American Education Week, Nov. 15-21, spotlights the importance of providing every child in America with a quality public education, kindergarten through college, and the need for each one of us to do his or her part in making public schools great. This year's theme, Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility, calls upon America to provide students with quality public schools so that they can grow, prosper, and achieve in the 21st century. Take time this week to say thanks to the caring teachers, education support professionals, AEA staff and parents who make a difference in the lives and learning of children.
Ken Balster and Rebecca McDunn are the 2009 recipients of the Charles E. Lakin Outstanding Teacher award. Balster is a speech and theatre instructor at Clarinda High School. McDunn is a first grade teacher at Tri-Center Elementary. Each receives $10,000 and their school districts $2,500 each. Lakin is a philanthropist whose mission is to reward teachers who entice students to come to school each day and to emphasize the vital role of teachers in rural communities. Eligible teachers and counselors must be employed full-time, with a minimum of three years experience in the same school, in one of 25 school districts within a 40-mile radius of Emerson, IA, Lakin's hometown. School administrators and urban districts are excluded. Loess Hills Area Education Agency and KMA are sponsors of the award.