Minot music teacher finds rhythm in classroom

MINOT, N.D. (KMOT) - There’s no doubt that teachers make an impact on their students.

Last week, 48 educators were recognized as their respective county’s teacher of the year.

Some teachers are just on beat with keeping their students engaged and excited in the classroom.

“Only listen to certain parts of the song, but now I listen to the whole thing and listen to the beats and things like that,” said Thomas.

Thomas is a fifth-grader at John Hoeven Elementary and is learning more about music, thanks to Risha Allen.

Allen started teaching music at John Hoeven in 2021, but has been educating students for nearly two decades in other subject areas.

“Ever since I’ve been teaching, that has been my focus, engagement,” said Allen.

Allen said in her mind, student engagement is classroom management, and her techniques are keeping students like Harper on their toes to learn more.

“She makes a lot of games and stuff that make us learn about music and its purpose and rhythms,” said Harper.

Allen’s hard work and passion are not just seen by students, but by fellow staff as well.

Principal John Alstad said Allen is great at keeping students involved in ways that specifically interest them.

“She really brings her joy of music to the classroom, she brings her creativity to the classroom,” said Alstad.

Allen said she taught English before music and said her love of writing is being used in a whole new way.

“If you want to write a song about capybaras, I’m going to indulge that,” said Allen.

Allen said she has written special songs for her students and even lets them draft what they want to have for their school music programs.

She said her songs have gained the attention of others, and now she shares them on platforms like TikTok.

“The TikTok edge has brought a lot of opportunity to my classroom. A lot of the instruments that you see were donated by people on TikTok,” said Allen.

Allen said some of her content has gone viral and is used by other teachers across the country.

“I’m in my happy place teaching elementary music,” said Allen.

Allen’s joy and happiness for teaching are a testament to who she is and why she was chosen as the 2025 Ward County Teacher of the Year.

Allen is now in the running for North Dakota Teacher of the Year, which will be announced in September.

For a full list of the county teachers of the year, follow this link.