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Each Monday during American Education Week, Luverne Education Association celebrates public education and honors two individuals whose focus is on students and receiving a quality education.
Fourth-grade teacher Lucinda Rofshus was selected as the 2021 Teacher of the Year and elementary paraprofessional Tina Petronek was named Friend of Education on Nov. 16.
However, the traditional gathering and ice cream social in the Luverne Elementary commons didn’t happen last week.
Instead, more than 80 connections were made via Zoom for the announcement and kick-off to the week’s recognition of the various work groups within the district.
Last year’s Teacher of the Year Dennis Moritz served as master of ceremonies for the 10-minute awards ceremony.
“It’s going to be a little different this year because of social distancing, and bear with us as we go through (via) Zoom,” he said.
The announcement of the 2021 Friend of Education was made earlier this month, and at the Nov. 16 Zoom presentation, Petronek participated from her computer in the elementary media center where she works. (See related story.)
From her monitor, a group of colleagues could be seen entering the media center to present Petronek with a bouquet of flowers and a plaque.
“We can’t give you a round of applause, Tina,” Moritz said. “We ask people to send a text, email or a chat to congratulate you. Again,
it’s well deserved.”
The Teacher of the Year announcement was conducted as a real-time surprise, with organizers lining up the recipient’s family for the presentation.
Rofshus could be seen watching the presentation in her classroom, while her family entered her room as Moritz made the announcement.
“Well, I am surprised,” Rofshus said to those watching via Zoom.
“This is a year that everybody has to work together. You can’t do it without your team — you can’t do it without family. I am just lucky I get to do this job every day with these kids, have fun, be silly. It’s the best job in the world most days.”
Read more about Rofshus in the related story.