Champlin Park Teacher Up for National Teaching Award
A Champlin Park High School teacher is receiving some prestigious praise.
Liz Keeling is in the running for a national teaching excellence award from the National Education Association Foundation.
It’s an honor that those who know her say is well-deserved.
“For me teaching is who I am,” Keeling said. “It is reflection of who I am. It is a reflection of how I interact with people, how I interact with the world.”
For almost two decades, Keeling has been advocating for students at Champlin Park High School.
“In my classroom, I take every student where they are and help them grow in whatever ways they need to grow,” said Keeling.
When the English and French teacher thought her students needed something different to grow better, she wasn’t afraid to make a change.
“In teaching you can either have a closed mindset or a growth mindset. I had experienced some things that weren’t really working for me, so I reached out to get some training and try some new things and those were very effective,” said Keeling.
Keeling began using what’s called the “catalyst approach” teaching model. She said it turned her classroom around.
“All catalyst strategies are, they are just structures to support students to be independent, support the classroom to be equitable, support the students to be successful,” she said.
Keeling works with a student at Champlin Park High School.
Champlin High School Principal Michael George says Keeling’s willingness to adapt and learn new things makes her an excellent educator.
“She really has a passion for learning for herself, which also then creates an environment of learning for her students which is just fantastic,” said George.
Keeling says her learning will never stop, nor will her advocacy for doing what’s in the best interest of her students.
“I just continue to see myself as a growing teacher who is continuing to grow and master my craft,” said Keeling.
Keeling, who previously taught journalism and yearbook, was nominated by her co-teacher for the award.
As the Minnesota nominee, Keeling will be interviewed in Washington, D.C., for one of the Awards for Teaching Excellence program honors that recognizes educators from around the country.
Sarah Alain, reporting
Also See: Local Teachers Added to Semifinalists for Teacher of the Year
Champlin Park High School
