‘I’m just glad she’s in our building:’ North Dakota trade teacher wins surprise $50,000 check

WYNDMERE, N.D. — For Wyndmere Agriculture Mechanics Teacher Desi Severance, it seemed like just another Tuesday on Oct. 3 at Wyndmere Public School, starting the day with a morning assembly.

Little did she know a curve ball was coming. Hushed into a quiet room, tip-toeing through empty halls, staff at Wyndmere High were on a top-secret mission. They entered midway through the assembly, with a surprise in hand. A big one.

Severance was named as a winner of the 2023 Harbor Freight Tools For Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence. She’s just one of 25 winners in the country. She was presented with a $50,000 check in a surprise announcement. She received $15,000, with the rest for the Southeast Region Career and Technology Center program.

“No, they lied to me for like three days,” Severance joked when asked if she had any idea what was coming.

Colleagues say Severance is an inspiration to both the students and faculty. They say she has an infectious passion for agriculture education.

“I may be biased, but I think the accolades are showing,” said principal Scott Strenge. “I think she’s the best ag teacher in the state.”

It’s hard for them to imagine a worthier candidate.

“Desi’s got a heart of gold,” said Southeast Region Career and Technology Center director Dan Spellerberg. “She will do everything, everything in her ability to make sure that the students have everything that they need that they’re successful.”

For Severance, the best part of it all is sharing the moment with her family and hundreds of members of her chosen family. The students of Wyndmere High.

“I’ve always prided my department on being a safe place for kids, (and) on being a place where they can speak freely,” she said. “I have always said if I’m not a champion for kids, I shouldn’t be in education. So I guess I’m in the right place.”

She was more excited about how the money will help her program than what she’ll do with her own share.

What was crystal clear is that’s right on brand for her.

“She’s just a trendsetter,” Strenge said. “I’m just so proud of her as a teacher. I’m just glad she’s in our building. She’s an epitome for what they’re looking for in this program.”

Severance said she’s excited to get some new welding curtains and a few new welders for her classes.

As for her share? She has no idea yet, although she says a vacation sounds nice.

Mike McGurran has been a reporter and anchor at WDAY-TV since 2021.