Terese "Mrs B" Bjornstad

Why are you running for office?

For 32 years, I loved, taught, and valued my students. I believe a high quality free public education provides the opportunity for ALL children to chase their dreams. Those values and beliefs motivated me to come out of retirement in 2022 and serve the children and families of Red Wing as a school board member. I know that advocacy doesn’t stop at the board table. I serve as a delegate at our MSBA Delegate Assembly so RWPS has a voice in setting our legislative agenda at the State Capitol. I attend the annual MSBA Advocacy Day at the Capitol to meet with our representatives and let them know how decisions they make impact our school community. I understand that in order to serve a community I need to know the people I serve. Attending school and community events is a priority so I can meet the people I serve. From the Flight Paths Capstone presentations to the High School Veterans Day Program to our many community celebrations, I am present.

What experiences have prepared you to serve effectively in this role?

I am a workhorse not a show pony. I earned two awards from Minnesota School Board Association (MSBA) during my first term to honor my commitment to being a high functioning board member. In 2023, I earned the Leadership Award for completing all four Leadership Training phases in the first year of my term. (Humble brag- I jumped on the opportunity to get the first two done BEFORE I took office.) In 2026, I earned the Directors Award for completing 200 hours of continuing education for board members. I choose to participate in bi-monthly Zoom networking opportunities where board members from all over Minnesota meet to share concerns and solutions. While my experience as a teacher gives me an important perspective, I understand that my role as a board member is different from that of a teacher. School finance is complicated. Policy making is complicated. Knowing what good governance looks like is important. I continue to learn every day.

What are your top three priorities if elected?

My top priorities are:

*Meet the needs of our diverse learners to improve students achievement.

*Attract and retain quality staff in ALL areas.

*Make fiscally responsible decisions that maintain reasonable class sizes and programs that make our district unique.

How do plan to address your top priorities?

Our world is rapidly changing. In order to prepare our students for the future, board members must support initiatives that meet those changing needs. What does that mean? The district and school board must constantly assess how we use the money we have to provide the opportunities our students and families need. We are currently looking at expanding our early childhood and early childhood family education opportunities to improve school readiness.This led the board to study all of our facilities and how they could be used more effectively to improve student success. We have great staff and leadership in our district. As a board member, I need to listen to their expertise and be open-minded about proposed changes. It's also my job to ask hard questions and navigate tough conversations so staff and students have what they need to be successful. RWPS is fortunate to partner with many local nonprofit organizations that provide funding for additional educational opportunities for our students. I support district/community partnerships that provide us with funding and staff for those programs. Our Director of Teaching and Learning works very hard to support these partnerships as well as find statewide grants that provide exciting, unique learning experiences for our students. These partnerships and grants make Red Wing a destination district. They also help us make the most of the funding we receive from the state. It helps us attract staff because they want to be a part of our district. Families enroll or re-enroll their children because they want them to have these opportunities. Board support is part of sustaining these on-going partnerships.2. This goal would require looking at what is happening in the schools that result in students  not feeling safe or belonging and ensuring appropriate actions are taken to meet the needs of children. Student surveys could be developed to get at the heart of what they feel and want changed.

3. Professional development to empower teachers to use the natural world on school grounds to teach what they are already teaching. I've provided this type of professional development in the past and would be happy to provide PD in the district.

What do you believe is the greatest challenge facing the people you hope to represent?

We are all living in an affordability crisis that impacts food, clothing, housing, and healthcare. These same affordability issues impact our school community as well.

Public service requires collaboration. How would you work with individuals who hold different viewpoints?

As a teacher, I built a supportive community of learners within my classroom. For 32 years, I took a group of unique individuals and created an environment that made a safe space for everyone to speak and be seen. I use that skill set to foster positive relationships and respectful discourse at the board table. In 2025, I welcomed and encouraged our new board members with an open heart. My board teammates know I am there to listen and collaborate because if we fail as a board team, we fail the students. Failing our students is not an option!

How will you communicate with and remain accessible to your constituents? 

My email and phone number are on the district web page. I am also out and about at school and community events. If you see me around town, don't be afraid to say hi. I would like to remind everyone that our board meetings are live streamed. You can join the live stream on the school board page at rwps.org The workshop and all other meetings are posted on our Red Wing Public Schools Youtube Channel. The workshop is the second Tuesday and the regular meeting is the 4th Tuesday. Come join us in room J110. Enter through door 10 and follow the signs.

At the end of your term, what accomplishments would define success?

Last year we adopted a 5 year strategic plan that included goals for student achievement. I would like to remain on the board so I can support our staff in helping our students reach those goals.

Tell voters something about yourself outside of politics.

I am a theater kid at heart. Some of you may recognize me from my years of participation in Phoenix Theatre productions at the Sheldon. I also love to read and loved instilling that love of reading in my fifth and sixth grade students. Nothing made me happier than finding the book or author that turned my non-readers into excited readers. When I refer to "my kids," I am referring to my students and my own children. I am so very proud of all of them! According to my grandchildren, being their Grandma is my most important job. All four of my grandchildren live in Red Wing, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be involved in their daily lives. Grandma life is the best life!