Leighton State Bank has announced the winner of their fifth annual Teacher of the Year award. The award was presented to Cindy Dixson, a third-grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary, on National Teacher Appreciation Day. Each year, Leighton State Bank solicits nominations for the award from the community.

“This year, we received an outpouring of nominations from students and parents. Selecting the Teacher of the Year is one of the most enjoyable things that the LSB Leadership Team gets to do throughout the year, but also one of the most difficult,” said LSB Chief Operating Officer Joel Cornilsen.

Dixson received the award with her students, several teachers, and Lincoln Elementary Principal Margaret Kirkwold present. The nominations, read to the group by Verna Ver Meer, VP of Human Resources & IT, praised Dixson’s ability to find creative ways to engage students in the classroom. They also highlighted the time she spends outside of school attending student events and activities. In addition to the award, Mrs. Dixson received a check for $200 to help offset classroom costs.

“First, I’d like to thank Leighton State Bank for supporting teachers with this award. I’m truly honored to receive it. It’s been an interesting year in teaching, and I’m SO thankful we’ve been in school face-to-face every day. I’m a very fortunate teacher to teach at Lincoln Elementary and in this school district. I have the best students, parents, and coworkers. Lincoln Elementary is like family, and I love teaching there.”
–Cindy Dixson

“Thank you for honoring our third-grade teacher, Mrs. Dixson, as Leighton State Bank’s Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Dixson has worked hard to make this year as “normal” as possible, under the circumstances, and has held her student’s social-emotional well-being as a high priority. This was well deserved! We so appreciate Leighton State Bank for acknowledging the challenging work all teachers do every year and taking the time to honor them.”
–Lincoln Principal Margaret Kirkwold