Norma J. Grausnick Elementary Education Scholarship

In November 2017, the Norma J. Grausnick Elementary Education Scholarship was established with the Winona State University Foundation. The scholarship will benefit elementary education majors at WSU.

Criteria
1. Each recipient must be an undergraduate student enrolled full-time (minimum 12 credit hours) at Winona State University.
2. Each recipient must be admitted into the Teacher Education Program and in be in good standing at Winona State University.
3. Each recipient must have a minimum g.p.a. of 2.75 (4.0 = A)
4. Each recipient must be a declared major in Elementary Education.
5. Each recipient must demonstrate financial need; however, need should not be based solely on FAFSA.
6. Each recipient must demonstrate passion and the ability to be successful as an elementary education teacher.

Background and Motivation
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 Teachers 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 1944 and her second in 1946. Norma attended night school and summer school to earn her masters 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.

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 Normas 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 Teachers 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.