Congratulations to Sue Stang (Gr 2), Paulette Dreissig (Gr 3), Al Tripp (HS English), and Barb Westman (HS English) for being selected by their peers for the Leadership in Educational Excellence Award. These teachers represent the quality and commitment of many of area teachers and it is nice that they can be recognized this year.

The Leadership in Educational Excellence Award is sponsored by Resource Training and Solutions.

The recipients attended a banquet in St Cloud on Oct. 26 to receive their awards.

Paulette Dreissig

I began teaching in the Rush City School District in 1971. Prior to that, I received my AA degree from Mesabi State Junior College in Virginia, Minn. and my BS degree in elementary education with a kindergarten/early childhood endorsement from St. Cloud State University.

Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be a teacher. My love of children and my desire to make a difference in their lives has always motivated me to challenge my students to become the best they can be intellectually, socially, emotionally and physically.
I have been fortunate in my 34 years of teaching to work with students in grades K-6. I began my teaching career as a second-grade teacher and I worked in that position until my husband and I started our family. During the years that our children were toddlers, I worked half days as a Title I Lead Teacher. This gave me the opportunity to work with teachers and students at every grade level.
Throughout my teaching career, I have been involved in a variety of extra-curricular school activities. I was the cheerleading advisor for 10 years. This gave me the opportunity to work with high school students. I also had the opportunity to work with students in grades K-12 when I was involved in the Rush City, North Branch and Pine City community education programs teaching ballet, tap and jazz. When the administration was considering the implementation of Direct Instruction in the elementary reading and language program, I was given the opportunity to travel to Ogden, Utah, to observe DI in action. The following year, I was one of two Direct Instruction coaches sent to Eugene, Ore., for training. I then served as a DI coach for a year, supervising grades 3-6. Presently, I volunteer as the scorekeeper for the junior varsity and varsity boysí basketball teams.

I have thoroughly enjoyed working in the Rush City School District. We are truly a school of excellence. Our staff of hardworking, dedicated and compassionate people is committed to giving each child the best possible education.

The person who has influenced me the most is my dad. He has always been there for me ñ in good times and bad ñ encouraging, supporting and cheering me on. He set an excellent example and taught me the importance of hard work and dedication.
Every child has unique qualities. I have a spot in my heart for the special needs children that I have taught throughout the years. These students have not only opened my heart but the hearts of the other children in my class. Having special needs children in class teaches us all the importance of compassion and respect for our differences.

Family time is very important to me. When I am not teaching, I enjoy special time with my husband, Gary, daughter and son-in-law, Jodi and Chris, sons Eric and Brett and our kitty, Tyra. My other interests are traveling, reading, scrap booking, golfing and exercising.

Al Tripp

Al Tripp has been an English teacher at Rush City High School since the fall of 1970.

Tripp obtained his teaching degree from Augsburg College. ìWhen I was in high school, I had a band director, Mr. Bergum, who I admired. After my first year at Augsburg, my goal of being a band director changed to being an English teacher.î For 35 years Tripp has been a mainstay of that department at Rush City High School. He has taught all grades from 8 through 12 and, for the past 16 years, has taught 8th- and 11th-grade English. He has directed class plays and all school plays for 14 years and has been a junior high speech coach for 15 years. He has been an assistant track coach for the last 20 years. ìIíve stayed in this school district for 35 years because it is an excellent system. The school board, administration, faculty and students make this a wonderful place to work. One reward I enjoy is looking at test results for our district and seeing how well our students perform.î

Trippís wife, Linda, teaches 1st grade at Jacobson Elementary School. They have two sons, Ryen, age 29 and Justin, age 23 and one pet, Simone, a Siamese cat who has trained them to open doors and feed her on command. As for hobbies, he enjoys music and has sung in his church choir for 34 years. He plays trumpet and guitar and, ìbeing a track coach, I know the importance of fitness so I also enjoy a good morning run.î

When asked if he had a role model or particular person that has influenced him, he named former Rush City teacher Bill West. ìWhen I began teaching at Rush City, Bill West was an experienced social studies teacher, athletic director and track coach. I got to know Bill well because he was an Augsburg College graduate. I admired his dedication, his teaching techniques, and mainly, his love of teaching. He didnít just teach social studies ñ he taught character.î It is obvious that this love of teaching has passed on to Tripp.

When meeting former students, Tripp enjoys hearing their success stories and likes to think that the education they received from all the teachers in the Rush City School system has made a difference in their lives.

Next week weíll hear from Barb Westman and Sue Stang.

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