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Former Princeton Secondary student up for Teacher of the Year Award

Carl Sandness, son of John and Marcy Sandness of Princeton is in the running for Teacher of the Year Award in Minnesota.
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Carl Sandness

John Sandness has a lot to be proud of these days and he’s not just fishing for compliments.

Sandness was just informed that his son Carl, a physics, chemistry and pre-engineering instructor at Hibbing High Schoo in Hibbing, Minnesota, has been nominated for the 2014 Minnesota Teacher of the Year award. Carl is one of 128 teachers to be nominated for this years award.— He is also the only candidate from the Iron Range in the running for this award, which will be announced in May.

Carl was born and raised in Princeton, attending Princeton Secondary School during his high school years, graduating in 1988. Young Carl knew ever since the eighth grade that he was destined for teaching high school biology.

“He’s a very dedicated teacher—he comes from a long line of teachers (7 out of 9 in the family,)” says Sandness of his son. “He’s a chip off the old block and we’re very proud,” he adds.

During Carl’s university years, he enjoyed long distance running and was photographer for the university newspaper.

Acknowledging his passion for science, Sandness earned a bachelor of science in biology and bachelor’s of applied science in teaching life science/middle school science from the University of Minnesota-Duluth (UMD) in 1994. In 2003, Sandness obtained his master’s of science from UMD and in 2007, as well as achieving semi-finalist for Teacher of the Year for Hibbing United Educators, Sandness completed his graduate certificate in energy education from Hamline University.  This year, Carl is working on his master’s of engineering degree in chemical engineering.

“He loves the outdoors, just like his dad,” says John of his son, whom he raised single-handedly. It seems that Carl is following in his father’s footsteps considering the elder Sandness taught biology and the sciences for many years at Princeton Secondary School.

The humble Carl Sandness is taking the nomination in stride, saying win or not, he would be happy either way—to him his reward is teaching.

So, as far as his father John is concerned, he couldn’t be any more thrilled for his son.

“He’s not only a good person, he’s morally sound—and I miss him dreadfully.”

John Sandness, local fly tier and author of Trout Talk looks forward to a summer visit with his son and family this year.