School counselor Amy Riley named Bemidji’s Teacher of the Year (2024)

BEMIDJI — For demonstrating a deep commitment to the well-being and success of students, Amy Riley was named Teacher of the Year at the Bemidji Education Association’s annual all-faculty event on Wednesday at Bemidji High School.

Riley works as a counselor at Gene Dillon Elementary and has been a school counselor for 25 years. She oversees more than 700 students, giving them advice, providing solutions to challenges they face and collaborating with their teachers and support staff.

While presenting the award, Kate Pearson of the Bemidji Education Association noted Riley’s ability to connect with students on a personal level.

“One colleague remarked: it is no secret that the last several years of teaching have been difficult,” Pearson read. “Students are struggling; we staff are struggling. Who deals with the effects of what’s going on in society and our community more than a school counselor?"

Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer

Alongside serving as a school counselor, Riley also heads up Gene Dillon’s social-emotional learning curriculum, and acts as the school’s testing coordinator, Student Council leader and fill-in administrator.

Pearson read a note from a Gene Dillon student who strongly endorsed Riley for the award.

“Mrs. Riley should be Teacher of the Year because, one, she wears really good outfits,” Pearson read, eliciting laughter from the crowd. “Two, she has a very good attitude. Three, she fits very well into our school. And four, I like the llama pictures she prints for me.”

After accepting the award, Riley offered words of encouragement to the educators in the auditorium as they prepare to dive into a new school year.

“My hope for all of you this year is that you find something new — a new lesson, activity or student — that reignites your passion for teaching,” she said. “By fostering a culture of collaboration and encouragement, we can help create a resilient teaching community that thrives even in the face of adversity.”

Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer

The Lay Educator of the Year award was presented to Deb Ostman, who has served as an AmeriCorps foster grandparent in ISD 31 for 11 years. She started out volunteering in classrooms at Central Elementary and then transferred to J.W. Smith, where she currently works with kindergarten students.

Ostman also serves as a volunteer reader and assistant in the libraries at J.W. Smith and Solway, and helped start the Bemidji Public Library’s Red Door Bookstore.

“Deb visits the library every day, carefully choosing picture books to read to kindergarten students,” Pearson said, quoting a staff member. “The children love when Grandma Deb reads to them.”

Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer

Colleagues who nominated Ostman for the award noted her caring and nurturing nature, as well as a passion for reading that she extends to students.

“It has been a joy to come to school each day to share my love of books and reading with the students, helping them learn, watching them grow each day until that very special day when a child comes to me and asks, ‘Grandma Deb, can I read to you?’” Ostman said with a smile. “Best day ever.”

Tammy Dunlap, secretary at the Alternative Education Center, was named Support Professional of the Year. Dunlap has worked in her role for the past 20 years.

“While her job title is secretary, she has also frequently taken on the roles of guidance counselor, social worker, custodian and nurse,” Pearson noted. “This was necessary, since for 17 of those 20 years, none of these support staff were on-site at the AEC.”

Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer

Dunlap has worn many hats during her time with the school district. In addition to working with a wide range of at-risk students, she has also worked for five principals at five locations, collaborating with staff members from different schools, treatment centers and juvenile facilities.

“Colleagues shared that Tammy has always stood out as the AEC expert and the friendly face who represents the school,” Pearson said. “She knows all the students and the specific issues they face in their personal lives and academic endeavors. The relationships she forms with them are crucial to the students’ success.”

As Dunlap will not be returning to Bemidji Area Schools this year, the award marks the end of a decades-long journey of inspiring AEC students as she sets off on a new chapter.

"She is the one (students) call when life threatens to get in the way," Pearson said. "She’s the one who understands, reassures and convinces them not to give up."

Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer

Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer

Madelyn Haasken is the multimedia editor at the Bemidji Pioneer. She is a 2020 graduate of Bemidji State University with a degree in Mass Communication, with minors in writing and design. In her free time, she likes watching hockey, doing crossword puzzles and being outside.