Staff of the Year nominations resulted in a tie. The first award went to Nacia Olson of Rose ALC in Owatonna. Nacia is an active representative of MAAP within her school, coordinating her school’s MAAP Stars program, student council, and working with both the night and independent study programs. From coordination to grant writing, there are very few initiatives at Rose ALC that do not have her fingerprints on them.
The other Staff of the Year was awarded to Sheri Blasing of Mankato Central High ALC. Shari’s career is an ongoing example of active leadership: she serves on multiple accountability and curriculum initiatives, and her leadership has significantly improved the MBST passage and class completion rates. She has done so through innovation, dedication, and multidisciplinary focus.
The Special Program of the Year was awarded to St. Croix Valley Kids Safety Camp, a cooperative venture between the St. Croix Valley ALC and the district Early Childhood Education department. Since 1999, ALC students have partnered with ECFE staff to teach basic school and community safety skills to pre-kindergarten students, including many children with learning disabilities.
There was no overall Program of the Year award presented this year, which presenter Greg Herder interpreted as an overall sign of respect for the important work that goes on in all MAAP programs.
Other nominees included:
For Student of the Year:
Jesse Saavedra, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage ALC: Jesse Saavedra embodies what an alternative student should be: willing to take risks, face his business, and lead. Jesse has progressed from poor attendance and failing all his classes to being on track to graduate this year.
Aurora Medina, SHAPE Under-21, Bloomington: Aurora is a dedicated leader in her program, showing a quiet confidence and self-possession. She will graduate on time in 2006.
For Staff of the Year
Linda Gibbs, English Teacher, Urban League Academy, Minneapolis: Ms. Gibbs stands as the most innovative teacher at Urban League Academy, with a “tough love” approach to student expectations and responsibility. She also goes beyond the call in working to ensure that Urban League students have nutritional resources at their disposal.
Teresa Harrold, American Indian OIC, Minneapolis: As coordinator of a Youth Employment and Training Program, and of a Health Careers Pathway, Teresa has quietly worked to support the youth of south Minneapolis: nearly 175 students, mostly women, have received their certification as Nursing Assistants.
Tamra Sieve, Principal, SHAPE Under 21 Program, Bloomington: A leader of vision and energy, Tamra Sieve has heralded the transition at Shape-21 from a struggling, competency based program to a strong, credit-based, innovative program.
For Special Program/Initiative of the Year
Children’s Theater, Centennial ALC: Julie Cross and Barb O’Neill have worked to transition their theater program towards a service-learning model and, each year, their students produce a play from a children’s book and take it out into the community.
ALC Insider, Online Student Paper, Worthington ALC: The ALC Insider exemplifies the technological opportunities available to alternative school students. Please check it out at www.isd518.net/ALC/news/home.htm.
Student Adventure Leadership Training (SALT), Volunteers of America and Edina High Schools, Minneapolis: A model example of partnership between alternative and traditional education, SALT trains students in leadership and teamwork skills by taking inner city and suburban youth into the woods and out of their comfort zone.
Mosaic Curriculum, Shape Under 21 Program, Bloomington: The Mosaic courses are newly created, required courses in wellness, financial, and career planning that smooth the transition from high school to the “real world.” Students must complete these courses and an e-folio to graduate from Shape Under-21.
401 Leadership Class, Carver Scott Educational Cooperative: A service learning and leadership class, 401 Leadership students engage in self-directed and planned projects that impact their school and their community. Two of their students serve as representatives to Leadership Chaska, a mostly adult planning committee. Their projects range from Hurricane Relief efforts to homeless care initiatives. ]]>
