Vocational Agriculture teacher from Harlan honored by the Iowa State Education Association

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L to R: Leinen and Wawro

DES MOINES, IA (11/14/2012)(readMedia)-- Daniel Leinen, vocational agriculture teacher at the Harlan Community School District in Harlan, is a 2012 Excellence in Education Award runner-up. The award is sponsored by the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA), the Iowa Farm Bureau, WHO Radio, and KDSM Fox 17. Leinen was chosen among a top field of almost 80 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 Tammy Wawro, president of the ISEA. The nominations we receive are a testament to the dedication and compassion Iowa educators have for their students and the communities in which they live. Clearly, Iowa educators go above and beyond to help shape and, in many cases, to help change the lives of the students they teach."

Leinen's dedication and devotion to his profession is evident in the extra hours he puts in beyond the classroom and the student's responses to his efforts. Vocational agriculture prepares a student to set goals, solve problems, make decisions, learn how to communicate, and work in a global economy, and it also teaches the value of leadership, cooperation, and community service – all attributes exhibited by Lienen. Many of Lienen's students continue to receive top honors and go on to receive Iowa Farmer Degrees, among the toughest in the country.

"It's clear that Daniel's creativity, passion, and work in his community all combine to make a tremendous impact in his classroom and beyond and we applaud his achievement," said Denny Presnall, executive director of the Iowa Farm Bureau (IFBF). The Excellence in Education Award is about teachers like Daniel who are invested in the lives of their students and go beyond what is expected to make an educational experience for their students exceptional.

Now in its 13th year, the Excellence in Education Award honors educators around the state who make a difference in the classroom. Nominations are solicited beginning in September through October, and were available at local county Farm Bureau offices and through the ISEA.

Lienen, will receive a $100 gift from the ISEA during an awards ceremony and banquet on Monday, November 12 at the Hy-Vee Hall in downtown Des Moines, courtesy of the Iowa Farm Bureau.

The winner of the 2012 Excellence in Education Award is Kathryn Woerner, a social studies teacher at Vernon Middle School in Marion. Woerner received $1,000 and her school received $1,000 courtesy of the Iowa Farm Bureau. Other runners-up will also be honored and include Pam Anderson, a mathematics teacher at East Middle School, in Sioux City; Tracey Matt, an English teacher at Albia Community High School, in Albia; and Rhonda Mohl, an alternative education teacher, at Northeast Alternative School, in Goose Lake. All runners-up received a $100 courtesy of the ISEA.

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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 education for all Iowa students. Great Education......It's an Iowa Basic!