 The president's budget proposal eliminates public media funding. Learn how you can help at lptv.org slash action. A science teacher at Brainerd High School today was honored as the Brainerd Public Schools Teacher of the Year. But as Clayton Castle tells us, Nicole Harmer's impact goes far beyond the classroom. It was a celebratory day at Brainerd High School today as one of its own was named the 2017 Brainerd Public Schools Teacher of the Year. Nicole Harmer, a science teacher at the school, was bestowed the honor on Thursday in a surprise announcement. It's an honor that I've looked at other people who've won the award in the past and just saw them as role models. So to be considered part of that group is very exciting and honored to be able to be considered a teacher of the year. Harmer always knew she wanted to be of service to people and originally considered the medical field. But through some other experiences I realized that I really love this love of learning, this lifelong learning. And so to inspire people through education was a way that I knew I could have an impact that was positive towards their future. Harmer introduced a new class to the school this year, AP Seminar, which according to the AP website is an introduction to conducting independent analysis of complex ideas across various disciplines. And what makes this all special for Harmer is that she's doing it all at her alma mater. She's a 1991 graduate of Brainerd High. This is somewhere where I've always wanted to give back to my community and so to be a student who benefited from what they offered here at Brainerd High School, I know that that's what's given me success for a long time. And then to be considered that I might be doing some of those same types of things for students and it's with such an elite staff that's here. It's just incredible to think that my school supports me, not even as a student, but even as a teacher. With students, staff, and school and district administration on hand, it is evident that Harmer's impact goes beyond the classroom and the students. Ms. Harmer brings a great deal to Brainerd High School. She has a tremendous passion for teaching and also for the area of science. So she's been pretty instrumental in the advances and any new things that we're bringing in the area of say chemistry and biology. Reporting in Brainerd Clayton Castle, Lakeland News. Harmer was nominated for the award by two Brainerd High School students and was selected from among 35 candidates. Certainly seems very deserving, some good science teachers there in the Brainerd Brainerd School District, yeah. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.