Naycee Emm Harris

Sara Medalen

Inspirational Message, 2020 MPS & ND Teacher of the Year

Sara Medalen believes teachers make the world a better place one child at a time. As a reading and math interventionist at Sunnyside Elementary School in Minot, Medalen gives students the hope and tools they need to overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams.

Her belief that positive change starts with children led to her developing programs that strengthen academics and empower students as learners and change-makers. Medalen started the Girl Power program, which promotes global literacy and empowers girls to make a positive difference for themselves and others. Medalen's Books & Braids program, which combines the development of relationships and reading skills, has earned widespread recognition and was featured on the CBS national news.

Medalen's pursuit of helping students succeed extends beyond the classroom. She is a mentor for Companions for Children, a mentoring organization, and BioGirls which builds life skills through positive mentoring and physical fitness. In addition, you will likely see Medalen riding a mobile library bicycle or driving an ice cream truck through her students' neighborhoods to promote reading.

Medalen is a 28-year teaching veteran and was named the 2020 North Dakota Teacher of the Year. Most recently she received national recognition, receiving the Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence. Medalen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education and deaf education and a Master of Science degree in special education from Minot State University.