Kristi Reinke is a middle school social studies teacher that is inspired to enhance professional learning through giving her students classroom experiences in and out of her classroom. She is a 16 year veteran teacher (7 years in special education and 9 years in general education), with 2 years prior experience working in the school system as an education support professional (working with at-risk students). She has spent 17 of her 18 educator years at Jim Hill Middle School in Minot, ND. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice, a Bachelor of Science in Education-Social Sciences/History and a Master’s Degree in Special Education-Strategist (supporting students who have learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities and autism, and emotional/behavioral disabilities). Kristi is currently the 2021 North Dakota Teacher of the Year.