They Lit the Way--Distinguished Educators
The 2023 Pathways to Success Reception was held on October 12th at The Wedgewood Cove. The educators honored this year are Tom Dyrdal, Karol Hansen, Tom Mullen, and Debra Monson. Pictures and bios of these Distinguished Educators will be presented here as they become available. A detailed description of the event may be found here. We are seeking nominations for the 2024 Distinguished Educators honorees. Online and mail in nomination forms may be accessed below.
The 2023 Distinguished Educator honorees are presented immediately below.
We Are A Community Committed To Its Children
Tom Dyrdal
1980-82; 1985-2015
I am blessed to have had a career in education and the opportunity to work with many wonderful teachers, students, and families.
Picture and full bio.
Karol Hansen
1988-2022
Education is a truly rewarding profession that teaches you that students don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.
Deb Monson
1989-2019
Teaching is a rewarding and challenging profession. Being a small part of the lives of so many students and working with wonderful staff is a blessing.
Picture and full bio.
Tom Mullen
1969-1999
My mission was to provide whatever Audio-Visual support services were needed by the students and staff of our educational community.
Picture and full bio.
They Lit the Way: Honoring Albert Lea's Distinguished Educators
INTRODUCTION
A partner to the Pathways to Success–Distinguished Alumni program, the They Lit the Way–Distinguished Educator program recognizes those extraordinary individuals who were on the other side of the desk from those who became distinguished alumni. Outstanding teachers deserve recognition as Distinguished Educators for the assistance they provide their students in unveiling the genius that rests within us all. For as Plutarch observed, “The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be ignited.” Those honored as Distinguished Educators are representative of all teachers who have enlightened their students and have “Lit the Way” for the path that leads to their future. Please recognize a teacher who was especially influential for you by submitting a nomination from one of the fields below.