Leader of the Year
Copper Island’s Nora Laho honored
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CALUMET -- Copper Island Academy was buzzing with excitement on Oct. 13 when Director Nora Laho was formally recognized by Central Michigan University as its Charter School Leader of the Year award winner.
Laho was also presented a $5,000 award from the CMU Center for Charter Schools at the ceremony. "It's definitely a great honor," she said after the ceremony. "It's a testament though to the work that our whole team does each and every day. That team includes not only our staff members but also our students and community as well."
Executive Director of the Center for Charter Schools Corey Northrop said he was happy to see the Copper Island community out in full force to support Laho.
"This is why CMU authorizes schools," he said. "It gives a different approach, an innovative approach. There's not a better example of that than what they're doing here at Copper Island."
School Board President Steve Mattson opened the ceremony by congratulating Laho on receiving her award. "This award recognizes exceptional school leadership and the lasting impact that leadership has on students, staff, families and the broader school community," Mattson said.
According to the Center for Charter Schools website, CMU authorizes 69 schools across Michigan, providing schooling for more than 30,000 students. Laho was originally presented with the award at the CMU Charters Annual Conference in Detroit on Aug. 19 in front of more than 1,000 public charter school teachers, administrators and board members from across the state.
"Some people are extraordinarily good at developing ideas, articulating a vision and inspiring others to believe in it. Others excel at execution, organizing people, establishing systems, solving problems and making an organization work effectively every day," Mattson continued. "It is very rare to find someone who can do both. That, to me, is what makes Nora so exceptional."
Health Science Teacher Liisa Halonen spoke about Laho's leadership and said she is an all-around leader, dedicated to the Copper Island community.
"[She] builds relationships within our community, our school families, business owners and all of the students and staff," Halonen said. "She creates unique educational programming across all the levels."
State Representative Greg Markkanen (R-Hancock) made presented Laho and Copper Island Academy with a joint state tribute on behalf of himself and State Senator Ed McBroom (R-Waucedah Township), congratulating Laho on her achievements.
"This is one of the wonderful things, one of the wonderful activities we get to do as state legislator” Markkanen said. “To come honor someone who's achieved it with a state tribute. This document is signed and dedicated to the honor of Nora Laho."