Congratulations to Kristi Reinke, a social studies teacher at Jim Hill Middle School in Minot, North Dakota, who has been named her state’s 2021 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Minot Daily News.

Congratulations are due to educator Kristi Reinke, a middle school social studies teacher from North Dakota, who has been named her state’s 2021 Teacher of the Year.

Kristi teaches geography and Social Studies to seventh graders at Jim Hill Middle School in Minot, North Dakota. In a career spanning 16 years, she has taught 15 of them at Jim Hill. In all, she has spent seven years of her career in special education and seven years in general education. Prior to becoming a teacher, she worked as an education support professional working with at-risk students.

Kristi is well-respected among her students. “She’s really opened my eyes to wanting to learn more,” remarked student Erin McLean. “School is not the most favorite thing for people, but she made it one of my favorite classes,” she said. And the inspiration the honored teacher generates goes beyond her students. “She keeps me young and innovated,” declares colleague Pete Sternberg. “She’s always doing new things. One of the things that I want to do, that she does regularly, is skyping people from all over the world,” he continued. Principal Mike Arlien agrees. “Her unbridled compassion and enthusiasm in the classroom is what makes the magic happen. You just can’t fake that,” he remarked.

In addition to her work in the classroom, Kristi is involved in school leadership, the Superintendent Advisory Committee, and the Minot Public Schools Safety Committee. She is also a student council advisor. And, as if all that were not enough, she is active in her local teachers’ union. She serves as an executive officer of the Minot Education Association and is an active member of North Dakota United.

her current honor is not the only one Kristi has earned. For her outstanding work on behalf of students and teachers, Kristi was named the 2019-2020 Minot Public Schools Teacher of the Year.

Kristi earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, a second Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, and her Master’s degree in Special Education, all at Minot State University.