School program receives national attention

The Brainerd School District's Brainerd Teacher Support System has been chosen as one of six mentoring programs nationwide to receive recognition from Saturn automobiles, the National Education Association and the United Auto Workers.

A representative from Saturn's plant in Spring Hill, Tenn., will be on hand at the Nov. 8 school board meeting to present this award.

The NEA-Saturn and UAW Partnership Award recognized NEA locals and their school districts that are working together as partners in pursuit of quality education.

The 2004 Partnership Award seeks "best practices" mentoring programs that are created and sustained through the joint efforts of both the school district and the union, and have resulted in substantially assisting new teachers in their education careers.

The BTSS program was the only one chosen from Minnesota for this year's honor.

The Brainerd Teacher Support System has been in place since 1996, designed to facilitate and guide the professional growth of beginning teachers. With annual revision, the program supports beginning teachers as well as new teachers with experience.

Loretta Norgon leads the program.