Krause, Putnam accept first-ever awards

The Frazee-Vergas High School paraprofessional of the year Char Putnam accepts an embrace during the post-ceremony of the award presentation Wednesday, Feb. 24.

By Robert Williams

Editor

Teacher of the Year is an annual honor bestowed upon an instructor from the high school and elementary in Frazee and the 2024 school year is the first time the district has awarded paraprofessionals of the year at each building.

Sue Krause was honored with the Frazee-Vergas Elementary School’s paraprofessional of the year award Wednesday, Feb. 24, in front of the elementary student body.

The elementary para of the year was Sue Krause and the high school’s nominee was Char Putnam.

Each award winner was introduced with an accompanying video of themselves from when they were in school to adulthood, along with positive comments about their work.

The awards coincide with Paraprofessional Recognition Week in Minnesota, proclaimed by Gov. Tim Walz a year ago:

Minnesota is home to more than 20,000 paraprofessionals who provide services in multiple settings within schools, including support for instruction, student activities, and individual students, as well as numerous other tasks that contribute to educational success.

Kindergarten students from Frazee-Vergas elementary pose with paraprofessional of the year Sue Krause after the award ceremony held Wednesday morning.

The support and services provided by paraprofessionals are integral to student achievement, resulting in more effective and successful Minnesota schools. The State of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Education are committed to excellence in education and recognize the important role that paraprofessionals play in ensuring educational success.

“They are the people that might help you get from point A to point B; they might help you get some extra instruction in learning how to read or how to do math,” Elementary principal Travis Nagel explained to his gymnasium full of students. “All the people that help you at our school have a good learning experience and we want to honor them.”

High school paraprofessional of the year recipient Char Putnam poses with her family after receiving the award in front of the student body on Wednesday afternoon.

Nagel acknowledged all of the paras who work at the school.

“They all do a fantastic job for us and we love having each of them here every day,” Nagel said.

Nagel presented Krause her award with an anecdote about how she helps kids start each day with a smile.

“Mrs. Krause is like our Walmart greeter; she is always at the front door with a smiling face and that’s true,” he said. “We have her at the front of the building for our early arrivals and that’s a great thing because she’s always there smiling and greeting our students so they can get a great start to their day.”

Krause was emotional when accepting her commemorative plaque and received multiple hugs from adoring students as she simply thanked everyone in attendance.

Counselor Ta Fett emceed the high school’s award ceremony noting it was the first time the district has awarded a para of the year. Fett also acknowledged the entire group of paraprofessionals who work at the high school.

“They are so dedicated to the staff and students here,” said Fett. “They really are the definition of Hornet Pride.”

Fett described all the efforts paras make in helping both teachers and students, especially those students who are struggling.

“These people never give up on kids,” said Fett.

After a short video, Fett presented Putnam to the student body.

“I don’t do this for recognition; I do it because I care about these kids,” said Putnam. “For 16 years, it’s been my pleasure and honor to work for the teachers and students of this building. Thank you.”