The Sauk Centre High School Auditorium was filled with students that had just finished a Snow Days Talent Show, when Principal Cory Larson announced that diversiCOM had a special announcement. Students cheered as Ellen Thompson, their high school Agriculture teacher was presented the 2008 diversiCOM Teacher of the Year award by Dean Mohs, Chief Operating Officer at diversiCOM.
Several years ago diversiCOM extended their scholarship program to include a diversiCOM Teacher of the Year award. The diversiCOM Teacher of the Year award is presented to a teacher employed by a school within the diversiCOM service area. The winning teacher receives a trophy that recognizes their commitment to excellence in education, and a $2000 cash prize to use as they choose.
diversiCOM seeks nominations through a variety of media ways. Nominee information is reviewed by a Selection Committee, that changes yearly and generally consists of various school administrators and customers. The nominees are scored on criteria such as individual teaching style, creativity in encouraging student achievement, consistent support of students’ growth, and community involvement.
The 2008 diversiCOM Teacher of the Year winner, Ellen Thompson, is described as simply everyone’s favorite. Her commitment, strong work ethic, positive attitude and endless enthusiasm for every aspect of agriculture is obvious in her classroom and her everyday life. Her relationship with the students and their parents is not only outstanding, but of utmost importance to her. Thompson is dedicated to be the best professional she can be. Ellen is the Read Across America District Coordinator and also serves on the MN State Agriculture Teachers Association Board. She understands that a relationship between school and community is a way of promoting a successful department.
This “Teacher of the Year” never lets the material become more important than the student. Her expectations are high and she works with each student to find the potential in them to meet those expectations. Her passion for education is apparent to her students and fellow teachers every day. To quote Thompson, “ I like to think that I am not teaching agriculture. I am using agriculture to teach students.”
diversiCOM Melrose Telephone Company has been in existence for 80 years. diversiCOM Mainstreet Communications, LLC has served the city of Sauk Centre since 1998 and diversiCOM Wisper Wireless Solutions, LLC began in 2006. diversiCOM believes that strong communities depend on active residents and businesses and we are willing to do our part to make a difference in the communities that it serves. They have long been a strong supporter of educational opportunities, whether it is internet classes to senior citizens, donating to elementary projects, presenting scholarships to college bound high school seniors or any of the other educational programs.
diversiCOM is a full-service telecommunications company providing local and long distance telephone service, cable television, high-speed Internet access, and more.