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Elementary physical education teacher Bill Virant (left) and high school science teacher Jay Thompson (right) were selected as Paynesville's representatives of the Leadership in Education Awards. They posed with Robert Cavanna of Resource Training and Solutions in October.

In all, 150 educators from central Minnesota were honored at the event, which was sponsored by Research Training & Solutions and various businesses. The event, with more than 500 people in attendance, was held at the St. Cloud Civic Center.

The event featured a keynote speaker who used the old tale of Three Billy Goats Gruff to describe the bridges (events) and trolls (obstacles) teachers face. His advice on values to live with were: (1) Life is short - do the best you can when something happens and move on; (2) Keep it simple - do not complicate your life with extraneous things; (3) Be playful; and (4) Dance - if you have a good idea, don't stand against the wall like at a junior high dance, get out on the dance floor.

Education commissioner Alice Seagren could not attend the event but sent remarks praising teachers and educational staff.

It was the 15th annual Leaders in Educational Excellence event. To date, 1,975 educators in central Minnesota have been recognized.