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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Five North Dakota and Minnesota high school educators have been selected to receive a Distinguished Education Professional award from North Dakota State University.

The recipients were nominated by NDSU Office of Admission staff based on leadership, commitment and excellence in supporting access to higher education and support of NDSU’s recruiting efforts.

‘It is an honor for us to recognize individuals who truly believe in the value of education and who place the greatest importance on helping students succeed,” said Seinquis Leinen, NDSU associate director of admission. “We enjoy getting to know each of them a little better and showing them all that NDSU has to offer.”

Kyle Gylland of Barnesville, MN, Emily Mattran of Chanhassen, MN, Kelsey Beckstrom of Oakes, ND, Heather Schieno of Dickinson, ND, and Leslye Erzberger of Circle Pines, MN will all be recognized.

Beckstrom has been the high school counselor at Oakes for four years. “I have students from the time they start middle school in the seventh grade until the day of graduation. However, long after they graduate, I will still be calling them my student,” said Beckstrom, who has worked in education for six years. “Many of my upperclassman authentically share their dreams for the future with me, and thus I become so invested in them as a person that I want to see more than anything what they make happen in their lives after high school.”

Beckstrom earned her bachelor’s degree at Minnesota State University Moorhead and her master’s degree in counseling from Northern State University, Aberdeen, South Dakota.

“My students feel compelled to be ‘successful.’ I don’t focus on which college they want to attend but rather what career they see themselves in,” Beckstrom said. “From that point, I teach them how to analyze different majors and general education programs. They are challenged to become experts on those majors and what jobs they can find from their field of study.

The Distinguished Education Professionals will be honored at an award ceremony during the Discover NDSU event March 30-31.

Photo courtesy of Oakes Public Schools.