MSUM education alumnus earns national honor
Loren Kersting, who received his bachelor’s degree in elementary education (’75) and a master’s degree in educational administration – ed leadership (’84) was named North Dakota’s 2011 National Distinguished Principal. Read the INFORUM’s full story below.
South Elementary’s Kersting named National Distinguished Principal
By: Helmut Schmidt, INFORUM
Some hugs each day can keep retirement away.
Just ask Loren Kersting.
The principal of West Fargo’s South Elementary School says he thrives on the high-fives and hugs he gets from his students.
And he got an extra big hug on Monday when students and staff put on a surprise pep fest to honor him for being named North Dakota’s 2011 National Distinguished Principal.
With singing, cheering, foot stomping and a small sea of Kersting-on-a-stick photos waving in the school gym, the students thanked the man who is the face of South.
“This is overwhelming,” Kersting told the crowd, pausing to keep from tearing up. “It’s a happy thing. … I’m just overwhelmed. If you see my tears coming out, that’s a good thing. It’s OK.”
While the recognition from his peers was welcome, he called the celebration by students and staff “the most important thing I have ever received, being recognized and surrounded by the people I care about in my life.”
Kersting said family is first for him, but the students are a close No. 2.
“You kids make my day,” he said. “Kids, I appreciated those hugs. The day I retire, I’ll have to figure out how to get those hugs. You, being here, has absolutely made my year.”
The feeling was mutual for many in the audience, including a knot of fourth-graders.
“He’s wonderful. And he’s caring for other people,” said Allison Jacobson.
“He’s nice, respectful, caring,” added Fatuma Mahad.
Tanner Laughlin said, “He helps people with a lot of stuff.”
And Parker Breidenbach summed it up by calling Kersting “a great principal.”
Kersting was presented the award last week during the North Dakota Association of Elementary School Principals mid-winter conference in Dickinson. He is now in the hunt for the national honor.
Kersting, 58, started in education as a teacher at West Fargo’s Eastwood Elementary School in 1975.
In 1981, he started working as an elementary principal for the Fargo Catholic Schools Network. In 1986, he became assistant principal for West Fargo Middle School, then took the post at South in 1992.
Kersting could have retired a couple years ago, but said he’ll stick around until he’s at least 62.
“I don’t think there’s a better job in education than elementary principal,” he said. “You just look at the enthusiasm of those kids. They’re just pumped.”