Excellent Educator: DeNise Pellinen Of Jefferson Elementary
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Can you think of doing something every day for 22 years and not getting tired of it?
One teacher in south Minneapolis has been helping second graders in the classroom for that long, and says she loves every day she gets to go to work.
That passion is what makes DeNise Pellinen this week's Excellent Educator.
"Teaching is very much of a challenge, it's never the same from year to year, day to day, there is always something that challenges me that I have to learn about," Pellinen said. 'It's never boring.'
Pellinen is known at Jefferson Elementary School for her hugs and warm approach to teaching.
"A lot of kids have said, she seems very much like a grandma and they feel very comfortable with her," said Bridget Hall, the school's principal.
Pellinen is also known to be a teacher to other teachers.
Hall said she's always reaching out to newer teachers and offering advice on what has worked for her, but she also loves receiving advice and new ideas from others, too.