Kay Powell is LCS Crystal Bell Award recipient

Kay Powell, a Title I Reading/Reading Recovery teacher at Franklin and Kissinger Elementary Schools has been honored as the Decades of Excellence Crystal Bell Award winner for 2008 for Le Mars Community Schools. [Click to enlarge]

A Le Mars Community Schools elementary reading teacher has been named the Decades of Excellence Crystal Bell Award recipient for 2008.

Kay Powell, a Title I Reading/Reading Recovery teacher at Franklin and Kissinger Elementary schools was presented with the award Friday morning (April 25) during an assembly at Franklin Elementary School.

The Decades of Excellence Crystal Bell award is co-sponsored by the LCSD Foundation and the LCS Alumni Association, and is presented annually to honor outstanding teachers who have dedicated their careers to the education of children.

Kerri Petersen, a member of the LCSD Foundation board, made the presentation.

"This morning I would like to share with you some of the things that have been written about Mrs. Powell," Petersen told the students and teachers assembled.

"Kay Powell is an impressive educator who makes learning fun and achieves results because the students love and respect here. She will not let anyone fail," Petersen said.

"She is dedicated to helping children who struggle with reading problems. She empowers students by re-teaching and reinforcing skills and strategies that they can use to help them decode and make sense of the text they are reading," she continued. "Mrs. Powell promotes responsibility in her students, encourages parent involvement, and is always willing to give suggestions and assistance involving students with reading concerns."

"Her positive relationships with children, parents and staff in addition to her hard work and diligence exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding teacher," Petersen concluded.

Powell, who expected to be part of an Earth Day assembly by fourth graders and was asked to participate by principal Dave Horken, was seated in front of the gym full of students. She said she was shocked by the award.

"It's a pleasure to work with the students, a wonderful staff and great teachers and administrators," she told the assembly in accepting the award.

Powell's husband, Steve, and parents-in-law, Bob and Joan Powell of Marcus, were among the surprise guests for the assembly. Also present were members of the Foundation Board, Alumni Board, school administrators and board members.

Powell has taught in the Le Mars Community School District for 27 years. This is her 11th year as a Title I Reading/Reading Recovery teacher at Franklin and Reading Recovery teacher at Kissinger. She spends time at Franklin and Kissinger each day.

"I enjoy working with the children, they're challenging to work with," Powell said of her position. "It's very rewarding to work with this age group." She spends her time with first grade students in Reading Recovery, and first, second and third graders in Title I Reading.

Through the years at LCS she has taught first grade, kindergarten enrichment, and second grade. She took time off when the couple's twin sons, Bret and Brad, were born, and then returned to teaching. Bret lives in Iowa City and Brad lives in St. Louis.

"Reading has always been my favorite subject to teach," said the Westmar College graduate. "It's rewarding to see how much they grow and gain in skills," she said of her students.

"Teaching, especially teaching reading, is my passion," Powell said, "and when you find your passion, you know that's where you belong."

"I feel really blessed to work in such a fine school district with wonderful staff and administrators," she said. "The students are wonderful, too. I get to do what I love to do. That's what's exciting about my job."

Powell was nominated for the award by Debra Toner and Susan Veltkamp. She will be honored at the Foundation Banquet set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, in the lower level of Primebank. The public is welcome to attend this event. Tickets are available in the superintendent's office by calling 546-4155.