Jill' s nomination: 

Jill Bakken has taught students about chemical and physical science for the last 23 years, all of which have been somewhere in the Red River Valley. Most of the last decade she has been teaching Chemistry, and over half of those years she has worked for Bagley Public Schools. She will tell you that her greatest career accomplishment is simply being part of students' lives and helping them learn just how relatable and important chemistry is to all of us. Jill has advised students in several academic endeavors, including state, national and international competitions with ISEF and the American Indian Science and Engineering Society. She has traveled with students all over the country as they presented their scientific research, giving students from our rural area the excitement and opportunity of real-world science.

Jill has also involved students in the River Watch program since the beginning of her career. Her students have been a part of MPCA data collection and research for watershed districts to make decisions about water quality programming and intervention efforts. Jill received the Voyageur Award from the International Water Institute for her involvement in the Red River Valley River Watch program. She has advised Knowledge Bowl teams to multiple regional and state competitions and motivated many students to find their educational strengths and talents. She loves to welcome community experts and university students to her classroom to show students that Chemistry is everywhere! It is very important to Jill that all students, regardless of background or situation, learn the value of Chemistry and science in their lives and how to make their best choices with that knowledge.