Resurrection School recognizes Mrs. Laura Biktjorn, 8th Grade ELA and Religion
Resurrection School is proud to recognize Laura Biktjorn as an outstanding teacher who lives true to her faith and her role as a Catholic School teacher by inspiring young minds and hearts every day.
Mrs. Biktjorn is known for holding her students to a high standard, and she always makes sure to instill in them the confidence to reach it. She has been thanked by parents and students throughout the years for the unmatched level of support, preparation, and determination that she provides when helping her students learn and grow.
"I care about them," Mrs. Biktjorn says about her students. "I want my class to be a place they feel comfortable enough to confide in me when they have issues with school or elsewhere, and believe me - they do."
It's in this safe and nurturing environment she is able to build trust and relationships with her students to teach them to push themselves to their own potential. "I give them every tool in my arsenal to help them on their way," she says. "It's up to them to use the tools or let them collect dust."
As years pass, Mrs. Biktjorn admits that students call on her for guidance even after they graduate. She hears from her former students often. She receives emails with high school essays attached, seeking her edits or advice, and will later get thank you notes for the "A" they received on the assignment. Former students email her their high school report card to share how they did, and some will just stop on by to say “hi!” or ask a question about ELA or Religion.
“The kids know that basically, once your teacher, always your friend.” Mrs. Biktjorn says. “They know that even after they leave here, they can always reach out to me for any reason and I will always reply.”
Mrs. Biktjorn is the 8th Grade English Language Arts teacher, as well as the 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Religion teacher here at Resurrection, but her impact on her students and community is not just limited to within the classroom. Mrs. B encourages her students to get involved in multiple service projects each year, food drives for local food pantries, POTS Thanksgiving Meal, funds and toys for POTS for Christmas presents for children in need and Midnight Run to name a few.
This year, for the POTS Thanksgiving meal, rather than just collect money or a food item from each child to donate, Mrs B offered her students the opportunity to really get involved. Starting in September, students started pooling their money to spend on whatever was needed. When the POTS organizers sent out a list of needs for the dinner, Middle School students teamed up and chose what they wanted to donate. Mrs. B went out and purchased whatever they chose.
But,the stewardship project didn’t end there. Several students Middle Schoool students spent a lunch period with a few moms before Thanksgiving cooking turkeys to add to the donation list. Mrs B, then stayed after school with students just before Thanksgiving and they made 20 pumpkin pies, completely from scratch, as well as 100 turkey sugar cookies and 100 chocolate turkey lollipops. When the pies were baking, the students bagged and ribboned each cookie individually, ready for delivery on the P.O.T.S. truck the next day.
“I always tell the students that service to others is between themselves and God. It’s not something meant to be lauded by others. I have to admit, I was overwhelmed with their generosity of their time, money, and energy.” says Mrs. B.
Her love for those in need doesn't stop at humans, it includes animals as well! Each year she organizes a blanket, toy, and food drive to benefit the local animal shelters. Her classroom will be so filled with donations and collections for the shelters that we joke that it looks like a Petco!
Perhaps Mrs. Biktjorn’s greatest legacy as a Catholic School teacher over the past 30 years is her ability to instill the Gospel beyond the walls of the classroom. She has inspired and guided countless students to learn and live by the way of God through acts of service, faith, and integrity.
'Right, wrong, or indifferent, I believe that Religion is the most important class these kids take," she says. "We always look at the Math, English, etc., but truth be told, many of these students will choose careers that won't include the Science, Writing, or even Math. However, their faith, moral character, and integrity is something that will define them every day of their lives. I feel that building on that now with earnest and conviction will instill it in them for the long haul."