Big Lake Schools is proud to announce this year’s recipients of the Leadership in Educational Excellence Award (LEEA)! 

Presented in partnership with Resource Training & Solutions, this award honors exceptional licensed staff members for their dedication and contributions to their school community. Recipients are nominated based on their expertise in their subject areas, leadership in curriculum development, and the lasting impact they make in the lives of students, staff, and the broader community. 

This year’s honorees from Big Lake Schools include: 

• Kristine Lindgren: Speech/Language Pathologist, Liberty Elementary
• Scott Pierce: Assistant Principal, Independence Elementary STEM
• Kim Pietrzak: Special Education Teacher, Big Lake Middle School
• Lowell Streit: Physical Education Teacher, Big Lake High School

These educators are not only outstanding educational leaders, but they also regularly motivate those around them and serve as positive role models for both students and colleagues.

Recipients were recognized at the annual Leadership in Educational Excellence Banquet and Award Ceremony, held on October 25 at the St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center. This year, 153 educators from 37 central Minnesota school districts were honored for their commitment to educational excellence. 

We are so proud to have these four amazing educators representing Big Lake Schools!

Pictured from left: Teresa Smock-Potter (Liberty Principal), Kristine Lindgren, Lowell Streit, Shallyn Tordeur (BLHS Assistant Principal), Mark Ernst (BLMS Principal), Kim Piertzak, Minda Anderson (Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning), Jona Deavel (Independence Principal), Scott Pierce