ROSEAU, Minn. — Roseau High School welding, machine shop and Work-Based Learning (WBL) teacher Soren Olesen has been recognized by the American Welding Society Northern Plains Section as its Section Educator for his contributions to welding education and the welding industry in 2025. The Northern Plains Section serves AWS members across North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota.
The recognition comes from Olesen’s peers within AWS and follows continued investment in welding education at Roseau High School. Earlier this year, the school received a $5,548 AWS Foundation Welding Workforce Grant to purchase equipment and materials providing students with additional hands-on experience with industry-relevant welding processes and technology.
“All across the country, welding professionals are in high demand, and it’s an ongoing challenge for schools to train enough individuals to meet the needs of local industry,” said Monica Pfarr, Executive Director of the AWS Foundation. “We are proud to support schools in enhancing and growing welding programs that play a vital role in developing the workforce needed to strengthen our communities.”
Olesen has taught Career and Technical Education since 2015, previously teaching CTE classes at Indus School before joining Roseau High School in 2023, where he teaches welding and machine shop and coordinates Work-Based Learning. His classes combine hands-on technical education with industry partnerships and work-based learning to help students develop skills and discover career opportunities in the skilled trades.
“Welding is the skill we teach, but what we are really building is capability,” Olesen said. “Students learn that they can make something, solve a problem and become useful to an employer and their community. Once a young person discovers that, it can change what they believe is possible for their future.”