By Aaron Vehling

Sunrise River School, the new 135,000-square foot elementary facility in the North Branch School District, hosted one of its first events Friday morning.

School board members, district staff and teachers gathered to honor 6th-grade teacher Rick Lofboom as Teacher of the Year. School board members also presented service awards and recognized some retiring staff members.

Sixth-grade teacher Doniver Ahlm presented Lofboom, who is retiring this year, with a film strip projector gilded in gold paint, referencing Lofboomís affinity for film strips and proceeded to practice the art of the customary roasting of the teacher of the year.
ìRick is so organized he has third trimester grades ready for open house (in the fall),î Ahlm said.

Ahlm, who met Lofboom while both men were studying at St. Cloud State University, lauded Lofboom for his dedication to teaching and recognized that sometimes the job can be tough.

ìThe number one goal on some days is survival,î he said.

Mary Jo Ahlgren, retiring board chairperson, also had kind words about Lofboom.

ìWhen I think about the role he has played in the lives of so many people ... I thank him for his commitment,î she said. ìI thank his family for sharing him.î

Lofboom, grinning, accepted the film strip projector and thanked administrators, his family and sixth-grade teachers for the honor.
ìI am humbled by the staff and Iíll miss you all,î he said.

Also at the ceremony, retiring staff members were recognized and current staff members were honored for their years of service.
Acknowledgement of retirees: Mary Jo Ahlgren, school board; Sandra Johnson, computer lab paraprofessional; Karen Lodin, ECFE/preschool teacher; Rick Lofboom, teacher; Jack Scudder, bus driver; Bob Stepaniak, superintendent; Michael Trok, high school principal; Judy Zak, tech support.

15 years of service: Paula Anderson, paraprofessional; Sharon Bowman, custodian; Marilyn Fagerness, teacher; Diane Higley, computer lab manager; Mary LaValle, computer lab manager/media clerk; Nancy Nadeau, teacher; Terry Noren, sibling care worker; Diane Perrault, paraprofessional; Julia Roman, teacher; Angela Weness, ECFE parent educator; Lori Zimmerman, ALC director.

20 years of service: Betty Ambers, ECFE parent educator; Charles Bettendorf, teacher; Bill Burton, director of transportation and grounds; Mishelle Forstrom, teacher; Muffy Hejny Guptill, teacher; Steven Klinkhammer, mechanic; Steven Ogren, teacher; Mark Savage, teacher; Daniel Schindler, teacher; Connie Sederberg, transportation secretary; Eunice Whipps, bookkeeper; Robert Ziegler, teacher.

25 years of service: Judy Christenson, building behavior technician; Denise Dahl, teacher; Kerry Moberg, early childhood program coordinator; Barry Roles, teacher; Diane Vacinek, health office clerk.

30 years of service: Becky Leuer, activities director; Mary Jo Pohlkamp, teacher.

35 years of service: Joyce Weidendorf, paraprofessional.

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