Professional Advocacy

P.O. Box 129 | Algona, IA 50511 | ACSF@NetAMUMail.com

The Foundation knows that good education relies on good teaching. In addition to funding the many classroom projects that teachers request, we are involved in several programs to recognize and support teachers including: 

Joe Taylor, a high school special education teacher, has been awarded the 2024 Dorothy Laird Professional Development Award. “The scholarship will help me in my current pursuit of a master’s degree in education. The program has provided valuable content and skills that have been incorporated into my classroom, making an impact on student learning. I’m honored to be the recipient and look forward to more professional growth and development as an educator,” said Taylor.

In 2024, the Foundation proudly awarded the AHS Class of 1979 Award for Excellence in Teaching to Jennifer Christensen. Congratulations!

The annual AHS Class of 1979 Award for Excellence in Teaching is s given annually to a teacher who is nominated for outstanding contributions to students. 

Established in 2002 by the AHS Class of '79, the award is designed to recognize the outstanding contributions of a teacher, either in a single academic year or over a career including developing new programs, personally motivating students, achieving greater professional standing and going above and beyond the job of teaching. The Algona High School Class of 1979 decided at their 20-year reunion to create an Excellence in Teaching Award, which they asked the Algona Community School Foundation to administer. Members of the community nominate current teachers for the recognition, and then a committee reviews the nominations and selects the Teacher of the Year. The award is designed to recognize the outstanding contributions of a teacher who goes above and beyond the job of teaching. Recipients are presented with a plaque for public display in the Administration Office, an engraved commemorative school bell, and $200 at the conclusion of the school year. Past recipients include:

2024 = Jennifer Christensen

2023 = Todd Herbst-Ulmer

2022 = Lisa Cassens & Mindi Spear

2021 = Phil Stein

2020 = Ron Swalve

2019 = Sheryl Carroll

2018 = Kurt Kissinger

2017 = Steve Young

2016 = Lori Ludwig

2015 = Sandra Mills

2014 = Mary Kae Hanson

2013 = Brenda Bormann

2012 = Drew Severson

2011 = Marilyn Gale

2010 = Karie Young

2009 = Brian Connick

2008 = Blair & Mandy Redenius

2007 = Francis Bollinger

2006 = Bill Fjetland

2005 = Diane Goodman

2004 = Dale Teeter

2003 = Jeanette Walker

2002 = Liz Rosonke  

The Dorothy Laird Award is a scholarship for teachers named after former educator Dorothy Laird. Dorothy was a long-time, highly-respected kindergarten teacher in the Algona schools who specified before her death on 2008 that her son should establish such a fund with the Foundation. Mrs. Laird is survived by her son, Max Laird and his wife Gayle of North Dakota. They endowed a $10,000 gift to the Algona Community School Foundation in Dorothy’s name. A gift of $500 is awarded to a teacher who seeks help in procuring professional growth through graduate classes, seminars, or similar professional growth opportunities.

Past Recipients:

2024 = Joe Taylor

2023 = Shelby Berte

2022 = Molly Henderson

2021 = Natalie Knobloch

2020 = Ty Nichols

2019 = Kirsten Brandt & Trevor Green

2018 = No award given

2017 = Jodi Wiita

2016 = Kristi Roberts

2015 = Mike Weier & Molli Leiting

2014= Dianne Aboud and Mike Weier & Molli Leiting

2013 = Julie Stein & Colleen Bowman

2012 = Kurt Kissinger & Tracy Carlson

2011 = Brian Connick

2010 = Twila Wichtendahl

2009 = Sheila Laubenthal

In support of students in need, the Foundation also works with Project ASC -- Algona Schools Care. This initiative was started in 2008 and is managed by faculty and staff within the District. The mission of Project ASC is to help students with problems related to basic needs in order to create a more effective learning environment throughout the district. Since 2008, over $16,000 has been distributed to over 210 families.

The Dave Shumway Outstanding Teacher Award was established in 2019. Dave Shumway earned a law degree from the University of Iowa and returned to Algona to join his father's law firm, but it was in his retirement that his gifts to the community flourished. He was an avid investor who volunteered his expertise to the Algona Community School Foundation by guiding its investments. Under his guidance, the investments did so well that the Foundation portfolios grew well-beyond the original contributions while still providing sizable scholarships and grants. 

After Shumway died in 2016, his sister, Sandra Howe, established this award to honor Shumway's dedication to education. As a result, the Dave Shumway Outstanding Teaching Award has been established to benefit truly outstanding Algona High School District high school teachers whose performance was beyond the norm. The Foundation seeks to make a selection for this award on an annual basis. Past winners include:

D Laird Professional Growth Application