Pictured from left: Gov. Doug Burgum, 2025 North Dakota Teacher of the Year Kendall Bergrud, and State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler.
Kendall Bergrud has taught for 12 years and currently teaches 7th-grade math, AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), and Peer-to-Peer at Wachter Middle School in Bismarck, North Dakota. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Dickinson State University in Dickinson, North Dakota, and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota.
Bergurd has worked in a variety of roles throughout his career, including teaching 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th through 8th-grade math. He has been an active member of the multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) at Wachter Middle School, as well as other committees to support student achievement. Bergrud not only supports students academically in the classroom but also supports students on the court, coaching athletes in basketball and volleyball.
Bergrud was named the 2025 North Dakota Teacher of the Year, 2024 Burleigh County Teacher of the Year, 2021 Dickinson State University Outstanding Cooperative Teacher (fall semester), and 2018 Bismarck Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year in Elementary Education. Bergrud believes in promoting strong relationships with his students by creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment where all students feel valued and empowered to be successful in their learning. He looks to promote deep conceptual understanding in his classroom by designing lessons incorporating hands-on activities and collaborative learning experiences. Through the variety of lessons throughout the school year, his goal is to inspire students to become lifelong learners.