After 45 Years, A Cedar Island Elementary Teaching Career to End

In April 1968, Barbara Davidson Lawson started her teaching career teaching first grade at Zanewood Elementary School in Brooklyn Park.

“Zanewood was the newest elementary school in the district,” she said. “Potato fields bordered close to the playgrounds.”

The beginning of her teaching career started in the Osseo School District – a time when the district office consisted of two rooms at Osseo Senior High and staff-driven Wastebasket Revue was just beginning.

“I have seen tremendous growth, development and change in the district. Yes, things change. Yet, some things remain the same,” she said.

From her career beginning at Zanewood, Lawson has since moved to Cedar Island Elementary in Maple Grove.

“I have enjoyed teaching at Cedar Island Elementary and I cherish the memories of the academic environment,” she said “Thank you for the opportunity to teach in this community.”

Lawson says the key to teaching is to “respect each child.”

“Their gifts and talents are truly unique and special,” she said.

Lawson’s time educating the Cedar Island Elementary first graders end with her retirement June 2013.