Two Duluth teachers get "Gold Star"

Two Duluth educators were named Goldfine Gold Star Teachers Thursday night.

Alison Wood, who teaches at Denfeld, won for the high school level. And Cindy Sutherland, an instructor at Piedmont, was honored among elementary teachers.

Denfeld Principal Tom Tusken commended Wood for her commitment to change and innovation. Piedmont Principal Jennifer Bobbe lauded Sutherland for her "quiet enthusiasm" and hands-on learning opportunities.

The Goldfine family presented the teachers with $5,000.

"A lot of teachers use their own funds to buy stuff for their kids," Adelle Wellens, communications officer for Duluth Public Schools, said. "That’s just kind of the reality of funding and education. So it’s great that they’ll get this prize and be able to use it on themselves."

Typically, the award alternates every year between an elementary and secondary teacher, but this year there were two winners.