Hello, all!
My name is Jasmin Kotek,
But I always go by "Jas." I’m a proud first-generation college graduate from Minnesota State University, Mankato, where I earned my degree in Secondary Mathematics Education. I am currently an educator at Faribault Middle School in my hometown, where I teach 6th Grade Math Concepts, Math Lab (focused on real-world math applications), and an 8th Grade leadership course called Peer Group Connections (PGC). Next year, I’ll be following my current class to 7th grade to teach Pre-Algebra—continuing my commitment to guiding and growing alongside my students.
My love for teaching actually grew out of my love for coaching. I spent my high school years on various dance teams and competition lines—but fun fact: I didn’t start dancing until I was thirteen, so I often felt like I was playing catch-up when it came to kicking high! Many years and countless rhinestones later, I’m now wrapping up a full decade of holding the title “coach.” I’ve had the privilege of working with youth teams in dance, cheer, fall performance, and softball—instilling confidence, discipline, and joy in countless young athletes. While I’ve stepped back from the sidelines for now, my passion for mentorship remains a core part of everything I do.
That same commitment to positive influence has extended beyond coaching. I’ve served as a Big Sister in Big Brothers Big Sisters, a mentor in Miller Mentoring, and a coach for the Girls On The Run program in the Southern MN area, finding purpose and providing positivity in every opportunity to support and uplift the next generation.
Outside the classroom, I’m a published author of four (soon to be five!) children’s books: Believe, Bella, Exhale, Ella, Strong, Sox, and Wishful, Winnie.
These stories are aligned with Minnesota K-12 academic standards and CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning) competencies, making social-emotional learning approachable and engaging for even the youngest readers.
Through my statewide initiative that I have worked on diligently this year, Open Books, Open Minds, I have been able to provide equity and access to mental health resources by sourcing funding to provide complete sets of these books to all 251 public libraries across Minnesota.
In addition, I’ve published a mental wellness journal titled, Empowering Positivity, Embracing Resilience, and launched the #ExhaleProject—a bracelet-based campaign that uses positive words and creativity to amplify the quote "inhale the positives, exhale the negatives" to inspire age-appropriate mental health conversations. I’m also in the process of developing a suite of free digital and printable SEL resources for educators to support the integration of mental wellness into classrooms across all grade levels - straight from the classsroom of Ms.Kotek!
My deepest passion lies in mental health advocacy, born from personal experience. In 2008, I lost my cousin Brandyn to suicide, and later, I witnessed a family member’s attempt. These life-altering moments inspired me to rewrite my own story with resilience—and to create spaces for others to do the same. I co-founded CultureChange, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on transforming mental health culture through outreach, access, and connection. Since its launch, CultureChange has expanded its reach to over 300 universities, 16 Minnesota school districts, and two countries. Our programs include a comprehensive K-12 curriculum, a four-part post-secondary initiative, online wellness course, athletic and school trainings, athletic partnerships, and educator resources.
As the co-developer of a second nonprofit, Seeds of Success, and my work alongside Minnesota State University, Mankato, I have been able to help create immersive AI- and VR-based mental health education tools with our chatbot, Project CARLA, that are scalable and accessible for both classrooms, campuses and soon communities nationwide.
I also engage in legislative advocacy, championing policies that expand access to mental health services and support. Alongside the Jordyn Clark Foundation, I’ve contributed to passing legislation in Ohio, Virginia, and Maryland, and I authored a bill in Minnesota with the support of Senator Julia Coleman focused on training for coaches in mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
On top of it all, I’m the proud founder and small business owner of ELEactive—a Minnesota-based activewear brand that blends physical health, mental wellness, and yes, my love of shopping. ELE stands for Embracing Life’s Experiences—a motto that reflects my brand and my life’s mission: to transform adversity into advocacy and help others do the same.
And of course—If you can tell, I love making a difference in my communities, and the crown of the Miss America Opportunity provides the platform to do precisely that. I’ve proudly held the titles of Miss South Central (2020–2021, 2023), Miss Hastings 2022, Miss Waseca County Sleigh & Cutter 2024, and now Miss Owatonna 2025. But these titles represent more than pageantry. They represent the communities that shaped me—the classrooms I learned in, the teams I danced on, and the people who believed in me when I struggled to believe in myself. I am especially grateful to the Southern Minnesota Pageant Committee for being a part of that story and the driving factor behind my journey in this organization. For you all, I am forever grateful.
