Thursday, March 28, 2024

Tanya Klug named Triton teacher of the year

“To help students feel empowered to explore with an open mind and an open heart the diversity within their classrooms, school, community, world and within themselves. #whyiteach”

With this driving principle—affixed to her Triton classroom door—Spanish teacher Tanya Klug was propelled to “Teacher of the Year” for 2016 by her fellow Triton educators. The honor qualifies Klug to enter her name for consideration for the Minnesota teacher of the year.

A 2006 graduate from University of Wisconsin, Green Bay, Klug started teaching at the Triton school district back in September of 2010, after previously teaching in Wisconsin. This was Klug’s first time winning the honor, after having been nominated twice.

After being nominated, teacher vote on their preferred nominee as a sort of jury of peers or, as Klug described it “teachers vote on other teachers we think are awesome.”

Klug then shifted into a more modest mode, downplaying somewhat her role as a teacher and emphasizing, instead her role as a listener and empathizer.

“I don’t necessarily see myself as an exemplary teacher, per se,” said Klug, an odd admission for someone who was just named “teacher of the year.” “But I am good at establishing relationships with my students. I have what could be described as an over-abundance of empathy.”

Such an abundance of empathy is very useful to Klug when navigating the substantial high needs community she says exists within the Triton school district. With a high needs community, it’s important for Klug to be able relate to the students on a more personal level that’s deeper than simply listening alone.

“We have a lot of kids coming in with a lot of different needs who may come to school not prepared to learn,” she said. “I may not have experienced everything my students have gone through, but I can help them carry their difficult baggage better and help guide them through a learning process that can be extremely challenging for them.”

With the Triton teacher of the year honor now behind her, Klug waxes philosophical about submitting her name for state recognition. If she decides to do so, she

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