Sibley-Ocheyedan Teacher Honored at Banquet

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L to R: Iowa Farm Bureau Executive Director, Denny Presnall, Mike Earll, Iowa State Education Association Vice-President, Tammy Wawro

DES MOINES, IA (11/04/2009)(readMedia)-- Mike Earll, a Vocational Agriculture teacher at Sibley-Ocheyedan High School in Sibley has been named a runner-up for the 2009 Excellence in Education Award. The Award is sponsored by the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA), the Iowa Farm Bureau, WHO Radio, KDSM Fox 17, and STAPLES. Earll was among a top field of over 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. "All of the nominations are a testament to the dedication and compassion Iowa educators have for their students and demonstrate how educators go above and beyond the scope of their work and change the lives of the students they teach."

Agriculture education prepares a student to set goals, solve problems, make decisions, learn how to communicate, and work in a global economy, but it also teaches the value of leadership, cooperation, and community service-all attributes of Mike's. Many in Mike's classroom consider him a mentor in the field of agriculture since he has lead one of the largest FFA Chapters in the state with many students in his program continuing on to receive Iowa Farmer Degrees. Mike has even had some pursue the top award in the country, the American Farmer Degree, which claims many hours of paperwork and time for the overseeing instructor.

"The curriculum framework for agriculture, according to the Department of Education, reads like a 'Who's Who' in a leadership academy," said Bern. "Mike's dedication and devotion to his career is evident in the extra hours he puts in beyond the classroom and the students who respond to him. He goes above and beyond his duties as a teacher and reaches into what the education profession is all about-changing the lives of the students in his care."

Now in its eleventh year, the 2009 Excellence in Education Award honors the countless educators across the state that, like Mike Earll, go the extra mile to make a difference. Nominations were solicited beginning in August through September 16, and forms were available from the ISEA and at local county Farm Bureau offices.

Earll received a gift certificate from STAPLES during the awards ceremony and banquet on Tuesday, October 20, at the Hy-Vee Hall in downtown Des Moines, courtesy of the Iowa Farm Bureau.

The winner of the 2009 Excellence in Education Award is Nancy Kunickis, a Language Arts teacher at Laurens-Marathon Community Middle School in Laurens. Other runners-up are Annette Baker, an English teacher at South Hardin High School in Eldora; Tim Juhl, an Instrumental Music teacher at North Butler High School in Greene; and Sergeant Major Michael Matson, an Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp instructor at Davenport Central High School.

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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!