Sidney teacher earns state honor

At its annual banquet in Red Lodge, the Montana Association of Agricultural Educators (MAAE) honored some of its members with special awards.

The MAAE “Teacher of the Year” was awarded to Bill Lombardi, a 23-year veteran teacher at Powell County High School in Deer Lodge. The “Outstanding AgEd Program” was awarded to Park City, under the direction of Kari Hanson. The “Outstanding Young MAAE Member” is Eric Tilleman, Cascade.

Gary Schaff, Sidney is the “AgriScience Teacher of the Year” with Jared Long, Fergus, the “Rookie of the Year.”

Robin Allen, Chinook took home two awards as the “Ideas Unlimited” and “Teachers Turn the Key” winner.

Big Sky High School principal Paul Johnson, won the coveted “Administrator of the Year” award. Jim Bott, Miles City, was awarded a Montana Silversmiths pocket watch for completing 25 years as an AgEd teacher.

The MAAE officers for the 2009-10 school year are: Kari Hanson, Park City, president; George Simmons, Forsyth, Vice-president; Carla Leligdowicz, Custer, secretary; Stacy Dietz, Shepherd, treasurer; Eric Tilleman, Cascade, newsletter editor; and Chad Massar, Joliet, past-president.