Brookings schools fete top teachers John Kubal -- Posted On: 05-20-2006
Teachers, administrators and staff gathered Wednesday
afternoon to name those whose classroom performance deserves special recognition
and to honor those who are winding up distinguished careers.
The cafetorium at George Mickelson Middle School was the setting for the annual
"Recognition Tea" for Brookings School District and Brookings
Education Association teachers and employees.
Prior to the awards ceremony, attendees visited and enjoyed refreshments that
included cake, coffee and punch, while they were entertained by a string quartet
of student musicians Alysa Odegaard, Katrina Hanson, Annie Morgan and Laura
Engelmann and director David Mitchell.
And as it has been every spring for the past 35-plus years, the highlight of the
gathering was the naming of the teachers of the year, one each from the
Brookings School District's three elementary schools, the middle school, and the
high school.
This year's honored teachers were: Susan Neuman, Central Elementary School;
Bill Diercks, Hillcrest Elementary School; Jan Parmely, Medary Elementary
School; Joyce Carlson, Mickelson Middle School; and Kelly Riedell, Brookings
High School.
And from those five best of the best, Carlson was selected to represent the
Brookings School District in state competition for the honor of being named
South Dakota Teacher of the Year.
Retirees honored were High School teachers Carol Bender and Jon Hovland; Middle
School teachers Kathleen Jorenby and Cheryl Schrader; Hillcrest teachers Dolores
Groos and Judy Magnus; Central teacher Jackie Meeder; High School activities
secretary Mary Lou Eggebraaten; Middle School secretary Marnell Mohror; Medary
maintenance worker Ken PeKarek.
And honored for 25 or more years of service to the Brookings School District
were High School teachers Patty Jorgenson and Gary Maffett; Hillcrest teacher
Deonne Nordquist; Central teacher Linda Schamp; Medary teacher Susan Turnipseed;
food service workers Gladys Bren and LaVonne Knutson; and maintenance worker
George Bos.
Middle School world languages teacher Marsha Klein presented a special award to
Jean Jostad, a retired world languages teacher for her volunteer work, over the
past 10 years, with students for whom English is a second language.
During the presentation of awards, attendees, who filled tables at the
cafetorium, rose to their feet and gave standing ovations to Jostad, Eggebraaten,
and Mohror.
The gathering and program were organized by teachers and Brookings Education
Association co-presidents Judy Kroll and Lori Olson.
