TDS Telecom presents Spokane Most Valuable Educator Award

TDS Telecom presents Spokane Most Valuable Educator Award

Fifth-grade teacher honored with Gonzaga University Athletics prize package

SPOKANE VALLEY, Washington (January 27, 2026) – TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS®) surprised an Opportunity Elementary School teacher with its Spokane Most Valuable Educator Award, which honors a person working in schools and making a difference in the lives of students and their community.

Leslie Geldien was presented with the award and a Gonzaga University Athletics prize package that includes two tickets to a men’s basketball game, in-game recognition, and the opportunity to take a group of students to the McCarthey Athletic Center to tour the facility.

Geldien, a fifth-grade teacher at Opportunity Elementary, was chosen as TDS’ Most Valuable Educator from more than 100 nominations throughout the region. She was praised in her three nominations for meeting her students with unwavering compassion and patience. Teaching in a high-poverty community, Geldien often brings extra snacks, offers gentle check-ins to support students’ emotional well-being, and along with her mother, hand-makes warm hats to help students through the winter months.

Geldien was honored Tuesday afternoon in front of students and staff at an all-school assembly.

“With 25 years of dedicated service at Opportunity Elementary, Leslie Geldien has shaped the lives of hundreds of students, many of whom return to her classroom just to thank her. She represents the epitome of the kind of person we wanted to honor with the Spokane Most Valuable Educator Award, and we were honored to make this presentation today,” said Sandy Hendrix, TDS associate manager of Field Marketing.

TDS Telecommunications offers high-speed internet, a sophisticated TV product, and mobile and landline phone services in several communities throughout the region, including Spokane and Spokane Valley, Washington, and Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Rathdrum, and Hayden, Idaho. The company emphasizes supporting the communities it serves with programs such as the Spokane Most Valuable Educator program.

TDS, operating as TDS Metrocom, LLC, continues expanding its all-fiber internet network to more neighborhoods. For more information, visit TDSFiber.com.