Sue Lee named to All-State School Board after decades in education

After decades of service to the Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose School District, Sue Lee is closing the final chapter of her expansive career in education. Monday was Sue’s final meeting on the BHM school board, and Tuesday marked her last meeting as a member of the Wright Technical Center board. Lee was recently named to the All-State School Board, the Minnesota School Boards Association’s highest honor, putting the stamp on a remarkable journey. “This was my 55th start to a school year in Buffalo. I’m really going to miss this.” 

Lee retired from teaching in 2004 and was elected to the school board in the fall of 2005, beginning her first term in January 2006 and serving through 2024. Lee’s departure from the school board marks the end of an era for the BHM district, but her passion for education runs deep, and she plans to remain involved in various ways.      

The Early Years

Lee’s career in education began in 1970, but the teaching profession wasn’t her first pursuit. Initially, she planned to work as a secretary. “I started out doing a lot of secretarial classes and worked in offices. My mom was an executive secretary and that is what I started out doing. Back in the 60’s, you could be a secretary, teacher, or nurse. Then I started working with kids. After that I was on my way, and I never looked back. My interest in young people and the ease with which I related to kids changed my focus to education.”

From 1970 to 1997, Sue taught at what was originally known as Buffalo Elementary and later became Buffalo Intermediate (grades K, 4, 5, 6) before becoming what is known as Parkside Elementary today. When the construction of Buffalo High School was finished in the middle of the 1996-97 school year, sixth grade classrooms were moved to Buffalo Community Middle School. The transition occurred over Christmas break and classes began in January 1997, “as the paint was still drying,” Lee recalled. Many of Lee’s colleagues at that time wanted to stay at the elementary level. Lee chose to pursue the middle grades. “I worked on my middle school license and worked on curriculum. I shifted my focus and loved it. I was motivated to keep learning.”

Teaching and Mentoring

The best teachers are those who have the skill to recognize a student’s abilities and inspire them to reach beyond what they think they are capable of.  

Sue Lee held high expectations for her students, having a knack for bringing out their greatest potential and helping them to understand they are capable of much more than they believe. Lee highlights the importance of building relationships with students and cites this student-teacher bond as an integral part of student success. “Building relationships sets the whole platform for the day. I try to develop a personal relationship with each student individually, for they are all special people and have talents to use, develop, and share. My approach is to be a very supportive, caring teacher but at the same time to be sufficiently demanding of my students. Each student is capable of doing well, and I want to teach my kids not to settle for mediocrity.”

Lee has not only guided students, she’s been an active and supportive mentor for student teachers, colleagues, and educational staff during her career. “Working in an effective team is important to me. I feel it is necessary to be actively involved in staff development, committee work, curriculum development, and other activities that make our schools a better place. Coachable moments arise during the flow of activities and teaching each day. I did a lot of mentoring with newer teachers.” 

Beyond the Classroom

Lee has been involved in numerous programs and committees, fondly recalling the organization of the sixth-grade ski program in the mid-70’s and class trips, which focused on areas of environmental science. “We wanted to get kids doing things outside in the winter, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking.”  

Lee, along with colleague, Janice Carlson, whom Lee taught with from 1970 to 1991, first started taking sixth grade students to Wolf Ridge in northern Minnesota. Originally, it was only Lee and Carlson’s classes who made the trip. Due to high demand from parents and students, the program was expanded to the other five classrooms at the Intermediate school. Through the years, sixth graders also attended Deep Portage Learning Center, a non-profit organization offering educational opportunities in the Northwoods.

School Board

From teaching elementary and middle school students to mentoring young educators, leading various committees, and subbing at the High School level after her retirement, Sue Lee has been an integral part of shaping the BHM district’s culture and academic excellence. “We want to do what’s best for kids in a manner we approve of. It’s been a great board. We have been blessed.” Much planning, preparation, and discussion goes on behind the scenes. “The nitty-gritty happens in the workshops. We need to be educated and know what’s best for our district. It’s about what the students need.”

Reflections

Lee recalled many experiences as she reflected on her 55 years in education. Relationships built with students and colleagues stood out the most, and seeing the growth that goes along with guiding young people through the milestones of their adolescent years. “To see those light bulbs come on and that spark in their eyes is amazing. It’s a lot of hard work, but I think I would do the same thing. You either cry or you laugh. Kids are on the precipice of figuring out what they can do. They are so capable. They can do so much more than what they think they can achieve.” 

“The rewards come in many forms. A smile, hug, a knowing look, a sign of satisfaction, or a tear is welcomed. Many of the most meaningful rewards are simply daily events and breakthroughs with kids.” 

Sue Lee’s time BHM school board is coming to an end, but she plans to remain involved in the district through classroom volunteering and continuing the work she loves, educating and building relationships with students.  

Editor’s note

Sue Lee acknowledges the support she has received from family during her career, husband, David, daughters, Kyrsten and Amy, sons, Jordan and Stephen, along with their spouses and grandchildren. 

Sue and David enjoy traveling to Florida for six weeks out of the winter.