“My roots are here,” explains Albrandt who was born six miles up I-76 in Atwood.  “I moved to Merino when I was a sixth grader.  I graduated from Merino and married my Junior High sweet heart.”

After school, she decided to stay in the community and has been teaching ever since.  “I enjoy the community.  It’s a great place to live with lots of great people.”

For nearly three decades she has been teaching 3rd grade at the town’s school.  Over the years she’s had many pupils—including the current principal of the school. “A big reason I became a teacher is because of the experience I had with teachers like Ms. Albrandt,” said Principal Kyle Stumpf.

Even after 27 years of teaching, Ms. Albrandt’s focus is the same, cultivating a love of learning by teaching lessons that have a real-life impact and are fun.  “I believe the learning should be fun.  It’s something kids should enjoy enough to become life-long learners,” Albrandt said.

Please join 9NEWS and CollegeInvest in congratulating Paula Albrandt, the May 2006 9Teacher Who Cares.  Her story will air on Thursday May 10th during the 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. newscasts and again on Saturday May 12th during 9NEWS Saturday morning and 9NEWS at 5 p.m.  Albrandt’s story is also streamed at www.9news.com/9twc