South school briefs: Inver Grove Heights PE teacher honored by Heart Association

Kelly Darrow, a physical education teacher at Pine Bend Elementary School, was honored last Thursday by the American Heart Association as a Volunteer of the Year.

Darrow was recognized by for her ongoing contributions to Jump Rope for Heart, an American Heart Association fundraiser. This year, Pine Bend students raised more than $20,000 for the program, the second highest amount in school history.

Pine Bend is consistently among the top Jump Rope for Heart fundraisers in Minnesota.

District 720 has named Nancy Thul as the new director of teaching and learning.

Thul has served as the secondary teaching and learning supervisor at Eastern Carver County Schools for six years. She's also been an assistant principal and professional development coordinator in that district and served in other roles in the Minnetonka and St. Louis Park districts.

In addition, she's served as an adjunct professor and taught graduate courses in education at Minnesota State University.

She will start her new job in July.

Superintendent Jane Berenz will explain the role of board members, share information about the district and answer questions at the meeting. ­Candidates must be 21 years old by January 2014, reside in the district for a month before the election, and they cannot be registered as a sex offender.

Residents must file their candidacy between Tuesday, July 30, and Tuesday, Aug. 13. All positions are for four-year terms. For more information, call 651-423-7736.

Three employees of District 191 have been selected as Employees of the Year for 2013.

Sherry Gilbertson, an educational assistant from Vista View Elementary School, Lori Huberty, a food service employee at Metcalf Junior High in Burnsville, and Myron Shuur, a districtwide maintenance worker, were recognized.

The three were nominated by co-workers and chosen for their job performance, attitude and positive influence on those they interact with daily.

Amoroso was picked from a pool of candidates following three rounds of interviews.

She has held several positions with Mankato Area Public Schools, including as an elementary and high school teacher, an assistant principal and a reading coordinator. Most recently, she's been the Mankato district's director of curriculum and instruction for more than a decade.

She will replace Chris Lindholm in the assistant superintendent position beginning July 1.

The Burnsville High School Blazettes dance team will hold two carwash fundraisers, one Saturday and the other on July 20. Both will be at the Holiday gas station on Cedar Avenue and Cliff Road in Eagan from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.