History Instructor Dr. Anita Gaul Named 2026 Minnesota State Educator of the Year

Minnesota West is celebrating the achievement of Dr. Anita Gaul, a History instructor, who has received the 2026 Minnesota State Board of Trustees Educator of the Year Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Dr. Gaul was nominated by Minnesota West in November 2025. Final award recipients were announced in February 2026, with Gaul recognized as one of three educators statewide selected from across the Minnesota State college system. The award honors outstanding teaching, dedication to students, and service to the mission of Minnesota State.

Dr. Gaul has earned multiple Honorable Mention Instructor recognitions during her time at Minnesota West. Since joining the college as a full-time faculty member in 2018, she has become known for her engaging teaching style and thoughtful approach to instruction.

Equity and inclusion are central to Dr. Gaul’s work in the classroom. After completing a Faculty Learning Community focused on equity in 2022, she introduced an equity rubric into her U.S. History courses. Student feedback consistently reflects the welcoming and supportive environment she creates. Her classes include group debates, discussion-based lectures, and writing-focused assignments that emphasize both academic rigor and student growth.

Her teaching has also been recognized beyond campus. In a May 2023 Worthington Globe article, a former student named Dr. Gaul as her favorite instructor, praising her “energetic presentation and interactive, discussion-oriented teaching style.”

Minnesota West President Dr. Terry Gaalswyk said Dr. Gaul brings history to life in memorable ways.

“Dr. Gaul’s teaching philosophy makes ‘history come alive,’” Gaalswyk said. “Frequently, Anita arrives dressed in era-specific clothing, pushing a cart filled with self-prepared foods for her students to experience. She transforms the classroom into a space of connection and curiosity.”

Gaalswyk added that her teaching extends beyond historical content.

“She cultivates the behaviors democracy depends on: informed reasoning, respect, and civic responsibility,” he said. “Her students understand why democratic self-government relies on citizens who study, question, listen, and engage.”

Dr. Gaul’s service reaches well beyond the classroom. In 2024, she received the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) Medallion Award, presented by Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon. The award recognized her service as Vice-Chair of the State Emblems Redesign Commission, a legislatively appointed group responsible for redesigning Minnesota’s state seal and flag.

She is also a respected historian whose work helps southwest Minnesota better understand its past. Through scholarship, public presentations, and community service, Dr. Gaul has contributed to conversations about Native American boarding schools, pioneer women, and rural racial dynamics, helping preserve and share the region’s history.

Colleagues describe Dr. Gaul as a trusted and thoughtful leader. She is known for her willingness to tackle difficult topics with clarity and respect, and for supporting peers through mentoring and committee work.

“Anita brings seriousness to complex issues without making others feel dismissed,” Gaalswyk said. “Her dedication to students and civic life is evident in everything she does.”

Dr. Gaul said learning of her nomination in November was meaningful.

“I was pleased that my colleagues and the college administration appreciated my passion for teaching,” she said. “It’s gratifying to be recognized for your work.”

When she learned earlier this year that she was one of three recipients statewide, she said the news came as a surprise.

“I was surprised, but also thrilled,” Gaul said. “It was hard keeping it quiet, especially when colleagues asked if I’d heard anything.”

Dr. Gaul began teaching at Minnesota West in 2018, after nine years as an adjunct instructor at Southwest Minnesota State University and earlier work as a teaching assistant at the University of Iowa while earning her doctorate.

“I wanted a full-time position where I could fully invest in students,” she said. “I didn’t expect to get the job, so when I got the call, I almost thought it was a prank.”

Reflecting on the recognition she has received in recent years, Dr. Gaul said she remains grateful for a career built around a subject she loves.

“I get to think about, talk about, read about, and write about history every day,” she said. “Being recognized for that passion is incredibly meaningful.”

Dr. Gaul hopes the award reflects the difference she strives to make in the classroom and beyond.

“My goal has always been to make history come alive,” she said. “If this recognition shows that I’ve helped people think more deeply about the past, then I feel I’ve done my job.”

College leaders say Dr. Gaul’s work reflects the purpose of the Educator of the Year Award, recognizing educators who inspire students, contribute to their communities, and strengthen civic understanding through education.

Dr. Gaul will be honored at an in-person luncheon with the Minnesota State Board of Trustees on April 22, 2026.