Cora Longley Eckstrom (1933-1975)

Cora Eckstrom began teaching in the Morrison County rural school system in 1933. She taught a variety of grade levels, as most rural teachers did. In 1954, Mrs. Eckstrom began teaching in the Upsala elementary school. She taught 6th grade. Those students who had Cora as a teacher remember her no nonsense approach. She was serious about education and about the requirements needed to be a productive member of society.

Mrs. Eckstrom was the first elementary principal at Upsala, beginning in 1956 as a teaching principal. In 1969 she became the full-time elementary principal. When the need for an elementary building became apparent in the mid 1970's, Cora researched many educational philosophies that provided the theoretical foundations for physical buildings. It was her desire to see students succeed that led to the acceptance and implementation of the hexagonally shaped elementary building with the media center as the hub of the school.

This beautiful concept has proved to be successful. With the addition of walls to quiet the noise, the hex has not only been aesthetically pleasing but educationally sound. The crowning jewel in the design has continued to be the media center hub. Students and staff have open access to the books and materials that they need. All students from First through Sixth grade check out their own materials at the media center circulation desk.

What Mrs. Eckstrom could not have planned for in the mid 1970's has also been successfully integrated into the design of the building - computers. Computer use has transitioned from static labs with rows of devices to mobile carts that travel from room to room to the 1:1 model, in which each student has a device with which to work throughout the day.

After serving as Title 1 administrator from 1971 - 1975, Cora Eckstrom retired from teaching. On May 4, 1975, "In recognition of her unique and significant contribution to education the media center, the heart of Upsala Elementary School, is dedicated and named the Cora Eckstrom Media Center." The community, school board (Joe Schumer, Marcellus Theisen, Joe Korman, James Atkinson, Meinrad Lange and Kenneth Schultz) and superintendent (Gil Wagner) did well in recognizing her accomplishments.

Cora Eckstrom is a good example of the high caliber teaching staff that have invested their lives in Upsala students over the years. Thanks, Cora, and thanks to all Upsala teachers, paraprofessionals, coaches, cooks, maintenance staff, school board members and administrators that have made Upsala a quality school.