Westonka Names Teacher of the Year, Honors Dedicated Community Members

May 15, 2015—The Westonka School District recognized the first recipients of two new awards in a special ceremony May 8 at Mound Westonka High School. Grandview Middle School teacher Ali LaLonde was named 2015 Westonka Teacher of the Year in front of a crowd of Westonka staff, school board members and community members. Also recognized were the first three recipients of the Ann Bremer White Hawks Award for community service: Bill LaTour, Randy Lee and Sharon Thaler.

LaLonde Named Teacher of the Year

Representing each of the district's school buildings, the 2015 Westonka Teacher of the Year candidates were nominated by their colleagues for their exceptional commitment to student learning. Mound Westonka High School teacher Sarah Morinville Smith, Shirley Hills Primary School teacher Karen Olaussen and Hilltop Primary School teacher Craig Schmidt were recognized along with LaLonde.

In a video by MWHS senior Brock Locker, MWHS staff, students and community members shared stories that gave the audience an inside look at the Teacher of the Year nominees. The four candidates were also among the 123 candidates for Minnesota Teacher of the Year this year. 

A committee of administrators and staff selected LaLonde as the district’s first Teacher of the Year based on her accomplishments and efforts this school year. In her nomination of LaLonde, Grandview teacher Jessica Lunski wrote, "Ali goes out of her way to make sure [her students] feel part of the Grandview community ... The differentiation in her classroom is amazing. She plans lessons for many learning levels each day. I would easily classify Ali's job as the most challenging in the building, and she handles all aspects of her job professionally."

"The committee had a very difficult decision in selecting Westonka’s first Teacher of the Year," said Superintendent Kevin Borg. "I want to personally thank Ali for the compassion and devotion she demonstrates in her work each day. We are blessed to have her in Westonka."

LaTour, Lee and Thaler Honored for Community Service

A selection committee made up of Westonka School Board and staff/community members selected LaTour, Lee and Thaler as the first recipients of the annual community award. The purpose of the award is to recognize exceptional service to the Westonka Schools community.

The district received a total of 23 nominations for 17 groups or individuals in the inaugural year of the award. The three community members selected are leaders in positively impacting the lives and experiences of Westonka students and their families and advancing the mission and vision of the school district.

At the awards ceremony, Borg explained that the Westonka School Board decided to change the name of the community award to the Ann Bremer White Hawks Award in honor of the long-time school board member. “Ann Bremer embodies Westonka spirit and service, and the annual award will be a testament to her commitment to our school community,” Borg said.

Another video by Locker highlighted the three winners’ volunteer efforts and ongoing support of Westonka Schools. Each has supported the district financially as well as by volunteering time and energy to support sports and music programs, co-curricular activities, school fundraisers and trips, student/staff celebrations, community organizing efforts and more.

“Even though we had several outstanding nominees for the Ann Bremer White Hawks Awards, the volunteer efforts of these three individuals truly stood out,” said Borg. “Bill, Randy and Sharon have given so much time, money and energy to support our students and staff. This recognition is long overdue.”