Luverne Woman Receives Award

Karen Willers, retired Community Education Director from Luverne Public Schools, received the Minnesota Community Education Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award at their annual Leadership Days Conference in St. Cloud on Feb. 17, 2022.

 

The Minnesota Community Education Association Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an individual with 20+ years of leadership in the field of Community Education who has made exemplary contributions to advance the goals and principles of Community Education locally and throughout Minnesota.

These educational leaders are recognized for their:

• Professional Achievements
• Leadership Qualities.
• Efforts to Foster Collaboration and maximize resources
• Involvement in Local and Statewide Initiatives
• Lasting Impact on the Field of Community Education

Karen began her work career in Community Education’s very first years of existence. She began at Luverne Community Education as an Early Childhood Family Education teacher, and within the next year, she was named the ECFE and School Readiness Director. Then in August of 1999, Karen became the Luverne Community Education Director, managing both of those positions right up until her retirement in 2020.

 

Karen served on the Minnesota Community Education Association State Board, as well as on the regional board. She has been instrumental in bringing forth the vision of Greater Minnesota’s needs for the youngest to the oldest customers of her programs to the ears of advocates around her.

 

Karen was nominated by Anne Foley of Worthington.