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LAGUNA BLANCA SCHOOL

At this year’s Middle School Closing Ceremony, the 
annual Faculty Excellence Award was presented to 
Laguna’s beloved Middle School English teacher 
Carol Nordgaarden. 

The Faculty Excellence Award is the most 

distinguished honor given by Laguna Blanca School 
to a member of the faculty. Each year, a committee
comprised of several faculty members, previous

award winners, and one 
administrator chooses the 
instructor they feel
best embodies faculty 
excellence. Selection is 
based on a wide range 
of qualities, including 
contributions to the school, 
commitment to creating 
interdisciplinary

opportunities, long-term benefit to students, and 
setting a good example for others.

 As Head of Middle School Durward Brandis 

said in his remarks, “Carol is the definition of 
professionalism and always represents the 

school well.” He also shared that Laguna alumni 
consistently say the same thing over and over 
again, “Carol Nordgaarden taught me how to 
write.” Colleague and former student Blake 
Dorfman ’02 explains, “Carol is here before 6 a.m. 
every morning, grading essays with the care of a 
surgeon. It is no surprise that Laguna graduates 
know how to write papers better than most. One 
year with Carol is enough to set grammar issues 
straight and make the organization of ideas on 
paper a fluid process. Her meticulous grading can
draw groans from students while they are in her 
class, but after leaving it they realize what a gift 
they have been given.”
 

Thanks to a generous endowment established 

by alumni parents Marilyn and Steven Gutsche, 
the award recipient receives a cash stipend and an 
additional $3,000 education stipend that can be
used for travel, workshops, conferences, teaching 
materials, and equipment.
  Congratulations, Carol! Thank you for working 
tirelessly to ensure your students reach their full 
potential as writers. 

“Carol is here 
before 6 a.m. 
every morning, 
grading essays 
with the care of a 
surgeon.”

LAGUNA’S 2014 FACULTy exCeLLeNCe

AWARD WINNER: CAROL NORDGAARDEN 

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9/5/14   5:20 PM