Lynn Hemann, assistant principal at I.J. Holton Intermediate School, has been named the Administrator of the Year by the Minnesota School Counselors Association.

Hemann was notified of her award late last week, after the announcement by school counselor Farin Delaney, who helped nominate her for the award.

Hemann, 42, has served as assistant principal at I. J. Holton since 2013.

“I love working with kids,” said Hemann on Tuesday, during a short break during her duties at the school. “They mean the world to me — and I believe kids need us in their lives each and every day.”

Delaney, parents and students all joined to nominate Hemann for the honor. The Austin School Board recognized the honor during its meeting Monday.

Selecting Hemann for nomination was not hard, Delaney added.

“She is so deserving for what she does for staff and students,” Delaney said. “She is always putting kids first.”

Sixth grader Joe Ewing, 12, agreed. He also wrote a nomination letter for her.

“She is a fantastic administrator,” he said. “She knows what she’s doing.”

Hemann is a native of Northwood, Iowa, and was influenced in her career choice by an aunt who was a teacher. She graduated with her teaching degree from the University of Northern Iowa. She was first hired as a teacher at Ellis Middle School 18 years ago and was named assistant principal there in 2012, serving there until she came to I. J. Holton in 2013. She has her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, and education leadership licensure.

She and her husband, Bruce, a Mower County sheriff’s deputy, have three children: Morgan, 16, Annika, 13, and Derek, 9.

Despite her own busy life, said Delaney, Hemann makes time to see her I.J. Holton students play in sports, meet with their families when needed, and support them whenever possible.

“She is everywhere,” Delaney said.

“I believe in making a difference for kids,” Hemann said. “Whether that’s academically, socially or emotionally. I lead a diverse set of students and staff and they are very important to me. I feel I work well with our students and our families — I think I make an impact, making those connections.”

Delaney said she doesn’t know how Hemann does all that she does during the day.

“And she has three growing kids of her own,” Delaney said, shaking her head.

Hemann agreed her life can be busy. But when you get right to it, she said, whether they are I. J. Holton kids or her own children, “each one is important,” she said.

“They’re all my kids,” she said.