Recognizing Excellence

When former student Gregory Elison chose Polette as his distinguished educator and the teacher who most influenced his educational career, he began rethinking the retirement he was considering.

“After 26 and a half years, I was thinking of retirement, but when I get an accolade like this, I’m putting those plans a little in the future for now,” Polette said.

Polette was one of 48 educators and high school seniors recognized at Helena Education Foundation’s seventh annual Celebration of Excellence Monday night at the Great Northern Hotel.

Lisa Cordingley, HEF executive director, said the Celebration of Excellence is a special event.

“It’s very clear that although we started this for students, our wish is that it isn’t the most wonderful thing that happens in their lives, but for teachers it could be the most important thing in their professional career,” she said.rmer student Gregory Elison chose Polette as his distinguished educator and the teacher who most influenced his educational career, he began rethinking the retirement he was considering.

Read the whole story in the Independent Record and see photos, video and more from this year's celebration here.