Mitchell teacher wins state science award for distinguished service

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Mitchell High School science teacher Julie Olson added another honor to her list of professional accomplishments Saturday when she was presented with the South Dakota Science Teacher Association’s Distinguished Service Award.

The award was presented in Huron at a joint convention of math and science teachers by SDSTA outgoing president Molly TenBroek.

TenBroek, who teaches in the McIntosh School District, said the award recognizes Olson’s numerous contributions to the teaching profession.

Olson is the 33rd teacher to receive the award. Her name will be inscribed on a traveling plaque, which she gets to keep for a year.

She was also given another personal plaque as a keepsake.

“We really appreciate her,” TenBroek said.

Olson is the SDSTA president-elect and will take office in 2014. She will succeed newly elected SDSTA president Brenda Murphy, of Rapid City.

“Julie is the head of our outstanding biology teacher award committee, and she is the only teacher from South Dakota who is a member of the team writing the new national science standards,” TenBroek said.

“She’s always professional and she regularly gives entertaining presentations at gatherings of state science teachers.”

With all Olson has on her plate, TenBroek is amazed that Olson also finds time to be co-editor of the SDSTA newsletter.

“It’s an honor to be chosen by the leaders of the South Dakota Science Teachers Association to receive this award,” Olson said Tuesday. “It’s nice to know they recognize the work we do.”

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