Walser Subaru St. Paul Honors Local Teacher

At Walser Subaru St. Paul, supporting the local community is part of who we are. During Teacher Appreciation Week, we launched  a “Nominate a Teacher Who Made a Difference” campaign to recognize educators across the Twin Cities who continue to make a lasting impact on students, families, and the communities around them.

We invited people throughout the Twin Cities to nominate a teacher who had truly made a difference in their life. The response was incredible.

Community members submitted thoughtful and emotional stories about teachers who go far beyond their job titles every single day. We heard stories about educators supporting students through difficult times, helping families feel seen and supported, and creating safe spaces where children can learn and grow with confidence.

One nomination especially stood out.

Honoring Natalie from Wheelock Early Learning Center ECFE

Natalie, a Parent Educator at Wheelock Early Learning Center’s ECFE program in St. Paul, was nominated by her colleague Tracy for the incredible care and support she gives to families throughout the community.

In her nomination, Tracy shared:

“Natalie is a parent educator in our ECFE program, which means she guides parents of young children through all the ups and downs. She helps families set the foundation for their children’s success. There isn’t a teacher out there with a bigger heart than Natalie. She loves the parents, she loves the children, and she loves building relationships that last well beyond their time in our program. She is to be admired and honored. I’m lucky to be her colleague.”

Natalie works closely with parents and young children during some of the most important developmental years in a child’s life. Through the ECFE program, she helps families navigate challenges including sleep struggles, emotional development, setting healthy boundaries, preschool readiness, literacy development, and many of the everyday questions that come with raising young children.

Her impact reaches far beyond a classroom.

Programs like ECFE play a major role in helping families build strong foundations for lifelong learning and emotional growth, yet these educators are often overlooked when conversations around education happen.

When Natalie learned she had been selected, she humbly shared that it was “an honor for our school to even be nominated,” adding that programs like theirs are often forgotten.

Supporting Teachers Who Give Back Every Day

Many teachers spend their own money on classroom supplies, educational materials, books, snacks, and resources to help students succeed. Through this campaign, we wanted to do more than simply say thank you.

Natalie received a classroom award to help purchase supplies and resources for the families and students she supports, along with a vehicle service voucher. One thing our team did not know before meeting Natalie was that she actually drives a Subaru herself, which made the moment feel even more meaningful and personal for our team. It was a reminder that the same values Subaru stands for, care, safety, community, and supporting others, were already part of Natalie’s everyday life long before this campaign began.

But ,ore importantly, we wanted educators like Natalie to feel recognized for the difference they make every day.

Teachers help shape confidence, learning, emotional growth, and community connection in ways that often go unseen. Their work creates ripple effects that last for generations.

Community Matters at Walser Subaru St. Paul

As a local Subaru dealership serving St. Paul and the surrounding Twin Cities area, giving back to local communities remains an important part of the Subaru Love Promise.

Our Teacher Appreciation campaign reminded us how many incredible educators are making a difference across Minnesota every day, often quietly and without recognition.

We are grateful to everyone who took the time to submit nominations and share stories that highlighted the compassion, patience, and dedication teachers bring to their communities.

And most importantly, thank you to Natalie and every educator who continues to show up for students and families every single day.

Your impact reaches far beyond the classroom, and our communities are stronger because of people like you.

More Than a Car Dealership

If you are looking for a Subaru dealership in St. Paul that believes in supporting local communities, we invite you to visit Walser Subaru St. Paul. We are proud to serve drivers throughout St. Paul, Minneapolis, Maplewood, Woodbury, Roseville, Eagan, Inver Grove Heights, and surrounding Minnesota communities.