Posted 5/16/01
Lofboom is among 20 award winners for outstanding teaching performance
Debra Lofboom is a graduate of North Branch High School. After earning her bachelor of science degree at St. Cloud State University, she began teaching fifth grade at McKinley Elementary School, a position she has held for 29 years.
Lofboom is a grade level chairperson, a mentor and a member of the Building Leadership Team at McKinley. She regularly involves students in community service projects such as the Penny Wednesday Project in which her students have raised more than $10,000 for the Alexandra House womenís shelter over the past six years. He students also rake lawns for elderly people living near the school.
Lofboom was recently nominated by the Anoka-Hennepin School district for the Teacher Outstanding Performance (TOP) Award and was chosen from the 60 nominated to be one of 20 winners selected for recognition with this award.
Initiated through a three-year grant from the Medtronic Foundation, the TOP awards program is now funded through Anoka-Hennepin School Dist. 11 and the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation.
The program, now in its fourth year, is designed to involve parents, students and community members in recognizing exemplary teachers and rewarding them for their efforts.
Each of the 20 winners received up to $600 to attend a workshop or conference of his/her choice and through an interview process, four of the winners received a $1,000 grant for a project at their school.
Outside of school, Lofboom is involved at Fish Lake Lutheran Church where she teaches Sunday School and Bible School and works with Aid Association for Lutherans.