Moorhead Area Public Schools superintendent Dr. Brandon Lunak made an unannounced stop at Dorothy Dodds Elementary school’s kindergarten neighborhood to present teacher Lexie Wallace with the Spud Spirit Award for May 2025. Ms. Wallace is in her sixth year with the district.
Once again shadowed by Horizon Middle School West sixth grader Ewan Maii—a Dorothy Dodds alum—Dr. Lunak gathered Wallace’s kindergarten class together to confer the monthly honor. He noted that Lexie had the rare distinction of earning multiple parent nominations in the same semester. The superintendent told her that her nominators described her as kind, patient, fun, easygoing and as someone who goes above and beyond for her students and their families. The students applauded in agreement.
Dr. Lunak then shared the story from one of her nominators, whose son was experiencing unexpected issues transitioning from preschool to kindergarten. The nominator said Lexie had a winning strategy: “Ms. Wallace came up with a ‘smile reward’ system that worked magically. He wanted to keep earning the rewards even after the issues stopped!”
One young student was so moved by the stories of Ms. Wallace’s care that she exclaimed “that’s beautiful!” At the end of the presentation, the kindergarten class showed their excitement for their teacher with a spontaneous cheer of “1… 2… 3… hooray!”
Lexie’s care and effort on behalf of her students and their families set a fine example for the district’s mission to develop the maximum potential of every student to thrive in a changing world.
The Spud Spirit Award is a recognition program that honors MAPS staff who live by the district mission to develop the maximum potential of every learner to thrive in a changing world and showcase our Spud Spirit statements:
Students, staff, parents, families, and the Moorhead community
Passionate, engaged, innovative, and growing in safe environments
Unique, worthy, respectful, and relationship-based
Diversity enriches our school and community
Stewards of the public’s trust in effective and efficient operations
Spud Spirit Award nominations are made by staff, student families and community members. Nominations are open at the beginning of each semester during the school year.