Join us for a special 2021 Minnetonka Schools Celebration of Excellence awards program, honoring several of the District's outstanding staff, teachers and community volunteers. The event, which will be livestreamed for the public, will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 13. A link to the 'live' program will be provided in advance by Minnetonka Schools in communications on the website, social media and with students, parents, staff and award recipients.

The program will include the 'live' presentation of awards, recorded interviews and feature videos of award honorees. It will be hosted by Superintendent Dr. Dennis Peterson. Those honored during the evening include:

MINNETONKA AWARDS FOR CHILD-CENTERED EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING

• Jonathan Westmeyer, Math Teacher, Minnetonka Middle School West
• Rebeccah MacDougal, Grade 6 Teacher, Minnetonka Middle School East
• Kristyn Roman, ESL Teacher, Minnetonka High School
• Matt Breen, Math Teacher & Teacher on Special Assignment, Minnetonka High School
• David Wicklund, Teacher on Special Assignment, Clear Springs Elementary
• Nicole Bailey, Grade 2 Teacher, Deephaven Elementary
• Keri Buisman, English Language Arts Teacher, Groveland Elementary
• Jean Saboe, Grade 2 Teacher, Excelsior Elementary
• Mabel Crandell, Reading Teacher, Spanish Immersion, Minnewashta Elementary
• Diane Daniels, Navigator Teacher, Scenic Heights Elementary
• Maria Johnson, ECFE/Preschool Teacher, Minnetonka Community Education

AWARD FOR CHILD-CENTERED EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING E-LEARNERS

• Diana Ortiz, Grade 4 Teacher, Spanish Immersion (ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AWARD)
• Anne Strong, Grade 6 Teacher (SECONDARY SCHOOLS AWARD)

MINNETONKA EMPLOYEE AWARDS FOR CHILD-CENTERED EXCELLENCE

• Annie Lumbar Bendson- Health Services Coordinator, Districtwide
• Jason Schuneman- Building Engineer, Minnewashta Elementary
• Maura Marko- Attendance Office Assistant, Minnetonka High School
• Cindy Crawford- IT Helpdesk Assistant
• Dalton Kite- IT Helpdesk Assistant and Database Support Technician, Districtwide
• Molly Bahneman- Explorers Program Manager, Minnetonka Community Education
• Cody Hallahan- Explorers Site Supervisor, Minnetonka Community Education
• Dave Bierly- Counselor and Counseling Department Chair, Minnetonka High School
• Marvin York- Paraprofessional, Groveland Elementary
• Samantha Vollmer- Paraprofessional, Minnetonka Middle School West

TEAM AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN COLLABORATION

• The Check and Connect Morning Show
  (This group includes the following e-learning teachers from MMW and MME: Michael Anderson, Josh Bakke, Else Goll, Sarah Gutierrez, Mo Haskamp, Jen Hazen, Amanda Leddy, Jim Malewig, Meghan Mullen, Katie Nelson, Tara Raisanen, Anna Schoeneberger, Katie Schulz, Anne Strong, Tyler Thiel, Rebecca Walling, Michael White and Courtney Ziebarth).

COMMUNITY EDUCATION VOLUNTEER/BUSINESS PARTNER AWARDS

• Business Partner of Year Award- Schmitt Music
• ECFE Award of the Year– Tim Byrne
• Youth Programs Award of the Year – Bonnie Voss
• Adult Programs Award of the Year– Connie Heuer

SPINNAKER AWARDS

• Mike Max- volunteer
• Veda Pai-Panandiker- volunteer
• Wayne Peterson- volunteer
• Cathy Rude- volunteer
• Amy Vohs- volunteer

VANTAGE GOLD PARTNERS

• Ann Senn
• David Stillman
• Chris Woodbury and Best Buy

CHARLIE PARNELL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION

• To be announced soon (check back!)

BRAD BOARD AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION

• To be announced soon (check back!)

JOYCE GUSTAFSON MEMORIAL AWARD

• To be announced soon (check back!)

AWARDS ANNOUNCED MAY 13

• Employee Service Awards honoring 20, 25, 30 and 35 years
• 2022 Minnesota Teacher of the Year Nominees

Please note: Due to COVID-19 spacing restrictions, we are not able to invite the public at large to the 'live' event. If spacing restrictions lighten or are lifted by the state, we will reconsider.
Regardless, the event will be livestreamed for all to watch 'live' the evening of the event. We will share the link for that as we get closer to the event.

If you have questions about the Celebration of Excellence Program, please contact JacQui Getty, executive director of communications for Minnetonka Schools at jacqui.getty@minnetonkaschools.org