Dickinson State University (DSU) alumnus Kendall Bergrud (‘12) has been named one of the four finalists for the 2025 North Dakota Teacher of the Year. Bergrud is a mathematics teacher at Wachter Middle School in Bismarck.
North Dakota School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler stated, “These finalists are exemplars of the outstanding teachers we are fortunate to have across North Dakota.” Baesler will visit the finalists’ respective schools once the 2024-25 school year begins to honor their achievements. North Dakota’s Teacher of the Year will be announced before September 30 and will become a candidate for the National Teacher of the Year award.
In 2021, the DSU education faculty honored him with the Outstanding Cooperating Teacher of the Year award. Dr. Pam Kruger, assistant professor, explained, “A cooperating teacher hosts student teachers in their classroom during the students’ final semester. The Outstanding Cooperating Teacher is nominated by their student teacher and chosen by the School of Education.” Dr. Deborah Secord described Bergrud as an exceptional classroom teacher and an amazing mentor who has been instrumental in preparing many DSU teacher candidates for the classroom. She further noted, “I am grateful for every opportunity our students have to observe him and work with him. He is truly one of the best!” Jeri Braunagel, Director of Undergraduate and Graduate Field Experience, quoted an email from Bergrud that he wrote when she reached out to ask him to mentor a student teacher. He responded to her, “I am excited for this opportunity to work with my alma mater and prepare someone for their future career in education.”
Inspiration and Dedication
Bergrud knew from a young age that he wanted to be a teacher. He said, “I came home from my first day of kindergarten and told my parents, ‘I am going to be a teacher.’ I never changed my mind, and every response for what I wanted to be when I grew up was always, ‘a teacher.’ The experiences I had throughout my education truly inspired me to pursue this dream. Many of my teachers created classrooms where students were eager to attend and learn. They provided a variety of learning opportunities that not only enhanced our understanding of the content but also taught essential life skills that have been invaluable in shaping who I am today.”
As a teacher, Bergrud aims to provide similar experiences for his students and inspire them to develop a passion for learning.
Q & A with Kendall Bergrud
We sat down with Mr. Bergrud to ask him a few questions. His insightful answers are inspirational not only to educators and future educators but to leaders in any profession.
Why did you choose DSU?
KB: I chose DSU because of the outstanding reviews I heard about their teacher education program, the excellent staff, and the smaller class sizes. From my conversations with college representatives, I knew that DSU was the place where I would be both supported and challenged as a learner, helping me reach my goals of becoming a teacher.
Who was your favorite teacher at DSU?
KB: I would have to say all of my professors at DSU are considered my favorite. Each of them brought so many great things to the teacher education program and shared valuable lessons which helped in preparing me for my own classroom.
What is your favorite subject to teach and why?
KB: My favorite subject to teach is math! Math challenges students to think critically and solve complex problems. It is really rewarding to see students grasp different concepts and logically think about their solutions to problems. Math is not just about numbers—it’s about teaching logical reasoning, perseverance, and the ability to approach problems in a variety of ways. I really enjoy creating engaging and interactive lessons that make math relatable and exciting, as well as helping students see the connection and relevance math has in their everyday lives.
How do you make learning fun and engaging for your students?
KB: There are several things I do to make learning fun and engaging for students. One of the biggest components is making real-world connections to students' interests to get them excited about learning. Next, I provide students with choices in how they learn and demonstrate their mastery of understanding concepts. Allowing students to select projects and/or topics that interest them has helped with their motivation and desire to learn the skills they need for the year. One of the other components I have found to help with engagement has been using a variety of different instructional methods which may include visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning to meet the needs of all learning styles in the classroom. Additionally, offering opportunities for collaboration helps students to learn from each other and build a sense of community, increasing their willingness to participate and stay engaged.
How do you incorporate technology into your teaching?
KB: Technology is an essential part of learning! There are many ways I incorporate technology in the classroom. One of the biggest components is using Google Classroom as an educational tool for students to be able to access lessons, videos, and other resources they may need to be successful as a learner. Technology has really helped with collaboration in my classroom as it allows students to work together in real time even if they are not all present in the classroom. Lastly, I use technology in the classroom to help provide feedback for students, allowing me to adjust lessons to support students with what they need to be successful.
