St. Cloud School District 742 recently held their Partners in Education Award Ceremony to recognize volunteers and organizations that go above and beyond in their support of schools and students. Four volunteers and an organization were honored from Clearview Elementary School. 

 

District employees and community members nominated the award winners for their contributions to public education and the success of students.

 

Clearview Principle Sheri Rutar nominated Dennis and Christine Klein and Lori Johnson. 

 

Dennis and Christine Klein have volunteered as “foster grandparents” at Clearview for two years. They work in the preschool through first grade classrooms.

 

“They’re here every day all year long,” said Rutar. “They’re so good with little kids, helping them with whatever task they need. They’re always happy and never complain.”

 

Lori Johnson is the president of the Clearview PTA. 

 

“She does everything for our school and has teachers and students as top priority,” said Rutar. “”She’s always coming up with activities for community and school involvement.”

 

Rutar and fifth grade teacher Andrea Coulter jointly nominated the Clearview Forest Committee, which Coulter is a member of. The committee was created to facilitate the 10-year plan the school and the DNR created to restore the 42-acre forest.

 

“Their work is so incredible, it’s nonstop,” said Rutar. “They’re ambitious and eager to create that outdoor learning space, and their ideas are just phenomenal.”

 

“I nominated the whole committee because I wanted the public to know what great people we have on this project,” said Coulter. “Through February they’ve volunteered approximately 635 hours. What they’re doing is just so extraordinary and I wanted them to know they’re appreciated.”

 

Members of the Clearwater Forest Committee include Brian Gohmann, Bryan Brown, Bernie Manifold, Brent Benson, Tambra Benson, Gary Gohmann, Barth Buehrer, Angela Schwartz, Kathy Gerdts-Senger, Nick Snavely, Marcia Setrum, Carrie Olson, Luke Gruett, Tammy Mate-Peterson, Lori Johnson, Fred Bengston, Bruce Hentges, Don Updike, Andrea Coulter and Tony Miller.

 

Coulter also nominated Ruth Schultz, who has volunteered in her classroom for the past three years. 

 

“She’s like clockwork and does whatever I ask of her,” said Coulter. “She helps students with math and reading and they love to work with her; she’s patient and kind.”

 

“I’m an accountant and thought I could help,” said Schultz, who volunteered through the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). “It’s interesting to work with the kids. I hope others see this and decide to volunteer themselves.”