(Jeff Granrud / photo contributed by Kendell Kubasch / KRWC Radio)
A Wright County educator was recently named the 2025 National Rural Teacher of the Year by the National Rural Education Association.
Jeff Granrud, high school math teacher at Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Schools has been with the district for more than 26 years. He was singled out as the National Rural Teacher of the Year as someone who, according to NREA Executive Director Dr. Melissa Sadorf, “…represents the very best of rural education.” Sadorf said that Granrud’s “…commitment to student learning, his leadership in his district, and his ability to champion rural students’ voices made him a clear choice for this honor.”
Jeff told KRWC’s Kendell Kubasch that it’s hard to describe the feelings that come from hearing those kind of comments…
“It’s very humbling. None of us have ever gone into careers, particularly education, for accolades or awards, but to hear those things about me, it is very humbling, and when I heard it for the first time, it was….speechless.”
Granrud says teaching anywhere means more than just education, which is particularly important in rural districts…
“We don’t necessarily have as many resources as a rural community compared to larger communities. Our students don’t have access to YMCAs, YWCAs, Big Brother, Big Sisters, so as teachers…we kind of have to fill those roles. As we teach, we become part of the community, we become the community. It’s been a fun 28 years at Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted to the point that I now am having second generation students.”
In addition to his career in education, Granrud has also coached various sports, and leads a youth fishing initiative to teach an appreciation for the outdoors. Jeff has also been a longtime member of the local fire department and ambulance team.
The MREA will honor Jeff Granrud at the Greater Education Summit, November 16th through the 18th along with the 2025 MREA Educators of Excellence and Innovation Program winners.
(audio in the on-air story courtesy Kendell Kubasch / KRWC Radio)