What do you think are the most important qualities of an effective teacher?
KB: An effective teacher is organized, patient, motivating, flexible, reflective, has strong communication skills, a passion for teaching, and the ability to build strong relationships with students.
How do you foster a positive classroom environment?
KB: My biggest focus is on building strong relationships with students, which creates a foundation of trust and respect. Secondly, I set high expectations for both academic and behavioral achievement. I encourage students to always do their personal best and take ownership of their learning. Lastly, I provide a variety of learning experiences to meet the needs of all students in the classroom. Combining all of these components helps create a learning environment where all students feel valued, challenged, and inspired to succeed.
Can you share a memorable moment from your teaching career that made you proud?
KB: This past year, my teaching partner and I came up with an idea for a project for students to show their understanding of graphing in math and informative writing in English. As teachers, we were really not sure where the students would take this idea and what they would come up with for solutions to show their mastery of the topics in each content area. The students were given a limited number of requirements for the project, but many of them went above and beyond the expectations. The students ended up hosting a learning fair for the other students to show off their learning, and many other teachers in the building were amazed at what they had done to show their understanding of the topic. This is something that will always be memorable as it showed my teaching partner and me the importance of allowing students to have choice in their learning and not every assessment has to be paper and pencil.
Can you share a funny or touching story from your time as a teacher?
KB: The funniest moment from my teaching career involved a pair of ice skates and ice! We took our 7th graders on an ice-skating field trip. The students were challenging me to a race, and being the competitive person I am, I was not going to let any of them win! Side note: I am not an ice skater and probably should have stayed off the ice. The race started and I started out strong, until I lost my balance and fell flat on my back in front of all of the 7th graders! The only thing I could do at this point was laugh with them. I am thankful there is no video evidence of this happening. Although, I have learned that 7th graders never forget anything! I haven’t gone ice skating again since that day!
How do you keep yourself motivated and passionate about teaching?
KB: Building strong relationships with my students and understanding their unique needs and interests helps me stay connected to my work. Their enthusiasm and curiosity are contagious and motivate my passion for teaching. Also, witnessing students achieve their goals and overcome challenges is incredibly rewarding. Celebrating their progress and successes keeps me motivated and reinforces my commitment to teaching. Regular reflection helps me identify areas of improvement and stay engaged with my professional growth goals.
What advice would you give to new teachers entering the profession?
KB: The three things I would share with new teachers entering the profession would be:
- Focus on building positive relationships with students, parents, and colleagues at the start of the year. Relationships are the foundation of a successful school year.
- Seek advice and support from colleagues. Collaboration with other colleagues is a great way to gain advice as well as other resources to help support your classroom.
- Embrace the journey with an open mind and a positive attitude, and enjoy the opportunity to make a difference in your students' lives.
What book or resource would you recommend to other teachers?
KB: One of the best books I have read to challenge my thinking as a teacher and reflect on my career is “Relentless” by Hamish Brewer. I recommend this book for anyone who is looking to understand the importance of building relationships with students fostering a supportive school community.
What’s the most rewarding part of being a teacher for you?
KB: The most rewarding part of teaching is building meaningful relationships with students, helping them navigate challenges, and celebrating their success in and out of the classroom. Knowing that I have made a positive impact on their lives, both academically and personally, is what makes teaching a wonderful profession.
If you could change one thing about the education system, what would it be?
KB: Class size is always something that I feel should be changed to better support both teachers and students in the learning environment. Smaller class sizes would provide opportunities for teachers to have more meaningful interactions with students and enhance the ability to create individualized instruction to meet the needs of all learners.
Making a Difference
Kendall Bergrud's journey from a DSU student to a finalist for North Dakota Teacher of the Year is a story of dedication, innovation, and mentorship. As he continues to inspire and shape the minds of young learners, Bergrud's legacy will undoubtedly leave a lasting mark on the field of education.