Educators Are the Real MVPs

by Carrie Skogsberg

Several lucky high school football teams had the opportunity to feel like the pros when they got to play at the Minnesota Vikings’ TCO Stadium during the Vikings Prep Spotlight presented by FVP in September. But the athletes and coaches weren’t the only standouts – COUNTRY Financial recognized 6 Minnesota teachers as the Teachers of the Game.

Six teachers were selected by their respective schools as COUNTRY Financial Teachers of the Game and received a donation of $1,000 each for their schools. 

The COUNTRY Financial Teachers of the Game were each selected by their school administrators for their commitment to their students and going above and beyond in their professions.

“It is very important to honor our teachers as they work daily with our youth, and our youth is our future,” said Ryan Plattenberger, Agency Manager at COUNTRY Financial in Rochester, Minn.  “I think it’s great that we recognize them and give them money for supplies in the classroom to have an even bigger impact on their students. Teachers sometimes have to spend money out of their own pockets to buy new materials or supplies.”

COUNTRY Financial representatives had a great time surprising the winning teachers with the recognition and donation to their schools. “Mankato West even had the band in the teacher’s room along with some of her students and football players there to surprise Kim Hermer,” said Plattenberger.  Check out a video from Kim Hermer on how she will be using the donation in her classroom!

Rochester Mayo High School teacher Art Trimble told the Rochester Post-Bulletin, “It's really neat that they're recognizing teachers for everything they do inside and outside of the classroom."

This is the second year COUNTRY Financial has recognized Teachers of the Game with the Minnesota Vikings.