President Jamie Boersma called the meeting to order at 12:07pm and asked Andy Erickson to provide our inspirational message which recognized the Outstanding Teacher Awards with a message to engage all others on a “Learn and Confirm” basis. He then led the pledge of allegiance and Four Way Test.
President Jamie announced the visiting Rotarians and Guests and recognized John & Jane Lorenson for agreeing to serve as the first host family for our visiting Rotarian International Exchange Student and requested that anyone interested in being the 3rd Host family in the spring of 2019, please contact her or Kitte Noble.
Jamie next recognized IR President Ian Riesling’s “Plant for the Future”
challenge to each club to plant a tree and introduced Richard Leopold, chief executive of the Polk Co. Conservation Board, who pitched the “Century Tree” Project for enhancing Easter Lake that was a coal mine 100 years ago, then a garbage dump for the City of DSM before becoming a lake. Donate $40 for a hardwood tree that will last over 100 years and come to Easter Lake on Saturday
May 12th between 9am and 12pm to plant your tree if you like.
Jamie then asked Dale Vande Haar to MC the 2018 Educator of the Year Awards.
Dale called Superintendent Dr. Tom Ahart to the podium whose brief remarks stressed the diversity of the students and teachers in the DM Public Schools and thanked DM Rotary for their support of teachers via the Outstanding Teacher Awards at the system’s three levels for the past 20 years, noting the winner receives $1,000 and their name on a plaque containing the names/schools of previous winners that stays in the teacher’s school for a year.
Dr. Barbara Adams, principal of Findley Elementary on DM’s North Side introduced Lisa Hesse, an Arts Teacher who thanked Rotary, her colleagues and students for the success of her program promoting student art, poetry and music which generates exceptional confidence and enthusiasm.
Thomas Hoffman, principal of Brody Middle School on DM’ South Side introduced Davena Johnson, a Math teacher who also thanked Rotary her colleagues and her mentors whose legacy she hoped that she was passing on.
Kevin Biggs, Roosevelt HS principal introduced Stephanie Fowler and praised her outstanding teaching in the “Flex Academy” at TRHS which has kept many students in school.
President Jamie then recognized the importance of public education and rang the bell.