Teacher of the Year.
Kathy Metzger is the HBCEA 2023 Friend of Education.
Oftedahl chosen as Teacher of the Year
Hills-Beaver Creek middle school teacher Randi Oftedahl was quick to credit others in an interview prior to receiving the teacher of the year award.
“I am thankful for the many student aides that have spent time in my classroom, and I realize I wouldn’t be about to carry out all of my projects and programs or be as effective in my classroom without their help,” she said prior to the event.
Colleagues noticed Oftedahl’s dedication to education, as expressed in their nomination forms.
“Mrs. Oftedahl does amazing community service projects with her students, and it’s wonderful to see our students take ownership and pride in these projects with her.”
“She’s a caring teacher who has her students’ best interests at heart and works to help all students succeed.”
“As her colleague, I am thankful I can go to her at any time with questions and she always takes time out of her busy day to help me find solutions.
“Every year (except the Covid years), Randi has taken the initiative to make the veteran’s program memorable and honorable. This year there was even a letter from a community member thanking her for all she has done.”
Oftedahl began teaching middle school students in Hills eight years ago, after her husband, Craig, was hired as Luverne Schools superintendent.
The Warroad, Minnesota, native taught for almost three decades in Eveleth-Gilbert and Warroad before coming to Hills, where she teaches eighth-grade history and science.
Community service projects come naturally to Oftedahl.
“Growing up, my parents encouraged us to give back to the community,” she said. “I have carried that idea into my teaching each year and enjoy getting students engaged in the community with various projects.”
Most recently, her students developed a “toy library” for the communities of Hills and Steen. From the library, children can borrow sand toys, play with them, and then return when finished for use by other children.
“I feel it is important to have kids be active and outside,” Oftedahl said.
And connected to their communities, where elements from the classroom are reinforced.
“It is important to me that students have a basic understanding of knowledge in the various subject matters,” she said. “Through the base knowledge, we make connections to each other and find trust in one another. Once the trust is built, higher levels of learning can take place and students excel.”
The Oftedahls have four grown children and each has been influential in what Randi does in the classroom.
“My family has been amazing and has helped me develop my crazy ideas — given me constructive feedback — and unending support throughout my years of teaching and coaching,” she said.
Metzger served district for more than three decades
Kathy Metzger is a long-term substitute teacher for Hills-Beaver Creek School District, and for her dedication she was chosen the H-BC Education Association 2023 Friend of Education.
A classroom teacher for one year, Metzger soon found a place in education as a long-term substitute, a position that allowed her to care for her four children with her husband, Ray.
Metzger took her substituting seriously, said Megan Klumper, the HBCEA representative who announced and gave the award to Metzger Friday night during the high school commencement.
Klumper was speechless trying to describe the confidence that Metzger brought to the classroom, leaving the regular classroom teacher with the feeling the students were in good hands.
Others thought the same thing on their nomination of Metzger.
“She is reliable, organized and always willing to go the extra mile when she is our sub — we all breathe a sigh of relief as we know she will get the job done well,” read one comment.
Metzger substitutes for all grade levels and for all subjects at both the elementary school in Beaver Creek and the secondary school in Hills.
Once a year she completes a special job for the district.
“She also volunteers for the spelling bee as our pronouncer of words,” one nominator wrote.
Metzger is unsure exactly when she started substitute teaching, but it was before her youngest child, Rex, a 1998 H-BC graduate, and a teacher himself at H-BC, began attending school.
“She was subbing when I was a student at H-BC,” Rex said.