Westonka Presents Second Annual Awards for Teachers, Volunteers

May 13, 2016—In a special ceremony May 6 at Mound Westonka High School, MWHS teacher Sue Simonson was named 2016 Westonka Public Schools Teacher of the Year in front of a crowd of Westonka staff, school board members and community members. Also recognized were this year's building teachers of the year and recipients of the Ann Bremer White Hawks Award for community service: Sarah Reinhardt and Scott "Scotty B" Bjorlin.

Simonson Named Teacher of the Year

Representing each of the district's school buildings, the 2016 Westonka Teacher of the Year candidates were nominated by their colleagues for their exceptional commitment to student learning. Grandview Middle School teacher Julie Thomas, Shirley Hills Primary School teacher Dena Spanjers and Hilltop Primary School teacher Mindy Barrett were recognized along with Simonson.

The four teachers were also among the 115 candidates for 2016 Minnesota Teacher of the Year. Simonson and Thomas were two of only 34 teachers to reach the semifinalist level of the statewide award this year. In a video by 2015 MWHS graduate Brock Locker, the audience got an inside look at the Teacher of the Year nominees.

A committee of administrators and staff selected Simonson as the district’s second Teacher of the Year based on her accomplishments and efforts this school year. Simonson has proven an innovative leader at MWHS, particularly with the school's Westonka Tech Interns course and award-winning DECA program.

"We are blessed by the opportunities afforded to us in this district," Simonson said upon receiving her award. "Our leaders truly want what's best for our kids, and I want to thank them for their support."

Reinhardt, Bjorlin Honored for Community Service

A selection committee made up of Westonka School Board and staff/community members selected Reinhardt and Bjorlin as the 2016 recipients of the Ann Bremer White Hawks Award. The purpose of the annual community award is to recognize exceptional service to the Westonka Schools community. The award was named in honor of the long-time school board member, who "embodies the spirit of the award," according to Superintendent Kevin Borg.

The community members selected this year 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. Reinhardt received four separate nominations for her work as a photography volunteer for White Hawks athletics and for her ongoing support of the Future Cities program at Grandview. Bjorlin was nominated for his numerous contributions to Hilltop Primary School—including chaperoning the annual Wolf Ridge trip, providing food for teacher appreciation celebrations and volunteering as a reading and math tutor—and to the school district as a whole.

Another video by Locker highlighted the two winners’ volunteer efforts and ongoing support of Westonka Schools.