Karen Poortvliet Chosen Teacher of the Year
Karen Poortvliet Chosen Teacher of the Year
Education Minnesota Comfrey has chosen Karen Poortvliet as the 2005-2006 Comfrey Teacher of the Year. Karen is presently teaching five subject areas that include Chemistry, Biology, Earth Science, Life Science and Physical Science.
Karen graduated from Cosmos High School in 1972. She attended college at St. Cloud State University and graduated in 1976 with a Biology major and a Chemistry minor. Further course work was done at Mankato State College to complete a General Science major. Karen began her teaching career in Butterfield before being hired in Comfrey in 1980. Karen continues to update her education with the big challenge of being fully licensed in Chemistry, Physics and Earth Science at the high school level as mandated by No Child Left Behind rules.
Karen’s philosophy in teaching is to provide a good classroom atmosphere for students to learn and achieve. Karen said it is fun and a challenge to work with a wide range of abilities, personalities, and subject matter: "it is never boring." Karen is not sure if it is aging her or keeping her young! Challenges continue to be the ever changing Federal and State standards as well as a shorter attention span of the student.
Karen says the Comfrey School has been a good place to teach with a small, close knit staff and she feels the community has been a good place to live and raise a family.
The National Teacher of the Year Program began in 1952 and continues as the oldest, most prestigious national honors program that focuses public attention on excellence in teaching.
The National Teacher of the Year is chosen from among the State Teachers of the Year by a national selection committee representing the major national education organizations. Each April, the National Teacher of the Year is introduced to the American people by the President of the United States.