Norma J. Grausnick Elementary Education Scholarship

Norma Grausnick grew up in rural Winona. Her father owned the store in Witoka, MN and Norma and her parents lived above the store in an apartment, and later built a home in that area. Norma attended a country school until 8th grade. When her father passed away, Norma and her mother, Winnie, moved to Winona so she could attend high school.

Winnie believed education was the key to Norma’s success. Although it would be a financial stretch, they devised a plan for Norma to attend Winona State Teacher’s College. Winne worked as seamstress and did alterations for the Choate department store, and Norma worked at the “dime store (Kresges).

Norma earned her first degree from Winona State in 1942 and her second in 1944. Norma attended night school and summer school to earn her master’s degree from Winona State in 1967. Her teaching career spanned more than three decades. Norma taught elementary school in Northfield, MN, then in Red Wing, MN for 5 years collectively and then took a position teaching Kindergarten at Jefferson School in Winona where she taught until her retirement.

When asked what her favorite part of teaching is, Norma said it was the people. The students, teachers and families she has known and built relationships with over the years has been wonderful.

Fun Facts:
• Favorite subject to teach: Art. Norma had an Art minor and loves creating things with her hands
• How would Norma describe her style of teaching: Strict. She had expectations for her students.
• How would Norma’s students describe her style of teaching: Caring and disciplined
• Norma and Winnie lived in a house where the Krueger Library stands today
• Norma loves to travel and has visited all 50 states in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Costa Rica and more.

Norma remembers receiving a scholarship for $50 while attending Winona State Teacher’s College. That $50 covered one semester of classes and meant a lot to Norma and her mother. Norma believes the education she received at Winona State was excellent and built a foundation for her success in her career as a teacher. If she could give advice to current students, she would tell them to be serious about your education and participate in opportunities outside the classroom. You’ll meet wonderful people and enhance your life.

Scholarship contact is Norma.