By Lori Ehde
New Luverne Teacher of the Year Bill Thompson loves his job for the same reason his students love his classes.
"It's all hands-on work, and we get to be creative," he said Monday. "The technology is always changing, and it's a challenge to come up with new projects. It's never boring as some lecture-based classes. It's creating, and we do such a wide variety of projects."
Since fall 1992 Thompson has taught high school graphic arts and seventh-grade technology education.
In graphic arts, students learn screen printing, desktop publishing and offset printing. Seventh-grade technology education includes problem solving projects such as bridge building, mousetrap-powered cars, CO2 dragsters, drafting and screen printing.
Thompson was honored Monday by his peers in the Luverne Education Association as the 2001 Teacher of the Year.
"It means a lot coming from your peers," he said. "It's nice to be recognized and noticed."
Thompson's peers had nice things to say about him in their nominations.
"He has turned around that Industrial Tech program in his years here," said Joel Swanson, last year's Teacher of the Year. "He is a positive influence on our kids and in our community."
Dennis Moritz had this to say about Thompson: "Bill does a fantastic job as a teacher here at Luverne. His graphic arts program more than prepares students for the world of work. He is very innovative in his teaching methods, organized and is very patient."
An unsigned nomination read, "His students have a great deal of respect for him and take pride in the projects and assignments he provides for them."
Another one, unsigned, said, "Bill spends more of his own time trying to meet the demands of his students along with many of the staff. He does this with the most professional manner and willingness. His attitude is remarkable, always a smile on his face. He brings credibility and accountability to all of his programs. He has and will continue to go the extra mile."
Thompson said he appreciates the recognition, but he said the district has been good to him, too.
"If you have a good program, the Luverne School District supports the program you have, whether its science or industrial technology," he said, pointing out that when his program needs new equipment, the administration has been generous in allowing it.
"This is a good school and a good area. We're from the Twin Cities and people ask us why we came here. It's because it's a great school system and a positive, progressive community."
Thompson said the job itself has its own rewards.
"Many of the students do well here because of the hands-on nature of the courses and that they create personalized projects. Some of the kids that struggle in other areas find that they can succeed here because learning can be fun, too," he said.
"It's not just a class for fun. It's a class where they learn possible career choices and computer-based skills as well. The computer and related technology has pretty much revolutionized the printing industry and how we teach."
The industrial tech and graphic arts program used to suffer from low student participation. "My first year here, I had probably 45-50 high school kids in my classes. In recent years, it's been well over 100 students. Sometimes students who register late don't get in."
Thompson said part of the appeal may be the finished, personalized products the students get to take with them, such as graduation announcements, thank-you cards and business cards.
T-shirts are also popular projects, especially those designed for Luverne athletic teams.
Thompson said much of what he's learned about students and teaching has come from current and recently retired teachers in Luverne. "All the veteran teachers who have retired in the last few years have really been helpful," he said.
Nominations for Teacher of the Year are invited from all LEA members, and the new Teacher of the Year is decided by the past five Teachers of the Year.
Last year, Joel Swanson was so honored, in 1999 it was Terry Althoff, in 1998 Shirley Harrison, in 1997 Russ Schneider and in 1996 Louise Berg.
This is the fifth year Thompson has been nominated for the award.