Educator Awards Spotlight: Randi Krieg

Randi Krieg is the ESD 105 Regional Teacher of the Year and is a 7th & 8th Grade Agriscience Teacher at Goldendale Middle School in Goldendale School District

We’re sharing the wisdom of our incredible regional and state Teachers and Classified School Employees of the Year, in their own words. Find more on our Spotlight page.

What advice would you give someone who is just beginning their career in education?

It’s all about relationships! If you don’t show students that you care about them, they won’t care about what you want to teach them. Students will do amazing things for you and their future, if you take the time to get to know them. Not only should you use their interests to help teach your content, but you should use their interests to help them on their path to their future. Our content knowledge, time investment, and positive influence can be the difference in their ability to secure their own successful future.

What one change in education are you most excited for when we reach our post-COVID reality?

In post-COVID, I am most excited about traveling with my students. In a typical year, I am traveling with my students at least twice a month for competitions, post-secondary tours, industry trips and other events. Over50 of my students haven’t been able to attend State or National FFA Convention. Students that worked hard practicing for their competitions or even that were going to receive recognition for awards that they had been working towards since their 7th grade year. I take pride in my ability to provide my students experiences that for some of them may be once in a lifetime.

What was something that surprised you about working in education?

My biggest surprise in education was that not everyone has the same measure of success. I grew up in a family of educators, was a top student, and personally loved learning. When I started teaching, my expectations of my students were very high and blanketed. I have learned that every student’s background, abilities and interests help to govern their own path to success. Don’t get me wrong, I still have high expectations for my students. But, my expectations involve the students, their parents and other stakeholders to ensure each student has their own individualized success measures.

Describe your perfect day at work.

The day starts with coaching students in a leadership contest. Afterwards, I welcome students into my classroom and the school. I start the morning with active 7th graders in science, so we’d be doing a lab or activity. For lunch, I eat and meet with my FFA officers. Then, I teach my elective in which we love doing a food lab or planting in the greenhouse. Last is ag leadership. My students love to work on projects helping others and mentoring younger students. I end my day with another practice, an event or serving with students at the soup kitchen.

When did you decide to work in education and what sustains you professionally?

I officially decided to become an agricultural teacher in jr. high. My dad was an agriculture teacher, and he would take me to do home visits and to FFA events. I fell in love with the many parts of his job, and I admired how his students held him in high regard. Today, the diversity of my job and the impact I make on my students, community and profession are what keep me going. I get to spend lots of time with students outside of school, which helps me to develop deeper relationships and assist them in achieving their goals.

Learn more about the Teacher and Classified School Employees of the Year on the Educator Awards website.