By Lori EhdeThis week, Nov. 16-22, is American Education Week, and it’s a time when schools across the nation take time to recognize accomplishments and honor individuals who contribute to excellence.In Luverne, it means a new Teacher of the Year and Friend of Education are named, and this year those individuals are school volunteer Dianne Ossenfort and first-grade teacher Sandy Klosterbuer.Ossenfort isFriend of EducationEducator Diane Robinson introduced Ossenfort as a person with a “wide-eyed smile and a contagious laugh that could sweeten even the most sour of grapes.”She described Ossenfort’s volunteerism as the key reason for being named Friend of Education.“She delights in people and shares in any way imaginable,” Robinson said. “One cannot out-give Dianne. She’s the best cheerleader our school could hope to have.”She listed Ossenfort's efforts with peer helpers, Blandin Luverne Youth, Green Earth Players, Tri-State Band Festival, Music Boosters, high school talent contest, Winter Fest parade, Dollars for Scholars, Bookin’ Buddies, Family Reading Night, high school band trip and playing Mrs. Claus in Hardwick as valuable contributions to both the community and the school system.“We appreciate who you are, Dianne, and what you do,” Robinson said Monday.Ossenfort accepted the award with teary eyes. “The reason for the volunteerism is a way to say thank you for all you have done for Rodger and myself and our boys,” she said.“I think our boys are where they are today because of you educators. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”She described an earlier conversation when she was told of her new title.“It is such an honor,” she said. “When I got the phone call — if you can believe this — I was speechless.”Klosterbuer is Teacher of the YearElementary teacher Shirley Harrison introduced Klosterbuer as Teacher of the Year.“This year’s recipient has made it her mission to be a good writing teacher and has spent hours researching, reading and trying different approaches in her teaching of writing,” Harrison said.She said Klosterbuer has been involved in the community and church, and has taught in Luverne for 20 years, earning her master’s degree a few years ago.Teacher of the Year is named each year by peers in the Luverne Education Association.Fellow first-grade teacher Lisa Lundgren said Klosterbuer is a valuable team player.“Sandy continually tries to improve her teaching and is always searching for a creative and effective way to reach the students in her classroom,” Lundgren said.“She is willing to share ideas with her colleagues and is … definitely a team player, working effectively with children and adults alike.” One of the nomination letters said Klosterbuer is “always willing to share ideas, brainstorm and work on a better approach to something. She is not afraid to speak up for the educational issues she feels strongly about.”Another wrote, “she is a dedicated, creative teacher. She is willing to put in many extra hours to help our school and its children.”Accepting the award Monday, Klosterbuer thanked educators who worked with her growing up in Luverne.“I’m so proud to be a teacher here, as most of you know,” she said. “I grew up in Luverne and feel I’ve had the best education possible here. We have a team of wonderful educators here. … Thank you for this honor. It means so much to me.”Ossenfort and Klosterbuer were recognized in an American Education Week program at 3:30 p.m. Monday in the elementary school commons.It’s sponsored by Luverne Education Association, Luverne Public Schools and the Luverne High School Student Council.
