An English Language teacher from Red River Hgh School in Grand Forks has been named the 2023 North Dakota Teacher of the Year.
Ivana Todorovic is a native of Bosnia, who came to Grand Forks in 1995. She teaches students who are not fluent in English, or are learning the language for the first time. And she has been teaching for 17 years.
Todorovic received the honor at a state capitol ceremony in Bismarck. In her remarks, she encouraged teachers to continue to make a difference.
"Don't ever forget that you do make a difference in your students' lives," Todorovic said. "And this itself gives us energy, inspiration and passion to continue our journey as teachers and public servants of this great country and state. And rememeber — we may not have it all together, but together, we have it all."
Todorovic was one of four finalists for the award. The others were Abby DuBord, a first grade teacher at Elk Ridge Elementary School in Bismarck; Megan Margerum, a third grade teacher at Northern Cass Public School; and Megan Wald, a business instructor at Linton High School.