When Lucinda Rofshus accepted the bouquet of flowers and 2021 Teacher ofk the Year plaque from family members and colleagues on Nov. 16, she was quick to defer praise.
“I don’t think I do anything that other teachers don’t do,” she said. “We just make a really good team here.”
But her peers thought differently when they selected her for the annual honor during this year’s American Education Week Nov. 16-20.
“This year’s nominee is known for going above and beyond for their students,” said last year’s TOY Dennis Moritz in the announcement that revealed Rofshus as this year’s honoree.
“This person will always go out of their way to help their students … this individual takes the time to research new and innovative teaching methods, the latest technology, the best way to meet the students’ needs.”
Rofshus, currently a fourth-grade teacher, has taught for 29 years — the first three at Alden-Conger Public Schools and the last 26 at her alma mater in Luverne, where she graduated in 1985.
“When I first took a position in Luverne, I taught high school special ed,” she said in an interview after the TOY announcement.
“I then transferred to second grade, moved to third grade, then elementary special ed, and now I’m in fourth grade.”
When Rofshus (nee Madtson) graduated from LHS, she attended Worthington Community College before transferring to Mankato State University for a degree in elementary education and a minor in special education.
In 2000 she received a master’s degree from Southwest State University in Marshall.
Her commitment to teaching and dedication to her students were put to the test earlier this year when school buildings across the state were closed and education moved to distance learning.
Earlier this month Luverne Elementary suspended in-person, everyday learning to in-person every other day.
“School is scary for kids right now,” Rofshus said.
“Kids are not afraid of getting the coronavirus — they are afraid of going hybrid and distance learning, because it’s difficult and not fun for them.”
To help with the anxiety and lack of routine caused by hybrid and distance learning, Rofshus has embraced technology to keep fun elements the students are used to in the classroom present as they learn from home.
“Being ‘older’ I don’t learn things as fast, but we need to keep trying to find the newest ‘cool tech’ to keep kids having fun at school,” she said.
No matter the education platform, Rofshus looks for the same learning engagement she has become used to as a veteran of the classroom.
“I love it when I see their eyes light up and they get it,” she said. “I like it when they say ‘this is hard’ and then I tell them, ‘Great, school is supposed to be hard.’ That means I’m doing my job.”
Rofshus occasionally hears from former students about what they did in the classroom together.
“The things they remember have nothing to do with learning. It has to do with the fun we had together,” she said.
“I hope I can inspire one or two kids to go into education, because we have really great kids in our community with just as much love and compassion.”