Resource Training & Solutions honored 146 educators from Central Minnesota at the 2023 Leadership in Educational Excellence Award Banquet, which took place on Wednesday, October 25, 2023.

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The event was hosted at the St. Cloud River's Edge Convention Center on October 25, 2023, with doors opening at 4:30 p.m. and Welcoming over 430 guests from 38 different school districts.

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The ceremony commenced with a warm welcome address from Mark Schmitz, Executive Director of Resource Training & Solutions. Ken Anderson, Chair of the Resource Training & Solutions’ Board of Directors, also conveyed his congratulations to the honorees. The evening's entertainment was provided by The String Showdown, an interactive dueling string duo featuring bandmates Mike Lauer and Greg Byers. Following this captivating performance, Dr. Laurie Putnam, Superintendent of the St. Cloud Area School District, delivered a congratulatory speech to the honorees and presented the awards.

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View photos from the event >>

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Member districts and schools across Resource's central Minnesota region nominate award recipients. Selection can be based on knowledge of subject matter, leadership in curriculum development, and making a difference in the lives of students, staff, and the community. View the suggested criteria for selecting an honoree.

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Resource Training & Solutions partners with participating school districts to sponsor the Leadership in Educational Excellence Award Ceremony. Shari Fruechte, Events and Administrative Coordinator, and the Learning and Development team at Resource Training & Solutions coordinate the event.

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2023 LEEA Award Recipients:



Albany School District

Kathy Conrad

Cassie Gertken

Stephanie Stang

Paula Van der Hagen

Annandale School District

Riley Bates

Michelle Macalena

Scott Massmann

Courtney Ortmann

Becker School District

Matt Eigen

Jill Johnson

Jen Panek

Corrie Wiechmann

Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa School District

Katie Hanna

Erin Koshiol

Benton Stearns Education District

Becky Wenner

Big Lake School District

Diane Bergstrom

Alisha Brust

Courtney Guldseth

Braham School District

Kristi Lee

Kelsey McFarland

Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose School District

Katie Deneen

Natalie Johnson

Josh Ortmann

Kimarie Tacke

Dassel-Cokato School District

Martha Christensen

Deborah Geddes

Holly Niska

Cheyann Opsahl

Delano School District

Meredith Huikko

Rachael Mathews

Lora Voight

Mandy Weinandt

East Central School District

Rod Erickson

Bill Groskreutz

Trent Hippen

Deanna Sikkink

Eden Valley-Watkins School District

Stephanie Borscheid

Holly Hansen

Foley School District

Daniel Carlson

Neena Faith

Amy Kipka

Hinckley-Finlayson School District

Shawnda Jibben

Austin Lick

Vera Meyer

Joe Ranger

Holdingford School District

Hannah Carlson

Lynn Nelson

April Theis

Tara Wolford

Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted School District

Andy Hertwig

Hailey Krueger

Isle School District

Lori Anderson

Emily Wagner

Kaleidoscope Charter School

Pam Davis

Stacy Dorry

Kimball School District

Stacie Braun

Taylor Heitke

Maple Lake School District

Chad Elston

Marty Kiebel

Samantha Nissen

Melissa Pearson

Meeker and Wright Special Education Cooperative

Marie Erickson

Emily Hilbelink

Monticello School District

Georgia Docherty

Ana Dominguez

Kari Green

Shelly Nikolas

Jessie Teigland

Mora School District

Audri Black Erickson

Deb Bursell

Kirsten Mace

Sara Miller

North Branch School District

Denise Besch

Mary Christopherson

Vicki Klun

Amy Randall

Ogilvie School District

Stephanie Bekius

Sandra Haeg

Tanner Hagglund

Rebecca Rittenour

Paynesville Area Schools

Anita Flanders

Mary Leyendecker

Pine City School District

Jeff Adams

Kyle Allen

Joanne Blake

Deanna Jahnz

Brenda Kloeckl

Brenda Pulju

Princeton School District

Sara Beck

Tiffany Glaser

Erin Krueger

Janna Ruzek

Laura Skluzacek

Rockford Area Schools

Julie Merila

Bonnie Wilts

Krissy Yaedke

ROCORI School District

Jill Blomdahl Skanson

Amanda Rosengren

Jacob Zetah

Sauk Centre School District

Todd Broich

Julianna Burkey

Kearina Maher

Sauk Rapids-Rice School District

Leeann Erickson

Aaron Johnson

Emilee McGarthwaite

Marissa Winkelman

Louise Ziegler

St Cloud Area School District

Polly Alessio

Nicole Almberg

Charlie Arnzen

Sara Bauer-Sand

Jennifer Dilts

Lauren Ergen

Deana Hausmann

Daniel Heinen

Sara Hoffman

Kevin Kieke

Julie Krebs

Jill Matuska

Leah Nikodym

Jeana Olson

Molly Penk

Betsy Reese

Jennifer Russell

Katie Simacek

Linda Snowberg

Laura Steabner

Kris Stuckey

Konie Theisen-Brudwick

Aaron Voronyak

Sydney Vossler

Eric Wilcox

Tingting Zheng

St Michael-Albertville District

David Burr

Gayle Dahlke

Wendy Rehnstrand

LeAnn Wimmer

STRIDE Academy

Kayla Silverberg

Watertown-Mayer District

Angela Eick-Eliason

Nick Urban

Bekah Wagner-Minar

Melinda Young

West Central Education District

Glen Hoppe

Tracy Tamillo

Willow River School District

Teresa Joyal

Ashley Keur

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For more information please contact Shari Fruechte, Events & Administrative Coordinator at sfruechte@resourcecoop-mn.gov.