One Year of Impact: The Nibbe School of Teaching & Learning

In October 2025, Minnesota State Moorhead celebrated a historic milestone: the opening of the Nibbe School of Teaching & Learning, made possible by the $5.5 million gift from the Nibbe Family Foundation. One year later, that investment is already shaping the future of education by strengthening Moorhead's legacy as a leader in teacher preparation, fueling student success, and celebrating outstanding educators. 

A Legacy in Teacher Preparation 

Minnesota State Moorhead was founded as a State Teacher’s College –– preparing exceptional educators has always been at the heart of its mission. The creation of the Nibbe School of Teaching & Learning builds on that foundation while positioning the university to meet the evolving needs of today’s classrooms. 

For the Nibbe family, the gift is deeply personal. Their connection to Moorhead spans three generations, with many family members dedicating their lives to education. 

“Our family believes in the power of education, and educators, to change lives. By supporting students at Moorhead, we hope to inspire more young people to pursue teaching careers and ensure that schools in our region have access to highly qualified educators,” said Nibbe Family Foundation CEO Dawn Guse (social studies education, ‘88). 

By investing in future educators, the Nibbe family is investing in every profession and every community those teachers will go on to serve. 

Nibbe Gift Transforms School of Teaching & Learning 

Transforming the Student Experience 

The impact on students is clear. The Nibbe gift expands scholarships, funds hands-on learning opportunities, and connects students to professional experiences beyond the classroom. 

For students like Averie Burmeister (early childhood education, ‘26), those opportunities are transformative. Through Nibbe support, she attended the Annual Reading Leadership Conference in Chicago, an experience that deepened her understanding of literacy instruction and strengthened her confidence as a future educator. 

“I will forever be thankful to the Nibbe family for giving me the gift of furthering my education and serving young children better,” Averie said. 

Faculty are seeing that impact firsthand. Dr. Erin Gillett, professor of early childhood education, had students attend a national conference they wouldn’t otherwise have had the opportunity to go to. 

“Experiences like this change the trajectory of a young educator,” she said. “They step into their first jobs already feeling connected, supported, and part of the profession.” 

The Profession That Makes All Others Possible 

That sense of connection was on full display in December, when the Nibbe School of Teaching & Learning celebrated its first graduating cohort under its new name. Surrounded by family, faculty, and community partners, graduates marked not only a personal milestone, but the beginning of a new chapter for Moorhead’s education programs. 

Nibbe School of Teaching & Learning celebrates first graduation cohort 

Honoring Teaching Innovation 

The Nibbe Family Foundation’s impact extends beyond students to educators already making a difference in the field. A key element of the gift is the Nibbe Innovation Award, which recognizes teachers who are advancing new ideas and approaches to learning. 

In April, Lindsay Perlenfein (elementary education, '02) was recognized as the first recipient of the award. A second-grade teacher at Kennedy Elementary School in Fargo, she is known for her innovative teaching practices, thoughtful integration of technology, and strong partnerships with families. 

Her work became especially impactful during and after the shift to distance learning, as she adapted instruction to meet students’ evolving needs while continuing to foster confidence, growth, and connection 

“I try to build a positive learning community for each and every student who steps inside my classroom,” she said. 

Each year, students, educators, and community members are invited to submit nominations for an educator they believe exemplifies innovation in education.  

Local elementary educator honored with Nibbe Innovation Award 

What’s next for the Nibbe School of Teaching & Learning 

The Nibbe School of Teaching & Learning has already begun to transform how Minnesota State Moorhead prepares and supports educators. Through scholarships, experiential learning, and teacher recognition, the program is equipping future teachers with the tools to be leaders in their classrooms and communities. 

As the school grows, its mission continues to honor the legacy of teaching while advancing the profession for the next generation. 

Because when you invest in teachers, you invest in us all.