“My classroom is my happy place!” SAVHS Teacher Nominated for 2025 Minnesota Teacher of the Year

When Ms. Kronback found out she had been nominated for Minnesota Teacher of the Year, her reaction was simple: total shock!

"One hundred percent out of the blue," she said. "It means even more that the nomination came from a student."

For Ms. Kronback, teaching is not just about essays, annotations, or analyzing literature. It's about preparing students for life beyond high school. 

"One of my biggest priorities as a high school teacher is getting them ready for the world beyond academics. How to be a decent human being once they leave the building," she explained. That personal connection with her students is what keeps her coming back day after day. "It’s fun to see them grow and become their own people. Getting to see their successes and even their failures is part of what makes this job so rewarding."

Her classroom is a place where students are challenged to think critically but also encouraged to explore their strengths. Traditional papers and tests aren’t the only ways students show what they’ve learned.

"They’ll read a short story and then do an art project. I want kids who struggle with essays to feel just as successful as those who thrive with writing. You have to be flexible and think outside the box so all kids feel like they are learning new skills."

That adaptability has been especially important in the age of smartphones and constant online distractions. "The biggest change over the years has been social media, and it’s definitely not for the better," she said. Whenever possible, she designs lessons that don’t require devices. But when technology is necessary, she focuses on media literacy and how to navigate the internet wisely. "It’s not all bad though. The kids love it when they get to teach me something new about technology."

Relationships are at the heart of her teaching. Some students confide in her about their lives, while others keep conversations strictly academic. She respects both. One moment that stands out was when a senior student rushed to her classroom to share college acceptance news, only to find Ms. Kronback wasn’t there, knowing students care about updating her on their lives is one awesome part of the job. Another parent once thanked her for being their child’s school mom. "Sometimes kids just need someone to talk to who isn’t their parent," she said.

Growing up in a bilingual household, Ms. Kronback earned degrees in English and French from Concordia College in Moorhead. Her advisor encouraged her to pursue both teaching licenses, a decision she now calls invaluable. After student teaching and working as a long-term sub at Maple Grove High School, she found her place at St. Anthony Village High School. "My classroom is my happy place," she said with a laugh.

As the Teacher of the Year process moves forward, she’s already proud of what the nomination represents. "It’s the first time a teacher from SAVHS has moved on to the candidate stage," she explained. Out of 142 candidates, semifinalists will be announced in late February.

Whether she wins Minnesota Teacher of the Year or not, Ms. Kronback is focused on what she always has been: her students. "If I don’t have fun, the kids won’t. They can sense it. Even if I’m not the biggest fan of the author we’re reading, I’m going to sell it like it’s the best literature I’ve ever read. That’s the life of a teacher, you just adapt. Class by class. Hour by hour. Chapter by chapter."