Help the Nebraska District recognize our outstanding educators! The following awards will be presented at the 2021 All Professional Church Workers’ Conference in October.
- Early Childhood Educator of the Year
- Elementary Teacher of the Year
- Middle/High School Teacher of the Year
- Administrator of the Year
- Shepherd of the Year
- Parish Worker of the Year
Nomination Process:
• Peers, pastors, parents, school board members, current or former students, or members of the congregation may nominate candidates for the award.
• Complete a nomination form by September 1st. (see below)
• Once the pool of nominees has been narrowed, the selection committee may contact the nominator for additional information.
To nominate an educator, select an award below, then complete and submit the corresponding Google Form (no Gmail account required). Nominations are due to the District Office on or before September 15 of each year.
Award: Nebraska District Early Childhood Educator of the Year
Eligible Candidates: Early Childhood & Preschool Teachers
Nominees must be actively serving as a full-time employee of an LCMS entity.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,
for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14)
Nominate an Early Childhood Educator
Award: Nebraska District Elementary Teacher of the Year
Eligible Candidates: Kindergarten – 5th Grade Teachers
Nominees must be actively serving as a full-time employee of an LCMS entity.
“Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
Nominate an Elementary Teacher
Award: Nebraska District Middle/ High School Teacher of the Year
Eligible Candidates: 6th Grade – 12th Grade Teachers
Nominees must be actively serving as a full-time employee of an LCMS entity.
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children
are walking in the truth.” (3 John 3:4)
Nominate a Middle or High School Teacher
Award: Nebraska District Administrator of the Year
Eligible Candidates: Early Childhood Directors, Head Teachers, Principals, & Executive Directors of Nebraska District Lutheran Schools
Nominees must be actively serving as a full-time employee of an LCMS entity.
“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:43-45)
Award: Nebraska District Shepherd of the Year
Eligible Candidates: Pastors who serve an LCMS congregation with a school, early childhood center, preschool, daycare, or other educational facility.
Nominees must be actively serving as a full-time pastor of an LCMS entity committed to Christian education.
“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists,
the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service,
so that the body of Christ may be built up.” Ephesians 4:11-12
Award: Nebraska District Parish Worker of the Year
Eligible Candidates: DCE’s, Music Directors, Other Full-time professional Church-workers working in a Parish, etc. who work at a Nebraska District LCMS congregation (with an LCMS educational facility)
Nominees must be actively serving as a full-time employee of an LCMS entity committed to Christian education.
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm.
Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord,
because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58 )
Previous Award Recipients
Early Childhood Educator of the Year
- 2018 — Andrea Way, Little Blessings (Emmanuel-Faith), York
- 2017 — Sherry Thimijan, Messiah, Lincoln
- 2015 — Kay Storck, Lamb of God, Omaha
- 2014 — Dawn Gilfry, Trinity, Fremont
- 2013 — Connie Dirks, Trinity, Lincoln
- 2012 — Lauren Sommerer, St. John CDC, Seward
- 20111 — Shery Fiene, King of Kings, Omaha
- 2010 — Lisa Stirtz, Wee Lambs, Gretna
Elementary Teacher of the Year
- 2018 — Cindy Kuntz, Concordia Academy, Omaha
- 2017 — Tammy Schroeder, St. Paul, West Point
Middle/High School Teacher of the Year
- 2018 — Preston Sunderman, Lutheran High Northeast, Norfolk
- 2017 — Jim Hardt, St. John, Battle Creek
Administrator of the Year
- 2018 — Kari Penrose, St. Paul, West Point
- 2017 — Tony Splittgerber, Zion, Kearney
Shepherd of the Year
- 2018 — Rev. Mike Neidow, Emmanuel-Faith, York
- 2017 — Rev. Rick Kanoy, St. Paul’s, Arlington
Parish Worker of the Year
- 2018 — Rebecca Fisher, Christ, Lincoln
- 2017 — Marty Hein, Messiah, Lincoln
| Elementary/High School Educator of the Year |
|
| 2015 | Harlan Anson–Our Redeemer, Staplehurst |
| 2014 | Steve Zehnder–Concordia Jr./Sr. High, Omaha |
| 2013 | Jim Knoepfel–Trinity, Fremont |
| 2012 | Lynette Naber–Emmanuel/Faith, York |
| 2011 | Karen Reynolds–Concordia, Omaha |
| 2010 | Janice Endorf–Zion, Tobias |
| 2009 | Sue Sylvester–St. John, Seward |
| 2008 | Cassandra McMahan–Faith, Lincoln |
| 2007 | Bob Saeger–Immanuel, Polk |
| 2006 | Dallas Koffarnus–Zion, Hastings |
| 2005 | Darla Rosendahl–Concordia, Omaha |
| 2004 | Paul Leckband–Lutheran High Northeast |
