Proctor Math Teacher a Semifinalist for Minnesota ‘Teacher of the Year’

Kristin Kelpo has been praised for use of technology in her classroom

PROCTOR, Minn. – A seventh grade Proctor math teacher is one step closer to becoming  Minnesota’s next Teacher of the Year.

Kristen Kilpo has taught at Proctor for 7 years and is one of 37 semifinalists up for the award. She has received praise from her colleagues for her use of technology in the classroom and a new method she has implemented called flipped learning.

“In a traditional math class, the teacher is at the front of the room explaining the concept, and the kids go home and do the homework,” said Kilpo. “In my room it’s reversed, so the kids are at home listening to me and watching me explaining a concept at home, then they come in to class and they practice the skill.”

Kilpo is also in charge of technology integration at Proctor, helping other teachers understand how to use digital tools in their classes.

“Every time teachers go in and observe her they leave there going wow, because she does so much in such a short amount of time with many students,” said Tim Rohweder, principal at Proctor. “She has a full class 30 plus kids in a classroom and she’s able to meet every student and the needs that they have.”

10 teachers will be selected as finalists in the coming weeks. Current Minnesota Teacher of the Year, Abdul Wright, will announce his successor at a banquet May 7 at the Mall of America Radisson.