The Thompson Education Foundation (TEF) honored teachers and staff at their annual Education Appreciation Breakfast, held this year in Berthoud at the Brookside Gardens Event Center.

After breakfast, Wes Fothergill, the Executive Director of the foundation began the proceedings by introducing each of the six recipients of last year’s Creativity Grant Awards. These awards are given by the Foundation to teachers who have creative ideas for teaching their students, but which require funding beyond the school district’s budget. Each recipient explained his or her project to an appreciative audience. The ideas covered a wide range of activities from mulching with worms and learning recycling at Big Thompson Elementary to “All of us…On the Map” at Coyote Ridge. The mapping included corresponding with classes in Sweden, India and Mexico and creating a book to share with each of the far off places.

Lisa Carleson got quite excited explaining how she took her Mary Blair Elementary students to Colorado State University

Dara Vandenberg got the idea from the book "Me on the Map" and along with teachers Nancy Milliken, Kristi Lux, and Jennifer Legault, taught the students how different people in different places fit into the world

TEF president, Stuart Boyd took the stage to present the educator of the year awards (See complete list of nominees at the end of the article.) Each nominee was the subject of a letter to the board. Some came from associates, but they also came from parents and students. Boyd explained the board read all the letters and then met to make the final choice. Before reading the letters, Boyd cautioned the audience that he sometimes had a “Hallmark moment” when reading the letters aloud, but not to worry about him, that he would eventually be able to gain his composure and continue.

With that notice, he read the first letter.

Stuart Boyd, Presiden of the Thompson Education Foundation announces the Educator of the Year awards

The school district has thoughtfully provided a biography and the text from some of the submitted letters. The TEF awards cover not only teaching staff, but include those who work in support and administration.

The first award of the morning went to Diane Lauer in the Administrative/Professional/Technical category.

Stu Boyd congratulates Diane Lauer on her selection as an educator of the year

Diane Lauer has been with the district since 1996 as a teacher, principal and director. She became principal of Conrad Ball Middle School in 2005 and then director of Instructional Coaches in 2007. She began her current position in fall of 2009. She is well known across the state for her work in middle school curriculum and was instrumental in Conrad Ball receiving the Colorado Trailblazer School to Watch designation in 2006. Nominators stressed her energy, leadership, knowledge, humor and concern for students. Comments included:

“As a staff member and parent I have always been impressed by Diane’s energy and willingness to listen and work to solve a problem; in her drive to make things work; and in her ability to embrace a task and see it through. She has that non-stop “just do IT!” attitude. Through it all, she maintains a great sense of humor and remains positive. The district is blessed to have such a dynamo!

Another nominator said: “I appreciate the leadership that she brings. Her ideas are thoughtful and insightful. All of the meetings that she leads are purposeful and have clear expectations and outcomes. She validates all of the ideas in the room making sure that each person has an opportunity to share. In most of the settings, Diane brings opportunities for professional development and opportunities for all of us too.”

The award for Principal of the year went to Dave Patterson, former principal at Berthoud Elementary, now at Cottonwood Plains Elementary.

David Patterson accepts his award from Wes Fothergill

Patterson started at the district as principal at Berthoud Elementary School in 2002 and moved over to Cottonwood plains in 2006. Members of his current and former staff as well as parents nominated him, pointing to his leadership, caring approach, his support and encouragement toward staff, students and parents. Comments included:

“What I appreciated most was Dave’s sense of humor and compassion, both of which he balanced when working to support his teachers and students in difficult situations. Children feel his genuine interest in their lives; he was a dynamic force in our school and kids flocked to his side for hugs or quick chats whenever an opportunity presented itself.”

Another nominator wrote: “Mr. Patterson has inspired many parents in our school to volunteer at various school functions and activities. He has awakened the value that families share in the education process. Students continue to learn when they are outside of the classroom and parents can help make learning fun!”

Leona Myers was selected as educator of the year for the Classified Staff in the district.

Leona Myers beams as she holds her Educator of the Year award

Leona Myers has been with the district since 1990, when she started at Loveland High School as a Nutrition Services trainee. She is now a multi-unit production manager who will retire at the end of this school year. She has worked at four locations: LHS, Winona Elementary, Bill Reed Middle School and Mountain View High School. Myers has been recognized several times for her hard work for maintaining quality in production and recognizing others for a job well done even when she was short-handed and under trying circumstances. Nominators, who included school staff, her peers and students pointed to her love of everyone, her kindness, her efficiency and overall positive attitude. Comments included:

“Leona loves us all! Staff, students, parents at MV. She goes out of her way to know all of ‘her kids’ (about 1100) as she calls them—by name. She builds relationships and mentors students encouraging them to stay in school and to do their best. I have worked with Leona for over 10 years and am always inspired by the fact that she has a smile on her face and a warm hug for everyone everyday. On my worst days, I know that I can go to Leona for a hug and a meal, which brightens my day. Students and staff at MV worship the ground she walks on and know how very much we are loved by her. We will be so sad when she leaves us for retirement.”

Another nominator said: “Leona is always cheerful. She always goes out of her way to do special things for all staff members. She also takes time to do special things for Mountain View Students. She takes time to listen to them, and let them know that she cares. Students have asked her to give them their diplomas. She is loved and admired by everyone at Mountain View.

Next, from the largest category of nominees, the Teacher of the Year was Bruce Moore from Mountain View High School.

Bruce Moore gets a handshake and his Teacher of the Year award from the Thompson Education Foundation

Bruce Moore joined the district nine years ago and has been at Mountain View High School since 2006. He was nominated by a student, who expressed how Moore influenced his life. “He is more than an English teacher; he is a person who took the time to get to know me and someone who allowed me to get to know him. Because of that, I was challenged to meet the expectations he set and understood the confidence he had in me. English, and especially reading, has always been hard for me. Mr. Moore is the only teacher I ever talked to about the difficulties I have with reading,” the student wrote. “While he encouraged and supported me, he also expected a lot from me. A requirement in his class was to think deeply on a subject and not just give the easy answer. Doing that not only required me to read the books but also taught me how to take a stand on a position, even if it was not the perception everyone else had. An extended benefit of this process was learning more about the values that I use daily:  hard work, perseverance, and responsibility. Mr. Moore made class fun, pushed me, and helped me know more about myself and what I can do.”

Moore has been commended for his excellent relationships with students, bringing importance of life-long learning and academic achievement, excellent use of technology in his classroom and his leadership in the language arts department at Mountain View High School.

List of nominees