Osceola Teacher Honored at Awards Banquet

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L to R Presnall, Smith, Bern

DES MOINES, IA (12/06/2010)(readMedia)-- Bonnie Smith, a seventh-grade reading teacher at Clarke Community School in Osceola, has been named a 2010 Excellence in Education Award runner-up. The award is sponsored by the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA), the Iowa Farm Bureau, WHO Radio, KDSM Fox 17, and STAPLES. Smith was among a top field of 50 teachers all nominated by colleagues, students, parents, and community members because of the difference they make every day in the lives of Iowa's schoolchildren.

"This award is truly about recognizing the educators who work hard on a daily basis and rarely get the recognition they so richly deserve," said Chris Bern, president of the ISEA. "When we find out about an educator like Bonnie and actually hear firsthand from the student she helped guide, we know we've got a real gem in the classroom" Bern added. "I can't think of a better reward than to have a student return after years out of the classroom and still remember the special teacher who helped them when they were struggling. Bonnie is an inspiration to all of us and she epitomizes what this award is all about -- making an impact on students and helping shape them for the better. We are so proud she is a part of our profession and we're honored to give her this award," Bern said.

"The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) is proud to be a part of honoring those who devote their lives to guiding and shaping young minds; teachers, together with parents, provide the building blocks for the next generation of leaders. Bonnie is the kind of teacher who exemplifies not just her profession, but the very ideals our organization holds dear; hard work, dedication and integrity," said IFBF Executive Director, Denny Presnall.

Now in its 11th year, the 2010 Excellence in Education Award honors the countless educators across the state, like Bonnie Smith, who go the extra mile to make a difference. Smith received a $100 gift certificate from STAPLES during an awards ceremony and banquet on Thursday, November 18, at the Polk County Convention Complex in downtown Des Moines, courtesy of the Iowa Farm Bureau.

The winner of the 2010 Excellence in Education Award is Mark Erickson, a third-grade teacher at Inman Primary School in Red Oak. Other runners-up included Kevin Cooper, an agriculture and natural resources teacher at Nevada High School in Nevada; Betty Dittrich, a fifth-grade teacher at Eldora-New Providence Elementary in Eldora; and Traci Nalevanko, a sixth-grade teacher at May Goodrell Middle School in Des Moines.

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The ISEA is a professional organization made up of more than 34,000 educators who are dedicated to supporting and protecting a quality public education for all Iowa students. Great Education. It's an Iowa Basic!