(01/16/20) Every once in a while, while watching the morning news, Donna Melby would catch WCCO-TV’s Excellent Educator segment. 

“I’d think — I know a teacher that deserves that,” she said.

That person is Chad Boehlke, a sixth-grade physical science teacher at the Washington campus of Anoka Middle School for the Arts (AMSA), whom Melby has substitute taught for periodically for more than 12 years.

“He’s a great teacher,” she said. “I really enjoy substituting in his class, and it’s because he’s a wonderful teacher.” 

Recently, she wrote a letter to the television station nominating Boehlke for the award. This week, he received it. With Melby, assistant principals Jeff Thompson and John Pena, and fellow sixth-grade science teachers Jennifer Pillsbury and Kelsey Grad all in tow, WCCO This Morning anchor Kim Johnson surprised Boehlke in class on Jan. 16, presenting him with a plaque and a round of applause from his students.

“This is so surprising,” Boehlke said as everyone came to his room. “What an honor.”

He said he became a teacher thanks to his dad. “I grew up seeing him in front of a class, and visiting his classroom,” Boehlke said.

When asked what he loves about being a teacher, he pointed to his class of students. “I love seeing the kids every day — they inspire me,” he said.

Thompson said he’d be hard-pressed to find a more deserving teacher for a recognition like this. “(Boehlke) is a selfless, dedicated and out-of-the-box thinker, and just an amazing teacher,” he said.

The WCCO Excellent Educator segment will appear on Jan. 29, at 5 a.m. during the station’s morning show, and again during its noontime program.