Elaine Harms accepted her "Teacher of the Year" plaque Monday on behalf of "the wonderful veterans and retirees who have paved the way and educated me in this district".
By Lori Ehde
Elaine Harms cried Monday when she accepted her plaque as the 2003 Teacher of the Year from her peers in the Luverne Education Association.
Her tears reflected a deep respect for the teaching profession and for the honor of being named Teacher of the Year.
During all of her years of teaching, Harms has also been a student, learning under the masters with experience.
"I accept this plaque for the wonderful veterans and retirees who have paved the way and educated me in this district," Harms said during her brief acceptance speech Monday.
"They’re the ones who taught me excellence in teaching. The learning here is exceptionally strong among our co-workers."
All members of Luverne’s Education Association are eligible to nominate one or more of their peers for the honor of Teacher of the Year.
The recipient is chosen by an LEA committee of former Teachers of the Year, based on nominations.
Harms received only one nomination this year, but the committee selected her for the award because she’s been nominated so many times in the past.
"Elaine Harms exemplifies all qualities of a great teacher and is an advocate for our school and community," said 2001 Teacher of the Year Bill Thompson.
"She works long hours, including many evenings and weekends, to ensure that her students succeed by using innovative and creative teaching methods and activities. … She makes reading great fun that develops into a lifelong activity."
Harms teaches 10th-grade English, but her award was based largely on her role with peer helpers, a program that involves students in helping teachers, administrations, other students and community organizations.
"As director of the peer helping program, she has helped students develop a sense of leadership, responsibility and helping others," Thompson wrote in his nomination.
Harms has earned her master’s degree and has attended many professional conferences in language arts and literature, and, Thompson wrote, she is a "positive influence in the community."
In addition to Thompson, the past five teachers of the year include Lisa Lundgren in 2002, Joel Swanson in 2000, Terry Althoff in 1999 and Shirley Harrison in 1998.