By Lori EhdeRenee Sawtelle is a part-time employee of the Luverne Elementary School, but she’s a full-time supporter of the district, its students and its staff.Sawtelle was named the 2005 Friend of Education by the Luverne Education Association during a ceremony Monday afternoon."To have a person like Renee floating around helping us is absolutely invaluable," said Luverne kindergarten teacher Shirley Harrison.She said Sawtelle’s list of volunteer contributions is too long to itemize. "She’s volunteered literally hundreds of hours for teachers and students."Sawtelle is particularly involved in activities of the elementary booster club, Parents: Partners In Education.She also helps with major annual science projects, such as the rain forest and the solar dome, and she assists with music programs, finding props and costumes where needed.Sawtelle’s acceptance speech was short because her Girl Scouts troop was waiting for her at a meeting scheduled at the same time as Monday’s ceremony."For what I’ve done here, I appreciate the teachers even more," she said. "They do so much for my children, and I’m just glad I can help them."Sawtelle and her husband, Tom, have six children ranging in age from 6 to 17. "We have two in high school, two in middle school and two in elementary school," she said.With her youngest child in kindergarten, Sawtelle said she has extra time now to volunteer."The teachers have an awful lot of work to do. They put in a lot more than eight-hour days," she said. "Just think of the material your child brings home from school, and multiply that times all the other kids … I think our biggest classroom has 28 kids. It’s a lot of work."For example, Sawtelle said she helps teachers get materials ready for art and craft projects, which is time-consuming.In addition to recognizing a need, Sawtelle said she helps because she enjoys being at school."I get such a kick out of some of the kids," she said. "And they grow up so fast."Sawtelle was recently hired by the district to help on the playground and in the copy room a few hours a day, but Harrison said Sawtelle works far beyond the hours she’s paid for."She puts in way more hours in the copy room than she’s supposed to, making sure it all gets done for the teachers," Harrison said."She’s a person who’s really made a difference in our school. Many thanks to Renee Sawtelle, our Friend of Education."