Longtime educator named district’s Teacher of the Year

Mitchell High School social studies teacher Mel Olson, now in his 28th year with the district, was named the district’s Teacher of the Year at a recognition banquet Thursday evening.

Teaching colleague Steve Morgan said Olson specializes in “edutainment” and has a unique blend of scholarship and teaching skill.

“He gets kids involved,” said MHS Principal Yvonne Palli. “No one is ever bored.” She said students regularly compete for slots in Olson’s classes.

Olson, who was directing the spring drama “Incognito” at the high school, wasn’t present to accept his award.

Olson was one of numerous district employees recognized during the 28th annual Employee Recognition Banquet, held at Dakota Wesleyan University’s Sherman Center.

The theme of the banquet was “A Legacy of Excellence.” Emcee Julie Brookbank said the staff members honored had made “excellence a habit.”

Superintendent Joe Graves, in his introduction of retiring curriculum director Marilyn Forst, paid homage to Forst’s father, longtime Longfellow Elementary School custodian Ralph Miller. Of Forst, who also served as principal of Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary, Graves said “she has chalk dust in her blood.” He said the knack her dad had in relating to kids every day at his humble job was passed to his daughter.

“Your dad would be proud,” he said.

Myron Sonne, who is retiring from the Agriculture Technology Department at Mitchell Technical Institute after 40 years, thanked others for their support and joked that rumors that he “came with the building” were not true. Sonne said his first teaching contract in 1967 was worth $5,000.

“If you don’t enjoy your work, you’re in the wrong profession,” he said.

Other nominated teachers for Teacher of the Year were Darci Winthers, Mitchell Middle School; Amanda Chada, L.B. Williams Elementary; Julie Reichert, Longfellow Elementary; and Angela Neugebauer, Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary.

It was also announced Thursday that Dave VerSteeg was, earlier in the day, selected as Mitchell Technical Institute’s Teacher of the Year.

Following are lists of other district employees honored Thursday evening.

Retirees: Janice Anderson, MHS food service; Janet Edwards, special services, Mitchell Middle School; Bob Hilton, seventh grade science; Larry Hostler, agriculture technology, MTI; Mitzie Johnson, paraeducator, Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary; and Bob Pollreisz, custodian, GBR.

Longevity awards: 40 years: Myron Sonne; 30 years: Jocy Huck, Marcy Jones, Tom Starr; 25 years: Carol Hieb, Deborah Olson, Bob Pollreisz, Dianne Roth, Dave VerSteeg and Patty VerSteeg; 20 years: Roger Carlson, Donna Ellingson, Sharon Johnson, Joyce Olinger and Lee White; 15 years: Kelli Barnhart-Baysinger, Cindy Broski, Tracy Christensen, Linda Deinert, Deb Everson, Kathy Ewing, Scott Fossum, Ron Grimsley, John Heemstra, Corinne Hoffman, Sherry Pierson, Mike Sweeney, Norma Tuttle, Sandy Walker and Darci Winthers.

Other honors: Craig Mock, MHS, was chosen as Area Assistant Principal of the Year; Tricia Neugebauer, MHS, was recipient of the Outstanding Biology Teacher for South Dakota; Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary School was recognized by the state Department of Education as a Distinguished School for the sixth consecutive year; L.B. Williams and Mitchell High were recognized as distinguished schools for the second year; the LBW staff donated $11,855 to various charities by collecting “Blue Jeans on Friday” donations; and Tom Berg of MHS was selected as the Carl Sprunger Outstanding Educator at the Rotary Scholars Banquet.

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