Teacher Appreciation Week feature: Steph Sorbel

Steph Sorbel, fifth-grade teacher at Cedar Island Elementary, has spent much of her life preparing for the classroom. She traces her interest in education back to childhood, when she organized makeshift lessons for neighborhood kids in her garage. That early inclination solidified in college, where regular classroom observations confirmed her commitment to teaching. Ms. Sorbel has taught in multiple settings, including both 5th grade and 7th and 8th grade Language Arts at PACT Charter School. After several years away to raise her four children, Sorbel felt an undeniable pull to return to the profession. She has been with Osseo Area Schools for seven years, including the past five at Cedar Island Elementary.

Sorbel’s approach centers on engagement and encouragement. Year after year, she brings a simple motto into her classroom for her students: “Choose Joy.” As an upper-elementary educator, she understands that she’ll get an eye-roll from time-to-time, but that’s easily trumped by the moments where the mantra really connects. Just this year, Ms. Sorbel received an email from a former fourth-grade student, who shared that when she faces challenges, she continues to revert back to the idea of choosing joy, and that her approach has helped her through the highs and lows of middle school. It was a clear reminder that educators don’t always get to see the impact of their work in real time, but that their influence can live on for months, years, or decades to come.

At Cedar Island, colleagues describe Sorbel as a steady and student-centered presence. Principal Alex Berg notes that she “does whatever it takes to meet the needs of every student, ensuring each child feels seen, supported, and successful.” Her ability to create a welcoming environment, paired with a commitment to making learning engaging, has made her a valued member of the school community. Sorbel hopes that families recognize the behind-the-scenes effort educators invest each day — and that her students leave her classroom knowing they were supported every step of the way.

Ms. Sorbel’s message to the community is a simple one - continue to be engaged. When parents take full advantage of the opportunity to work with and alongside their child’s teacher, students receive the maximum educational benefit and educators are able to keep, and share, their spark.