Minnesota 'Teacher Of The Year' Kneels During National Anthem

Minnesota's most recent recipient of the "teacher of the year" award, Kelly Holstine, took a stance by kneeling during the national anthem at the NCAA football championship game Monday. Holstine was being honored along with the other teacher of the year award winners from throughout the country.

Not far away from Holstine on the field was President Donald Trump, who has spoken fiercely against ex-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and others who've knelt during the anthem to protest racism, police brutality, and other causes.

Holstine said she knelt in order to stand up "for marginalized and oppressed people." She received both praise and fierce criticism after tweeting photos of her protest.

Holstine is an English teacher at Tokata Learning Center in Shakopee. She was nominated for her ability to teach and connect with students who struggle in the traditional classroom.

"Many of Tokata's students are facing struggles that make it difficult to thrive in a standard public school setting," wrote Amy Mytnik, a parent of two of Holstine's students, in her nomination letter for Holstine.

"So it is important for the teachers to be able to adapt their teaching styles to meet a variety of learning setbacks and behavioral concerns. Kelly's willingness to meet her students where they are and use the most effective methods to foster an environment of safety and healing is most effective in this environment."