?ÄúTonight?Äôs honorees have an unwavering belief that they are teaching someone who will do great things for our world,?Äù said Paul Neubauer. Neubauer served as the presiding superintendent at the Leaders in Educational Excellence (LEEA) event on Wednesday, Oct. 25, at River?Äôs Edge Convention Center in 
St. Cloud. ?ÄúHonorees, I want you to take a moment to thank those who also support you. Your family, spouses, your administrators ?Äì all are in your corner supporting you,?Äù continued Neubauer.
The evening began with a welcome and congratulations by Mark Schmitz, executive director of Resource. ?ÄúTeaching can be both exhilarating and exhausting. We are pleased to be able to bring this honor to deserving educators,?Äù he added.
More than 465 people attended the event to honor 152 educators who were recognized with a plaque. The honorees were nominated by their school or district. Represented at the event are public, private, parochial, charter schools, and Meeker & Wright Special Education Cooperative. There were forty school districts / agencies represented.
Kimball teachers honored at the LEEA Banquet Oct. 25 are, from left, Jim Wagner, Kimball Superintendent, and teachers Lisa Hennen, and Paul Sundin, with Resource Executive Director Mark Schmitz at right. Submitted photo.
Keynote speaker for the evening was Jay Haugen, superintendent of Farmington School District. ?ÄúI invite you to use your natural strengths but lead with passion and joy. Joy in your classrooms and joy in your life,?Äù he said.
Ken Anderson, chair of the Resource Board, brought congratulations to the honorees. He said, ?ÄúSchools, students and teachers have access to tons of technology. But it is the teacher that makes all the difference in the world.?Äù
The event is sponsored by the participating school districts and Resource Training & Solutions. It is coordinated by Sandra Cordie, K-12 Director of Educational Program. This banquet marked the 26th anniversary of the LEEA event. To date, there have been 3,803 educators in the Central MN region who have received this recognition.
?ÄúTeachers, we all know that on Sunday night, you have Monday rolling around in your mind. Thinking about lesson plans and activities for your students. But for tonight, take a deep breath and relax knowing you are making a difference every day,?Äù concluded Superintendent Neubauer.
Eden Valley-Watkins teachers honored at the LEEA Banquet Oct. 25 are, from left,
Gordon Schlangen and Mary Holmberg, with Resource Executive Director Mark Schmitz at right. Submitted photo.
From Eden Valley-Watkins Schools were Mary Holmberg and Gordon Schlangen.
From Kimball Area Schools were Lisa Hennen and Paul Sundin.