Two NLS teachers win Unsung Heroes award

By Linda Vanderwerf

September 13, 2018 10:30 AM

NEW LONDON - New London-Spicer teachers Chad Powers and Roxanne Schmiesing have been honored in the Voya Financial Unsung Heroes Initiative for a plan to teach students first responder skills.

The two received a $2,000 grant in the program and will later compete for larger prizes. The Unsung Heroes program recognizes teachers who work to inspire students in their classrooms, according to a Voya news release.

The NLS teachers' idea is called, "Tomorrow's Heroes." The plan focuses on implementing an elective emergency medical technician course at New London-Spicer High School and CPR courses at the middle school level.

The courses include demonstrations, hands-on practice, volunteer opportunities and certification tests.

Since 1996, the Voya Unsung Heroes initiative has awarded more than $5 million to help fund creative teaching ideas

The 100 honorees in 2018 were selected from more than 1,200 applicants. They will compete for top prizes of an additional $5,000, $10,000 or $25,000. To learn more, go to Voya.com/UnsungHeroes.

Related Topics: EDUCATION

By Linda Vanderwerf

In 42 years in the newspaper industry, Linda Vanderwerf has worked at several daily newspapers in Minnesota, including the Mesabi Daily News, now called the Mesabi Tribune in Virginia. Previously, she worked for the Las Cruces Sun-News in New Mexico and the Rapid City Journal in the Black Hills of South Dakota. She has been a reporter at the West Central Tribune for nearly 27 years.

Vanderwerf can be reached at email: lvanderwerf@wctrib.com or phone 320-214-4340

Two NLS teachers win Unsung Heroes award

NEW LONDON -- New London-Spicer teachers Chad Powers and Roxanne Schmiesing have been honored in the Voya Financial Unsung Heroes Initiative for a plan to teach students first responder skills.