Grand Forks Schools Inducted Six Into Hall of Fame

The school district honored six educators for their lasting contributions to local students and the community.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Awards

Bold vector editorial illustration of a brass bell and a stack of leather-bound books, symbolizing the lasting impact of local educators. — Grand Forks Public Schools honored six educators by inducting them into the district's Teachers Hall of Fame, recognizing their decades of service. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Grand Forks Public Schools celebrated six educators by inducting them into the district's Teachers Hall of Fame. The group includes individuals recognized for decades of classroom instruction and musical leadership.

Why it matters

The induction serves as a formal recognition of the career-long impacts these educators have had on the lives of local students. It highlights the lasting influence that dedicated teachers provide to the Grand Forks academic community.

The ceremony honored six educators, including Allen Janes, who taught math for 39 years, and JoNell Bakke, who served in special education for more than four decades. Ronald Gruwell, another inductee, is a grandfather of 16 and a great-grandfather of 21.

The players

JoNell Bakke

She is a career educator who dedicated more than four decades to teaching special education students.

Michael Bisenius

A posthumous inductee, he was recognized as the 2023 North Dakota History Teacher of the Year before his death in 2024.

Allen Janes

He is a long-serving mathematics instructor who spent 39 years teaching at Red River High School.

Melanie Popejoy

She is a local educator and musician who founded the Grand Cities Children's Choir in 2002.

Grand Forks Public Schools

This is the primary local school district serving the educational needs of students in Grand Forks.

The details

Held at Red River High School, the ceremony honored JoNell Bakke, Michael Bisenius, Ronald Gruwell, Allen Janes, Melanie Popejoy, and Jody Thompson. The event also featured a moment of silence to honor the memories of Ken Sherwood, Tom Gabrielson, and Bob Leach.

Melanie Popejoy founded the Grand Cities Children's Choir in 2002.
Michael Bisenius was named North Dakota History Teacher of the Year in 2023.
Michael Bisenius passed away in 2024.
Ken Sherwood died in July 2026.
Grand Forks Public Schools inducted the new Hall of Fame class on September 27, 2026.

Culture Shift

This induction follows the institutional pattern set by the National Teacher Hall of Fame induction model to preserve local pedagogical history. It reflects a growing community emphasis on documenting the long-term impact of individual educators on regional student populations.

The induction honors educators who have shaped generations of local families, reinforcing the value of long-term teaching commitments in Grand Forks. Residents can look to these honorees as foundational figures in the development of the district's academic and musical programs.

The takeaway

Recognizing educators through a Hall of Fame provides a tangible way for districts to document their history and honor institutional knowledge. These ceremonies remind local communities of the profound, multi-decade impact that individual teachers have on the lives of their students.