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Her dedication and hard work made Dorothy Chrun an ideal candidate for recognition in the field of teaching. Through the efforts of Chisago Lakes High School art teacher Beth Carlson, Chrun was recently publicly recognized for dedication, named as the Retired Art Educator of the Year.

The Art Educators of Minnesota named Chrun for the award after she was nominated by Carlson.

Chrun was notified this summer that she would be receiving the award, and she felt honored.

"I was excited, because it is an honor, and very thoughtful of Beth," she said.

Chrun began her teaching career 40 years ago at Taylors Falls High School. She started there in 1968, then moved to Lindstrom, teaching in the high school that is now Lakeside Elementary. She moved on to teaching art at the junior high (now CLMS) for 20 years and finished her 34 year teaching career at Chisago Lakes High School in 2002.

Since then, though, she hasn't stopped teaching. Chrun has come back to the high school several times, as well as subbing in the elementary schools.

She was a long-term substitute for Carlson when Carlson was on maternity leave, and will return to sub during Carlson's second maternity leave starting right before Christmas.

Chrun said it is nice to see that the emphasis on fine arts has expanded in the district since her early years in teaching.

"There were times when I was the only full-time art teacher in the district," Chrun said. "Now there are five-and-a-half art teacher positions - that's wonderful to see."

She has taught a variety of different courses over the years, from drawing and painting to ceramics and art fundamentals. Her favorite course was one she started at CLHS - environmental art. Take a quick look around at the beautiful murals painted at the school and elsewhere in the Chisago Lakes area, and there is a good chance Chrun and her students helped to create them.

She also thoroughly enjoyed completing a teacher memorial mural inside Lakeside School after she had retired.

When she's not subbing in the district, Chrun meets with a weekly painting group, completes ceramic projects at home using her own kiln and volunteers at Hazelden, demonstrating art techniques to clients. She also volunteers for Meals on Wheels.

Chrun accepted the Retired Art Educator of the Year award at the Art Educators of Minnesota fall conference Nov. 7 in St. Cloud. Also in attendance were her husband, retired from teaching English at CLMS, and Carlson.

"I'm happy to have a part in Dorothy getting recognized for everything that she does," Carlson said.

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