Student Leadership Award: Ms. Magn Mohler

Magn Mohler is an Early Childhood Education student who goes above and beyond in the classroom and in her interactions with children and teachers.  She is aware of the social/emotional needs of children, shows skill and compassion when working with children of any age, considers the needs of others and sets high goals for herself. 

Magn, who plans to become a teacher, works for Great Explorations after school at Houghton, volunteered to be a facilitator for "Girl Talk" at Houghton Middle School on Thursdays and attended Parent to Parent Support Group meetings to provide care for children with developmental delays and their siblings. 

She and a classmate developed, presented and successfully implemented a community service project on self-esteem for upper elementary students, which won gold at the regional and state leadership meetings of the student organization FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America).  They will be participating in the National meeting in Orlando, Florida, in July.

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Outstanding Education Employee Award:  Ms. Karyn Juntunen

Karyn Juntunen is a teacher in the CCISD's Community Transition Program.  She works with students ages 18 to 25 who have moderate cognitive impairments.

Karyn is a dedicated teacher who always advocates for her students and looks out for their best interests.  She has pushed for her students to be able to vote, get job training and gain as much independence as their disabilities will allow.  

Karyn recently joined Terry Smythe, from the Keweenaw Memorial Fitness Center, in a new endeavor that will allow her students to be leaders in the State of Michigan.   Karyn, Terry and the Community Transition students are heading to Mount Pleasant, Michigan, to run a rowing machine clinic at the State Special Olympics. The idea behind the clinic is to convince Special Olympics committee members include rowing as a new athletic event. 

Karyn's undying dedication to her students is apparent each and every time you get her talking about her class and their accomplishments.

Pictured from left to right:  Outstanding Education Employee Award Recipient, Karyn Juntunen; and CCISD Board Vice-President Robert Tuomi.

School Service Award:  Ms. Loret Roberts and Ms. Christina Wilmers

Loret Roberts and Chris Wilmers were recognized because of their motivation, insight and dedication as school support employees.

The CCISD was in need of a pupil accounting auditor, as the result of an employee resigning.  Loret and Chris took the initiative to bring to the administration a plan that would divide the pupil auditing responsibility between the two employees.  The new plan allowed the district to substantially reduce the cost of the audit process, as well as provide added efficiencies for the local districts.  The plan did, in fact, increase their work load, but did not result in added compensation.

Pictured from left to right:  School Service Award Recipient, Christina Wilmers; CCISD Board Treasurer, Robert Roy; and School Service Award Recipient, Loret Roberts.

Copper Country Leadership Award:  Mr. Gale Eilola

Gale Eilola, who has been a member of the CCISD Board of Education for the last ten years, was awarded this year's Copper Country Leadership Award for outstanding leadership, commitment and effort in support of public K-12 education in the Copper Country.  Gale has had the unique experience of serving on governing boards in both Baraga and Houghton Counties, including the CCISD and Baraga Area Schools Boards of Education, as well as the BHK Child Development (Head Start) Board of Directors. 

Pictured from left to right:  CCASB and L'Anse Area Schools Board of Education President, Joan Bugni; and Copper Country Leadership Award Recipient, Gale Eilola.