SOUTH CENTRAL SERVICE COOPERATIVE

Area Educators Receive Regional
WEM Outstanding Educator Awards

South Central Service Cooperative (SCSC) and the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) awarded Loren Dunham, Fairmont Area Public Schools; Sheryl Schrage, Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Area Schools; and Shari Blasing, Mankato Area Public Schools; the WEM Foundation’s Regional 2007 Outstanding Educator Awards at the SCSC Board Meeting August 1.

Dunham, who retired this year, was honored in the Academic Coach of the Year category, which recognizes coaches of student teams who participate and compete in academic challenge or enrichment programs endorsed by the Minnesota Academic League Council. He taught Economics, IB European History, IB Theory of Knowledge, and Psychology to grades 11–12 at Fairmont Junior-Senior High School, with 39 years of teaching experience. He coached Economics Challenge for 27 years and Knowledge Bowl for 7 years.

Schrage was honored in the Teacher Achievement Award category, which recognizes teachers who support, inspire and assist students to achieve despite barriers to learning. Schrage teaches elementary special education to grades K–6 at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Elementary, with 31 years of teaching experience and coaches a strong Special Olympics in the district.

Blasing, who was unable to attend the award ceremony, was honored in the Ethics in Education category, which recognizes educators who exemplify ethical behavior for the teaching profession and promote ethical practices and development for their students through classroom activities or curriculum. Blasing teaches social studies, music and special education at Central High School, in addition to being a case manager for all special education students in grades 7–12 at her school.

The WEM Outstanding Educator Awards program was created by the WEM Foundation, and is administered by the Center for Academic Excellence, in partnership with the service cooperative members of the Minnesota Regional Service Agency (MRSA). The WEM Foundation supports teachers and their important role in helping all children achieve academically. The awards program, now in its ninth year, has helped recognize education’s often “unsung heroes”—educators who daily meet the challenges and opportunities of teaching in a variety of settings.

Educators are first nominated by students, students’ parents, colleagues or community members. Those who accept the nomination provide additional information for review and consideration by the Center for Academic Excellence and a blue ribbon selection panel, which reviews and ranks the nominees.

Six educators received statewide honors, and 12 educators were named as regional honorees for 2007 by the WEM Foundation. The six state winners were awarded $10,000 each and a crystal apple from the WEM Foundation on October 20 at the annual awards brunch.

Nominate your deserving teachers for this award! The Center for Academic Excellence is accepting nominations for the 2008 WEM Outstanding Educator Awards. Visit www.mncae.org to nominate deserving educators from your school!

 

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