St. Peter Public Schools hosted its annual Staff Recognition reception on Thursday, May 9 in the SPHS Commons area. During this time, SPPS announced the 2023-24 Distinguished Service Award winner and recognized this year’s retirees and those who reached 25 years of service with the district.
This year’s Distinguished Service Award winner was St. Peter High School special education teacher Liz Leibfried, who was presented her award by St. Peter High School Principal Annette Engeldinger and St. Peter Superintendent Bill Gronseth. Leibfried has worked with St. Peter Public Schools since 2014.
In an effort to emphasize the importance of “excellence” in our school district, a “Distinguished Service Award” was established during the 2010-11 school year. Candidates are nominated by peers for exemplifying “excellence” in their job and for their commitment to the students and staff at SPPS.
This year’s retirees are South Principal Doreen Oelke, St. Peter Middle School music instructor Lauren Shoemaker, and Oshawa Learning Center teacher Brenda Eggen. They each received ceremonial school bells.
This year’s staff members receiving the 25-years of service ceremonial clock were Ytive Prafke (St. Peter Schools’ Special Programs Administrator), Gus Sorbo (SPPS Technology Director), Christa Herr (SPHS Paraprofessional), Jack Hartfiel (SPMS Math Intervention Specialist), and Neil Doose (SPMS Math Instructor).
SPPS Distinguished Service Award Recipients
2010-11 — Teresa Saum
2011-12 — Julie Frey
2012-13 — Neil Hanson
2013-14 — Ytive Prafke & Nancy Kruger
2014-15 — Mary Powers
2015-16 — Gayle Derner
2016-17 — Jim Kruger
2017-18 — Joanne Smith & Bob Ploog
2018-19 — Mary Behrends
2019-20 — Helen Hager & Warren Peterson
2020-21 — Scott Hermanson
2021-22 — Keith Hanson
2022-23 — Bill Stuewe
2023-24 — Liz Leibfried
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