?ÄúCulture is created consciously and unconsciously. You get to decide how your room feels when anyone enters,?Äù continued Sweeney. ?ÄúBring your positive energy to classroom, then teach science,?Äù she added.
The evening began with a welcome and congratulations by Mark Schmitz, executive director of Resource. ?ÄúI have been a teacher, principal and most recently a superintendent. I look at my experiences as a teacher as the ones that have given me the most value in my life ?Ķ and, often the most humbling,?Äù he said. ?ÄúMany times the gift you give students may not be
about what you teach. It is the relationship you create with children, he concluded.
The Presiding Superintendent for the evening was Scott Staska from the ROCORI school district. ?ÄúI am honored to represent the superintendents in our region and bring their congratulations. The honorees here are often the reason many kids come to school. You make every child a priority,?Äù he said.
Kimball teachers were honored Nov. 4, at the River?Äôs Edge Convention Center. In this photo, from left to right are Mark Schmitz, Executive Director of Resource Training & Solutions, Mary Bernardy, Joe Stangle, and KAHS Principal Erik Widvey. Submitted photo.
?ÄúYou may never know your legacy and the lives you have touched,?Äù said Ken Anderson, Board Chair of Resource Training & Solutions. ?ÄúI was recently at a restaurant with a friend and former teacher, Mr. Lutgen. The waitress recognized him and said that she remembered when he told her she had a nice smile and gave her a smile pin. And, to this day she has it on her nightstand. ?ÄúOn behalf of the Resource Board of Directors, congratulations and keep up the good work,?Äù said Anderson.
The event is sponsored by the participating school districts, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, the Horace Mann Agency and Resource Training & Solutions. It is coordinated by Sandra Cordie, Director of Educational Program. This banquet marked the 24th anniversary of the LEEA event. To date, there have been 3,499 educators in the Central Minnesota region who have received this recognition.
?ÄúYou have the most honorable occupation on the planet. Keep bringing that positive energy to all the people you meet,?Äù concluded Sweeney.
Educators from Eden Valley-Watkins School District who were honored are Mary Huberty and Kathy Pauls.
Those honored from Kimball Area Schools are Mary Bernardy and Joe Stangle.