Staff photo by Connor Cummiskey New Ulm Public School District awarded six people with recognition of their service during the school’s employee recognition event. Pictured from left to right: Melissa Nelson, secondary teacher of the year; Ann Hillesheim, support person of the year; Mary Roufs, paraprofessional of the year; Casey McMullen, new eagle award; Eileen Furth, elementary teacher of the year and Michael Brehmer, community support award.

NEW ULM — Two teachers at ISD 88 received teacher of the year during the district’s employee recognition event Friday.

Second-Grade Teacher Eileen Furth was awarded the Elementary Teacher of the Year award and Seventh-Grade Math Teacher Melissa Nelson received Secondary Teacher of the Year.

“Your best takes your time,” Emcee Heidi Wilker said. “It is the time you put in something that often makes something good. If you do not bake cookies long enough they do not taste good. If you rush a project it is not often your best. If you take a shortcut it is not always shorter. Well, if you know Eileen Furth at all, she is up early in the day and she is usually the first one to school and she is almost the last one to leave.”

Furth has taught in first, second and third-grade and has been in New Ulm for 35 years. She has served on numerous committees including leadership and technology.

Furth is described as a dynamic educator who makes positive, life-long impacts on her students in the event’s program.

Nelson, on the other hand ,was described as a deeply caring math teacher who “works tirelessly on reaching all learners while making math fun,” in the program.

While awarding her the prize, staff created a list of the top ten reasons why Nelson deserved the award.

Some reasons described her fun songs and dances to help kids remember math solutions. Others included her balancing of youth and adult attributes — such as being carded at a Las Vegas craps table while also having four children at home and being the union treasurer.

“The number one reason why Melissa Nelson is deserving of this award is because in her interview she told us that she was awesome and she has proved it time and time again,” Math Teacher Janelle Woodbury said.

Four other awards were given out during the recognition event:

Mary Roufs received paraprofessional of the year for going above and beyond expectations. She was described as hardworking and showing kids that she cares about them.

School Resource Officer Mike Brehmer receive the community support award. His work with securing the school and training staff in ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) procedures secured him the award.

Ann Hillesheim received support person of the year. She was credited with being the front lines of the school and helping significantly during the transition to the new campus layouts.

Casey McMullen received the new eagle award, for best new staff member. McMullen was described as the staff member that the teachers go to, who creates worry when she is gone for a day.

Retirees were recognized during the ceremony. The 11 retiring staff are: Carol Davis, Ruth Ann Gehrke, Debra Gorres, Joyce Halverson, Sharon Holzer, Susan Kimmel, Marion Klimmek, Lori Kruggel, Randy Ogren, Linda Smasal and Al Zwach.

Connor Cummiskey can be emailed at ccummiskey@nujournal.com.