Kremer receives lifetime award

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A retired Anna High School agriculture teacher has been recognized for his continuing support of agricultural education.

Thomas A. Kremer, of Anna, received the 2017 National Association of Agricultural Educators Lifetime Achievement Award in December during the NAAE annual convention in Nashville. He was one of six individuals nationwide to receive the award.

Kremer was nominated for the award by a former student, Michelle Brunson, who is a supervisor at Upper Valley Career Center, Piqua. Kremer said he was honored that one of his former students nominated him for the award. Seven of his former students are teachers, including Tim Zimpfer and Sarah Heilers, who are both teaching at AnnaLocal Schools. His youngest son has also been a teacher for 25 years.

“I’ve been retired for 18 years, but I’m still subbing,” said Kremer.

Brunson said Kremer has been her mentor both while she was a student at Anna High School and in her teaching career.

“Tom Kremer, was my high school agricultural education instructor and FFA adviser and has continued to be a mentor for me throughout my career,” said Brunson. “It is because of him that I became an ag ed teacher and now a Career Technical supervisor who can hopefully mentor teachers like he mentored me. I cannot thank him enough for all of his support and I could not think of a more deserving individual to receive the NAAE Lifetime Achievement Award.”

In her nomination submission, Brunson said, “Tom Kremer has made significant contributions to the State, Regional and National Ag teachers associations. He not only served the state as an officer but also contributed financially to the state association from the purchases made by ag teachers from Kremer Equipment Supply. He served on many national committees throughout his time as an Ag Ed instructor and led the organization at the National level as the NAAE president. Tom has been a mentor to many throughout his years of service and is deserving of the Lifetime Achievement Award.”

Kremer has been involved in agricultural education on a national scale for 48 years. He was NAAE president (then the National Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association) in 1998, secretary for the National Council for Agricultural Education from 1999 to 2000, and a member of the National FFA Board of Trustees in 1997 and 1998.

Kremer often found himself as a presenter for National FFA conventions, teacher professional development workshops, and pre-service teacher organizations. He also authored curriculum, including the Ohio State Core Curriculum for Leadership Development and a curriculum on farmland acquisition for adult learners.

Each of the six regional Lifetime Achievement Award winners was recognized at the NAAE convention in Nashville. Ford sponsors the Lifetime Achievement Award as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. NAAE is the professional association for agricultural educators. Its mission is “professionals providing agricultural education for the global community through visionary leadership, advocacy and service.” The NAAE headquarters are located in Lexington, Kentucky.

The United States is divided into six regions and one person from each region received the award. Ohio is part of the region which includes Kentucky, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri and Indiana.

Lifetime Achievement Award winner Thomas Kremer and Michelle Brunson, who nominated him for the award, are shown after Kremer received his award in Nashville, Tenn.
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2018/01/web1_TomKremerMichelleBrunsonnew.jpgLifetime Achievement Award winner Thomas Kremer and Michelle Brunson, who nominated him for the award, are shown after Kremer received his award in Nashville, Tenn. Courtesy photo

The Lifetime Achievement Award winners.
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2018/01/web1_Kremerandwinnersnew.jpgThe Lifetime Achievement Award winners. Courtesy photo

Parker Bane, NAAE Region IV Vice President, Glenn Sims, National FFA Foundation representative, Thomas Kremer, and Scott Stone, NAAE president, were present when Kremer received the Lifetime Achievement Award as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. The Ford Motor Company sponsors the award.
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2018/01/web1_Kremeraward-copy.jpgParker Bane, NAAE Region IV Vice President, Glenn Sims, National FFA Foundation representative, Thomas Kremer, and Scott Stone, NAAE president, were present when Kremer received the Lifetime Achievement Award as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. The Ford Motor Company sponsors the award. Courtesy photo

By Melanie Speicher

[email protected]

Reach the writer at 937-538-4822.

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