Few people are more popular at Adrian Public Schools than Dean Luethje, the district’s technology coordinator.
He was recently named the Adrian Education Association 2020-21 Friend of Education.
In 2015 Luethje transitioned from the corporate IT (information technology) world to a school setting with students and staff in the Adrian district.
He had an immediate impact on those whose jobs were made easier by Luethje’s training sessions, introduction of new technology and equipment in both the elementary and secondary schools.
“Since starting at Adrian Public Schools, he has worked his tail off to get technology up and going,” one of the nomination forms for Luethje read.
“Implementing hybrid and distance learning this year has added its own challenges that Dean is always ready to help with.”
Another commented, “Dean always has a very positive attitude, even with how difficult things have been lately for him in the world of technology. I appreciate his positive outlook and willingness to help with any and all of my technology needs.”
Luethje said every day brings new challenges.
“It can be difficult but it’s OK because every challenge conquered makes us that much better at our jobs,” he said.
“When you think about it, that’s what is supposed to happen every day in school — it’s not just students who come to learn new things.”
After graduating from LHS in 1974, Luethje studied at Minnesota West Community and Technical Colleges in Worthington and Jackson and at Moraine Park Technical College in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
Through the years he completed several specialized IT training programs including the NCR corporate training in New York.
“I believe education opens doors and provides us with the opportunity to discover and pursue those things in life that we can excel at and that fulfill our desire to make life better for ourselves and those whose lives we touch,” Luethje said.
“I’ve had the privilege of coming to work every day and using my knowledge and skills to help this incredible staff in some small way with the vitally important job of preparing our youth to inherit this nation and make this world a better place. I am inspired daily as I observe the hard work and dedication that educators put into their students.”
Luethje and his wife, DJ, live on an acreage near Luverne. The couple has eight children and eight grandchildren.