Cooper Teacher of the Year Candidate Makes Special Classroom Connections

Cooper High School math teacher Garrett Bruce brings a passion into the classroom.

“I go through the whole gamut of emotions, where I get excited when they get something they’ve been working really really hard on,” he told CCX News.

He’s an expert in complicated formulas, including algebra and encouragement.

“A lot of these kids come in with years and years of being told, it’s O.K., you’re not a math person, which is a ridiculous statement in itself,” he said.

He focuses on building connections with students that are worth more than just math equations.

“It means a lot that I’m able to build those strong, positive relationships with these students — it’s something every year that I try to intentionally do,” he said.

Cooper High School math teacher Garrett Bruce is one of 31 semifinalists for the 2025 Teacher of the Year award.

Those close relationships come in handy when he’s pushing students to learn new and tough topics.

“So that’s kind of like, getting them to break through that wall and make them believe that they can do math and they can be successful at it,” he said.

He’s been nominated for a 2025 Teacher of the Year award.

“Just to, number one — be nominated, was special in its own right, but to get as far as I have right now, is, that’s pretty amazing,” Bruce said.

And now, he’s one of 31 semifinalist candidates, and the only Robbinsdale Area Schools teacher left in the running.

It’s an honor that nearly left him speechless.

“It’s hard to put into words,” he said. “Like, I don’t get into teaching to win awards or make millions and millions of dollars.”

For Bruce, the time he’s spent teaching his students is an award on it’s own.

“It’s still something that, you know, gets me up in the morning,” he said. “It’s still something that I go in, want to do, and change students’ minds about mathematics as a whole.”

The winner for the Teacher of the Year award will be announced in May.

Cooper High School

New Hope