By JONAH STAFFORD
Staff Writer
Lise Weegman, NRHEG Secondary’s business teacher for the past six years, did not have an easy time deciding to submit her retirement this spring. One of the greatest joys of being a teacher, she observes, is the opportunity to introduce students to concepts and practices “that they knew very little about, and possibly had never even thought of before.”
Teaching students varying from middle schoolers to seniors and covering subject matter from basic communication and interaction to an introduction to the business world with such classes as Computers, Business, Hospitality and Tourism, Money Management, and Fundamentals of Accounting, Weegman has provided hundreds of students with a broadened understanding and built rich interpersonal relationships.
In their free time, she and Dale, her husband of 43 years, also an educator, treasure opportunities to get together with their children and grandchildren. With Dale already a retiree, Weegman wanted to open up her schedule, so the two of them could visit family and travel together.
However difficult the choice, Weegman is now in the process of cleaning out her classroom and getting it ready for Bailie Thom, who has already been hired to take over the program next fall.
Weegman says that, in her six-year tenure with the district, it has been her goal to build and expand programs whenever possible. Among the programs she administered was the Panther Store,, a student-run NRHEG apparel and merchandise kiosk. The store is set up during various public events, offering seasonally appropriate apparel for fans and supporters.
She is also very happy to have established a DECA chapter at NRHEG over the past year. Having the DECA chapter provides opportunities to students who are interested in the various fields of business. DECA is a business-related organization that encourages students to learn about professional business tasks, roles and expectations. The students in competitions are given business problems, and asked to come up with viable solutions to the problems. Even though this was the program’s first year, members of NRHEG DECA advanced from district competition to DECA’s state-level competition. An international non-profit organization, Distributive Education Clubs of America helps connect students with education, skills and opportunities in business and professional careers.
The Weegmans have lived in New Richland since shortly after Lise joined the district. They previously resided in eastern South Dakota. Weegman decided that returning to Minnesota was the right choice because she raised her family in Winona and wanted to be closer to relatives in the Twin Cities.
Prior to teaching K-12, Weegman worked in management and director roles in both the nonprofit and for-profit business sectors. She had also taught supervisory management and other business classes in community and technical colleges for eight years.
Besides teaching, Weegman has become involved in the New Richland community by serving on the Summer Burst Concert Series committee. The group’s first series of concerts took place at the city’s park last summer; the free concerts are scheduled again this year on June 25, July 23, and August 13.
As her final year at NRHEG is “winding down,” Weegman is grateful for her experiences as both an educator and a community member.
“Thank you to the NRHEG School district and the community for their support,” said Weegman. Having walked the halls of NRHEG for the last time, Weegman said, “It is time to enjoy life’s precious moments with Dale, our kids, and our grandbabies!”