Lindbergh School District Selects Leaders for 2012

The Lindbergh School District has selected its class of 2012 Lindbergh Leaders.

The Lindbergh Leader Award, according to the LDS website, is a district honor that recognizes excellence in the areas of leadership and service to Lindbergh Schools and the Lindbergh community. Any employee of the district or resident of the community could be nominated for this recognition.

Twenty-eight nominations were submitted and 11 candidates were chosen. The 2012 Lindbergh Leader class will be honored Feb. 24 at Royale Orleans Banquet Hall. The dinner banquet is open to the public and tickets will be available in January by filling out a reservation form available at all Lindbergh school buildings.

This year’s honorees, along with comments from their nominators, include:

• Deborah Artman, LHS Nurse, District Lead Nurse, District Safety Coordinator – “Regardless of the time of day or day of the week, Deborah is committed to improving and maintaining the health and well being of each Lindbergh student, every Lindbergh employee and the community at large.”
• Mary Blackwell, District LEAP Teacher – “When I think of the outstanding LEAP program at Lindbergh, I immediately smile and think of Mary Blackwell. She is LEAP! She has so much enthusiasm and passion for the gifted curriculum, and it shows in everything she does.”
• Roger Cash, President, LHS Bandstanders – “The Bandstanders are a very special group of people. It takes a special person to be able to steer the thinking of this large group onto the same page, all the while keeping a calm, light-hearted demeanor, and then taking the next step and executing tasks at an incredible rate of speed and accuracy.”
• Mary Anne Florich, Parent Volunteer – “Mary Anne brings her competent, caring and unassuming manner to all of her leadership roles. She is definitely someone who can always be counted on to ‘get the job done’. Mary Anne also serves our school district as a wonderful volunteer whose contributions go above and beyond expectations.”
• Dr. Ron Helms, LHS Principal – “Dr. Helms does his job with tireless professionalism, but what sets him apart as a true Lindbergh Leader is the way he goes above and beyond the job description. He has proven himself as a leader in every sense of the word in so many realms.  Dr. Helms has successively ushered in high expectations and a genuine concern for students.”
• Debbie Nelson Linck, Long Kindergarten Teacher – “Debbie Nelson Linck is unselfish, caring and committed to helping others. ... She is a wonderful example to our students as we work to educate them to become caring, productive citizens of our community.”
• John and Renee Shrewsbury, Parent Volunteers – “John and Renee Shrewsbury ideally represent the Lindbergh Character Pillars. Individually and as partners, they volunteer with their schools, church and community. I have watched as they selflessly put others before themselves. The Shrewsburys' selflessness and compassion for others is evident in everything they do.”
• Dr. Jennifer Tiller, Truman Middle School Principal – “Dr. Tiller is very gifted in assessing a situation, researching to know as much as possible about the topic, planning according to research and what is BEST for KIDS, and implementing that plan. No other person could have guided the process of going from one enormous middle school to two middle schools in a more careful and thoughtful way.”
• Steve Tomey, LHS Science Teacher – “Steve Tomey has not only taught his students how to enjoy the outdoors, but he also has instilled in many the need to protect and care for conservation areas and how to enjoy our natural environment. Mr. Tomey has high standards and expectations for his students and himself."
• Jason Wolfard, LHS Computer Science Teacher, LHS Basketball Coach – “Jason always places the needs of his students and student athletes above all else. He spends countless hours mentoring young men and women to strive for greater things. He leads by example and constantly promotes integrity, hard work, and dedication."