Teacher of the Year Awards

Committed to continued improvement and learner centered education, I have enjoyed teaching students and learning with them at Valley City State University since 1973.  The VCSU Student Senate honored me with its Teacher of the Year award in the premier year of 1990 and a second time in 1996.  While my calling to "teach" has its own immeasurable rewards, this recognition from students has meant a great deal to me.
Kathryn Holleque

1990 Student Senate Award Criteria

  • Teaching ability
  • Student-teacher relationship
  • Extracurricular contribution to student life
  • Ability to challenge students academically
  • Tangible contributions to VCSU
  • Educational history 

1990 Response to the Student Senate

I thank you for selecting me to receive the first Student Senate Teacher of the Year Award.  In my twenty-two years of teaching, I have had many gratifying experiences, but receiving this award from you students certainly is a high point and I am humbly grateful.  One does not go into teaching expecting this kind of recognition.

Valley City State University is a fine institution with a great student body and an outstanding group of faculty and staff.  It is a privilege to be here.  I am glad to be part of this operation, proud of what we have accomplished, and thankful for the opportunity of traveling through life with people who care about each other.  I commend you for being who you are and for the contributions you have made along the way, and I hope that you share my enthusiasm for and dedication to the challenging tasks that lie ahead.

Norman Cousins wrote in the April 2, 1990, issue of Time magazine that "The first aim of education is to develop respect for life, just as the highest expression of civilization is the supreme tenderness that people are strong enough to feel and manifest toward one another....few things are more rewarding than...the nurturing of human relationships or how we locate the best in ourselves and put it to work."   These are good words for us to consider, I think, as we relate to other people, sort out our priorities, and determine our goals for the future.  God be with you on the journey.

Thank you again for your kind recognition.  The award is an honor, but also an additional incentive for me to do a better job in the future.

1996 Student Senate Award Criteria

  • Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the field and communicate that knowledge in an effective manner.
  • Establish a positive learning environment and show respect and concern for students.
  • Inspire enthusiasm for learning and challenge students academically.
  • Be available to students outside of the classroom.
  • Use innovative teaching methods.
  • Show evidence of continued professional development.

1996 Response to the Student Senate

With humble gratitude and deep appreciation, I thank you sincerely for the award, Teacher of the Year. You have upheld me and affirmed my work by your action.  While it is a deeply moving thing to receive such recognition from students, I am also mindful of ways in which I have failed you. There is a great deal about myself that I need to work on and much in my teaching and relationships which can be improved. My pledge to you is that I will continue to learn.  My trust is that you will help me do that.

As I approach the half century mark of my life and move ever closer to the end of this existence, I am increasingly aware that each day is a gift, that caring means being present to each other, that people have worth which is not defined by their successes, that both solitude and community are essential, and that life is a very complex adventure.  I am glad to share the journey with you, and I thank God we don't have to go it alone.

Among my hopes for each of you is continued spiritual growth in all your encounters on the path of life.  To quote from M. Scott Peck: "Do what you feel called to do, but also be prepared to accept that you don't necessarily know what you're going to learn. Be willing to be surprised by forces beyond your control, and realize that a major learning on the journey is the art of surrender."

And it ain’t necessarily gonna be easy!  J  Especially ‘cause we like to run our own show.

Thanks for who you are and the good that you do, and once again for choosing me to be your Teacher of the Year.  Climb on…….