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Klobuchar Meets with Minnesota Teacher of the Year

Klobuchar congratulates Derek Olson from Stillwater

April 30, 2009

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar met today with Minnesota’s Teacher of the Year, Derek Olson, a sixth grade teacher from Stillwater.  Klobuchar congratulated and thanked Olson for his great work as a teacher at Afton-Lakeland Elementary school in the Stillwater Area school district.  Olson and teachers from other states were honored by Barack Obama at a White House ceremony on Tuesday.

“I’ve seen firsthand how important teachers are to our children’s futures,” said Klobuchar.  “My mom was a public school teacher who taught second grade until she was 70 years old.  Even today, I run into people who smile and who are proud to say they had Mrs. Klobuchar as their teacher.”

“Minnesota is a state with a strong commitment to education and innovation and Derek is a testament to that commitment,” Klobuchar continued.  “I commend him for a job very well done.  We need to make sure our teachers get the support they need, and we need to make sure our schools continue to have top-quality teachers like Derek who can help our students succeed.”

Klobuchar recently announced that Minnesota will receive more $547 million to help save hundreds of teaching jobs at risk of state and local budget cuts.  This vital funding is available to Minnesota under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Before teaching at Stillwater’s Afton-Lakeland Elementary School, Olson taught in the St. Louis Park school district. He has a master’s in curriculum and instruction from the University of St. Thomas and a bachelor’s in economics from St. Olaf College.

A selection committee representing Minnesota leaders in education, business and government choose the Minnesota Teacher of the Year from individuals who are nominated and who then choose to become a candidate.


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