Huge ‘Praise’ for teachers, coaches, kids
There was no shortage of praise for Minneota’s teachers and students at last Tuesday’s school board meeting. Kudos were handed out freely and frequently with high praise to the coaching staffs.
It began with Board Member Doug Spanton, he said, “Not just to the fall sports — but all coaches. We have a great group of coaches and they do a tremendous job of coaching,” Spanton said.
“We have high expectations of our kids. We are very spoiled with teachers we have. Other area schools want to do what we are doing — but they can’t,” said Principal Jeremy Frie.
When a group of FFA members paraded into the school board meeting to talk about their recent trip to the national FFA convention, they brought more praise from the board.
“It’s kids like that who are making Minneota so special,” said School Board Chairman Dawn Van Keulen.
The FFA students’ trip to Indianapolis for the National Convention was a time for learning, relaxation and surprise. “We got to hear a speech from Muhammad Ali’s daughter,” said FFA member Jodi Buysse.
That was just the start. They made stops at John Deere’s tractor museum, heard special music and several inspiring speeches. But it seemed the top memories came from meeting FFA members not only from all over the United States, but from other countries.
“My goal was to take pictures of jackets from every state and U.S. territory,” said Kira Gifford. She nearly did it, missing only a couple.
“Minnesota had the most kids of any state at the convention,” said the local FFAers. Advisor Garrett Moorse thanked the school board for allowing the students to miss school and travel to the convention.
And on it went!
“Next Thursday, WCCO is coming to our school to film the ‘flexible’ seating class of Heather Anderson,” said Principal Frie.
“That’s outstanding coverage for our school,” Frie added. Anderson got rid of the traditional desks and chairs and allows students to sit on sofas, comfortable chairs, or whatever creates a relaxing environment for them.
“When she started that we wondered how it would go but kept the desks nearby,” joked Principal Frie. Now, a couple years later the idea has spread to one other area school, Dawson-Boyd, and with WCCO putting it out there for everyone, it could become an even more fashionable idea.
But, back to coaching. Activities Director Matt Myrvik, who is a coach himself, got in on the act — telling the board this school district has exceptional coaches, in every sport and activity.
It’s not much wonder why the football team is in the state finals or the volleyball team pulled the upset of the year and drove to a second place finish at the state tournament.
As for the student athletes, both the Minneota volleyball and football teams have earned the “Gold Team Award” for scholastic excellence.
“Not only are they succeeding on the field but in the classroom as well,” said Myrvik. “They had an unbelievable GPA on the volleyball team,” Myrvik said.
“It was a great year for volleyball,” he said. When asked about the success of the football team Myrvik said, “This group of kids is probably the most improved, from day one, that I have seen in a long while.”
One example of athletes who take their studies seriously is quarterback Alex Pohlen. He was recently named to Class A All-Academic football team. He also was named Old Dutch Athlete of the Week.
Several other school board members applauded the efforts of Minneota’s teachers, coaches and students. Last week, during American Education Week, the administration showed their gratitude to the teachers with a luncheon and other events.
“This is why we’re having so much success, both on the field and in the classroom,” added Principal Frie.
IN OTHER action the board:
•Approved an open enrollment third grader from Marshall
•Approved family leave for Amber Rodas.
•Approved the following personnel changes: Betty Prellwitz as a part-time para-professional; Brenna Schuttler as a para-professional; Amber Rodas and Kaley Buysse as co-elementary student council advisors; Christy Opdahl as the elementary yearbook advisor and lane changes for Nicolle Johnston and Sara Boerboom plus the resignations of Margaritta Williams as a para-professional and Tyson Sonnenburg as the junior varsity baseball coach.
•Approved Aubree (Van Keulen) Cheadle as the spring play director for 2017-2018.
•Approved gifts of $2,000 from Pheasants Forever to be used by the Minneota Clay Target League team. Also accepted a gift of $1,000 from the family of Ordell Severson for the Minneota Robotics Team.
•Noted Teacher Heather Anderson is an intern for principal and is working toward that degree. Principal Jeremy Frie and Elementary Principal Jen Mahan-Deitte are interning for superintendent positions.