Triton Teacher of the Year finds her calling
Now in her 26th year of teaching, Tara Bradford has been named No. 1.
The elementary librarian and STEM teacher, Bradford was recently named Teacher of the Year by her Triton Public School peers. Eight teachers were nominated for the award.
“It’s humbling for sure,” she said. “Everybody who was nominated is definitely worthy of that nomination. It’s so unexpected. I’m grateful and it’s rewarding for sure. It’s an honor.”
The award is peer-led, with teachers voting on who they think are Teacher of the Year material.
The bulk of Bradford’s career — 23 years — was spent teaching kindergarten at Triton. She’s in her third year serving as the elementary school’s librarian and STEM teacher.
What does she love most about her job? That every day is unique, she said.
“When you show up at work and every day there’s happiness and excitement around you and every day is different,” Bradford said. “There’s no risk of being bored when you’re a teacher.”
Her enthusiasm is obvious, says Triton Elementary School Principal Shane Van Beek.
“Tara Bradford is a veteran teacher here at Triton Elementary School who continues to be innovative each day when she shows up at work,” Van Beek said. “She is a great role model not only for our staff but for our students. We are lucky to have Tara Bradford as part of our team.”
“Tara is a great teacher,” echoes Shelly Bungum, a teaching peer of Bradford’s at Triton Elementary School and the one who oversees the Teacher of the Year award. “She has great, innovative ideas and knows how to reach all students in all areas of learning. She is kind and considerate and greets everyone with a smile. She’s been a great asset.”
Bradford lives in Kasson with her husband Mike and their youngest daughter, Emma. The couple has two older children as well. She graduated from Minnesota State University with a bachelor’s in elementary education and later returned to school to get her master’s in education.
She became a teacher because she’s always enjoyed being a student, she said.
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