This story originally appeared in the August 2023 issue of The Red Cent and is reprinted with permission.  If you are a graduate of Grand Forks Public Schools and would like to receive The Red Cent – as well as membership into the alumni network – click here.

Ivona Todorovic, an English Language instructor at Red River High School and the 2023 North Dakota Teacher of the Year, has followed a non-traditional path through her education journey.  Raised in Zenica, Bosnia, Ivona was, in the words of her mother, “born to be a teacher.”  After graduating from a pedagogically-focused high school the University of Sarajevo’s elementary education degree program, Ivona began teaching in Zenica in 1991 – right at the beginning of sectarian violence following the dissolution of Yugoslavia in 1992.

Ivona and her husband moved Grand Forks in 1995, where she took a position as a Title One au pair at Lake Agassiz Elementary School.  Her fellow teachers encouraged Ivona to get back into teaching, and so, after earning both a bachelor’s and master’s at the University of North Dakota, Ivona became one of two English Language professionals with the Grand Forks School District in 2005. 

In addition to her role as a beloved teacher and colleague, Ivona is passionate about her platform, “Embracing Beautiful Challenges,” which she created, as she notes below in an interview with the Red Cent, to “remind the teachers of North Dakota of the true definition of joy.”  Said Grand Forks School Superintendent Dr. Terry Brenner, “You won’t find a bigger heart or a champion of students.”

Tell us about your year as Teacher of the Year.
Even though I was named the 23 North Dakota Teacher of the Year in September 2022, my official duties started in January 2023 and will end in January 2024. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to serve as the 23 ND TOY, and this experience has been transformative both as an educator and as a human being. It has opened doors to new perspectives and connections that extend far beyond the confines of my classroom. I can confidently say that I will never be the same person because of this journey.

So far, it has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience– many speaking engagements across the state, networking with 54 other teachers of the U.S. states and territories, learning about the leadership, being recognized at the White House, and recently attending the Space Camp to learn about different ways to spark the curiosity and love for learning in my students.

I will continue to work on my platform, “Embracing Beautiful Challenges,” reminding the teachers of North Dakota of the true definition of joy and how we keep chasing the joy of teaching and influencing young minds to become global citizens and kind human beings. Also, I will be connecting with the NSTOY 23 cohort group of teachers this October and January 2024. We have become one big family that loves discussing how we can serve our students and their families the best way possible in this age of A.I. technology, controversial dialogues, social media influence, and many fantastic learning and growing opportunities.

Lastly, I look forward to the Finale of College Football that will take place in Dallas, TX, where the 23 NSTOY cohort group is invited to be recognized on the football field, where all of us will be reminded that “Teachers Change Lives.” This last event will be a nice closing of my Teacher of the Year journey. 

What has been your proudest moment as a teacher?
There were many of those moments in my career, but if I had to choose one would be a video composed of my present and former students’ messages that were shown at Red River High School when Superintendent Baesler came to congratulate me on being one of the finalists for the 23 ND TOY. Over 25 students’ short video messages described my impact on their education and life. Of course, I cried happy tears.

What’s the most rewarding part about being a high school teacher? What’s the most challenging?
The most rewarding part of teaching is seeing how much my students grow from one year to another. They go from speaking a few words in English to being fully academically proficient, and all along the way, they find their voice and become ready to participate as productive members of our community.  

The most challenging part would be helping my students be confident and see the value of being different. My multilingual students have difficulty seeing what unique assets they are and what wealth they bring coming from diverse cultures and life circumstances.  

What are you most looking forward to in this coming year?
I eagerly anticipate advancing my platform, spreading my message of “Embracing Beautiful Challenges and Finding Joy” throughout the state. Additionally, I will actively engage with the 23 NSTOY teacher cohort group to foster networking and continue learning together. I am thrilled to meet and welcome new families and students from diverse countries and cultures into our wonderful community. Finally, I am excited about my new EL/ML GFPS Coordinator role and all the beautiful challenges and learning connected to that new job. 

If you could offer a new or up-and-coming teacher some advice, what would it be?
My first advice would be: Each morning, when you open your classroom doors, take a deep breath and remind yourself of your WHY. Second, do not hesitate to ask for help because your colleagues will be there for you. Lastly, take small steps, do not forget to laugh, and embrace the beautiful challenges you face because true joy comes in many forms.

If you could offer parents some advice, what would it be?
As a parent of a presently second-year medical resident and a former Red River High School student, I would say that we need to work on preparing our children for many challenges in their lives. I encourage all parents to be active partners in their children’s education. Collaborate with teachers, prepare their children for the best future possible and all obstacles that will come their way in this ever-changing world. Together, parents and teachers can create a brighter future for the next generation. 

You came to North Dakota from Zenica and now teach the English Language. What do you wish you could have told yourself when you first arrived in Grand Forks?
Breathe. Be confident. It is OK to be different, that is your superpower!

What do you hope to see next in English Language education in North Dakota?
I hope to see the productive network of EL/ML teachers established statewide and actively working with our new leadership at the NDDPI. We need to be more connected and work together across the state because we have many outstanding educators with much to offer.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?
I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the teachers of Grand Forks Public Schools and throughout North Dakota. Thank you for your hard work and unwavering dedication. You truly make a difference, and I’m proud to be part of such an inspiring community of educators. Together, let’s continue to embrace beautiful challenges and find joy in the transformative power of education.