Julie Urness is Roseau's Teacher of the Year

Meet the Mister Rogers of elementary school teachers, only it's Mrs. Urness, a dedicated professional who has a special knack for exciting kids about reading, writing, and arithmetic.

Great teachers know how to get their students excited about learning without having to whack them with a thick ruler across their knuckles.

Inside Julie's third grade classroom, her 22 students are engaged with their hands shooting up in the air excitedly, ready to be called upon.

"Hey, kids, would you like to write a sentence or two about Mrs. Urness, Roseau's Teacher of the Year?" asked a visitor a week ago.

Fi...