“These finalists are exemplars of the outstanding teachers we are fortunate to have across North Dakota,” said North Dakota School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler in a release. “Our educators deserve our appreciation, respect and admiration for the work they do with our young people.”
This year’s finalists are:
- Kendall Bergrud, a mathematics teacher at Wachter Middle School in Bismarck;
- Macie Harris-Nelson, a music teacher at Kenmare Elementary School;
- Ashley Nudell, a family and consumer science teacher at Lisbon High School; and
- Kayla Tatro, who teaches English, math, science, music and technology at Roosevelt Public School in Carson.
Finalists are interviewed each year by an eight-member screen committee that includes a representative of ND United. The 2025 ND Teacher of the Year will be announced officially at a ceremony on Friday, Sept. 27, starting at 1 p.m. CDT.
As we get ready for the announcement ceremony, we have compiled these short bios of all four finalists. Stay tuned to our News & Media Center for in-depth coverage of the announcement ceremony and Member Spotlights of this year’s honorees.
Macie Harris-Nelson
Macie is a music educator at Kenmare Public Schools in rural Kenmare and is a member and Secretary of the Kenmare Education Association. She serves students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
Harris-Nelson graduated from the University of Mary in Bismarck with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education in 2014. Harris-Nelson is pursuing a Master’s in School Counseling through the University of Mary.
Harris-Nelson served as a classroom teacher in Bismarck, North Dakota, for six years and served in various educational roles in Kenmare, North Dakota, such as physical education, computer science, mentoring, and music. Harris-Nelson has served on various educational committees and teams in Bismarck and Kenmare. She was recently selected for the Excellence in Holistic Education award during Teacher Appreciation Week in May 2024. One of Harris-Nelson’s biggest accomplishments was being the assistant Century High School girls’ golf coach in Bismarck for six years and part of three state championship teams.
Harris-Nelson said she takes a holistic approach to teaching music education. Her ability to create powerful relationships helps create a positive culture in her classroom setting where all students feel empowered, safe and included. Her initiative is to involve her students in social-emotional learning through music education and develop interpersonal skills to become successful lifelong learners.
Kendall Bergrud
Kendall Bergrud teaches seventh-grade mathematics, AVID and Peer to Peer at Wachter Middle School in Bismarck and is a member and has served as a Building Rep of the Bismarck Education Association. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Dickinson State University in Elementary Education and a Master’s of Science in Educational Leadership from the University of Mary in Bismarck.
Bergrud began his career as a fourth- and fifth-grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School in 2013. He has been an active member of the multi-tiered systems of support at Wachter Middle School as well as other committees to support student achievement. Bergrud said he not only supports students in the classroom academically, but supports students on the court as well coaching athletes in basketball and volleyball.
He was named the Bismarck Chamber of Commerce teacher of the year in elementary education in 2018, as well as outstanding cooperative teacher from Dickinson State University for the fall semester of 2021.
Bergrud said he believes in promoting strong relationships with his students by creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment where all students feel valued and empowered to be successful in their learning. He looks to promote deep conceptual understanding in his classroom by designing lessons incorporating hands-on activities and collaborative learning experiences. Through the variety of lessons throughout the school year, his goal is to inspire students to become lifelong learners.
Ashley Nudell
Ashely Nudell has taught for six years at Lisbon Public Schools located in Lisbon. Nudell teaches freshman through senior Family and Consumer Science (FCS) education and is a member and has served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Lisbon Education Association.
Nuddell earned her Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Science Education from North Dakota State University in 2019. Additionally, she earned her Master of Education degree in Family and Consumer Science from NDSU in 2023. Nudell teaches a variety of FCS courses including child development, food and nutrition, independent living, and cultures and cuisines.
Nudell’s FCS program was recognized in 2023 by being awarded the North Dakota Career and Technical Education Director’s Award for Excellence in FCS education. She also earned the FCS Young Educator award and FCCLA Advisor of The Year award in 2022. Nudell currently serves on the North Dakota Association for Family and Consumer Science Educators (NDATFACS) executive council and the NDSU School of Education Advisory Council.
Within the classroom, Nudell said she aims to empower students with practical skills and knowledge essential for lifelong success. She does this by fostering a supportive and inclusive classroom environment, that encourages creativity and collaboration. Her goal is to equip students with the tools needed to make informed decisions about health, finances and relationships, and resilient individuals prepared for the future.
Kayla Tatro
Kayla Tatro has taught for eight years and is a middle school teacher at Roosevelt Public School in Carson. Tatro is a member of the Carson Education Association and also serves as their local President. She teaches English for grades five through eight, grades seven through eight science and math, and fifth- and sixth-grade music and technology. Tatro has previously taught sixth grade and grades five through eight social studies.
Tatro graduated from Minot State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with concentrations in reading and middle school English in 2016 and a Master of Education with a concentration in English in 2020.
Tatro said that she is passionate about providing a high-quality education to rural students. She strives to create a classroom environment where all students feel valued, supported, and encouraged. Tatro embraces leadership within her school by being on the school improvement committee, coordinating the school and county spelling bees, and serving as a mentor for a first-year teacher. Tatro is also the 2024 Grant County Teacher of the Year.
