Education Awards
Nebraska District Education Awards were presented during the Great Plains Lutheran Educators’ Conference, held October 17-19, 2026 at Concordia University, Nebraska. Peers, pastors, parents, school board members, current or former students, or members of the congregation nominated candidates for these awards. The next awards will take place in October 2027 at the District’s All Professional Church Workers’ Conference in Kearney. Submit a nomination for 2027 below.
Early Childhood Educator of the Year: Deeann Dupler, Director at Peace Lutheran School, Grand Island
“Deeann led the ministry with gusto coming out of the pandemic and energized the staff to work as a team. During her leadership she has also secured numerous grants to support the preschool, added another classroom, and we began the year with a full staff, full classrooms, and a waiting list. She is dearly loved by the children, the staff, and parents. We are blessed.”
Early Childhood Educator of the Year: Juli Reinke, Teacher at Deshler Lutheran School, Deshler
“Juli cares deeply for the kids entrusted to her care. She is continually pointing them to Jesus and His love for them. She is patient with the kids and kind to every person that comes through the doors of our school. Within our staff, she is always there to listen and encourage. She is a servant who loves Jesus and wants her students, every kid and family, and all people to know the love of Jesus.”
Middle / High School Educator of the Year: Dr. Amanda Hafter, Teacher at Lutheran High Northeast, Norfolk
“Amanda is wonderful to have as a colleague. She is always energetic and her ambition is joyful. Her walk with the Lord is evident in the way she treats others in and out of the classroom. When she sees something that needs to be done, she does it. She shows our students what it looks like to keep learning, try something new, and put in the work.”
Administrator of the Year: Matt Stueber, Principal at Messiah Lutheran School, Lincoln
“Matt’s leadership has made a profound and lasting impact on the health, vitality, and Christ-centered mission of our elementary school. He is an exceptional administrator, a gifted leader of people, and, most importantly, a faithful servant of Jesus Christ. Under Matt’s leadership, Messiah has developed an outstanding team of educators who are truly second to none in our Synod and in our community.”
Parish Worker of the Year: Brittany Fulcer, Director of Christian Education at 1C, Columbus
“Brittany has loved our youth well, pointing them to Jesus at all times. Our youth programming has thrived under Brittany’s leadership. Outside of office hours, Brittany can be found at sporting events, musicals, and other events cheering on and talking to our youth. Many youth share the sentiment that their faith has been strengthened through Brittany’s work and witness.”
Shepherd of the Year: Rev. Todd Kolbaum, Pastor at Trinity, Madison
“Pastor Kollbaum’s service at Trinity has truly been a blessing to all of us, but especially to our young people. His ability to reach them where they are at has been awesome to watch. His enjoyment around our school children is obvious each Sunday in his children’s sermons as they all run up to hear his message. His service to our youth at Trinity, Madison, and at Lutheran High Northeast has made an impact on all of them that will last long into their lives.”
About the Nomination Process and Award Categories
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 1 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)
Award: Nebraska District Elementary Educator 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)
Award: Nebraska District Middle/ High School Educator 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)
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
- 2024 — Chad Bryant, Christ Lutheran Childcare, Norfolk
- 2023 — Kelsey Schnoor, St. John Early Learning Center, Battle Creek
- 2021 — Sheryl Tietz, Jesus Our Savior Preschool, Winnebago
- 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 Educator of the Year
- 2024 — Kayla Marty, Concordia Academy, Omaha
- 2023 — Sandy Bangert, Messiah, Lincoln
- 2021 — Doni Douglass, Christ, Lincoln
- 2018 — Cindy Kuntz, Concordia Academy, Omaha
- 2017 — Tammy Schroeder, St. Paul, West Point
Middle/High School Educator of the Year
- 2024 — Jonathan Baumgartel, St. John, Battle Creek
- 2023 — Phil Carlson, Lutheran High Northeast, Norfolk
- 2021 — Sean Wieting, Lincoln Lutheran Middle/Senior High School, Lincoln
- 2018 — Preston Sunderman, Lutheran High Northeast, Norfolk
- 2017 — Jim Hardt, St. John, Battle Creek
Administrator of the Year
- 2024 — Todd Voss, Deshler Lutheran School
- 2023 — Nathan Domsch, Concordia Academy, Omaha
- 2021 — David Kumm, Trinity, Lincoln
- 2018 — Kari Penrose, St. Paul, West Point
- 2017 — Tony Splittgerber, Zion, Kearney
Shepherd of the Year
- 2024 — Rev. Adam Snoberger, Grand Island
- 2023 — Rev. Jim DeLoach, Zion, Kearney
- 2021 — Rev. Brad Birtell, St. John, Columbus
- 2018 — Rev. Mike Neidow, Emmanuel-Faith, York
- 2017 — Rev. Rick Kanoy, St. Paul’s, Arlington
Parish Worker of the Year
- 2024 — Ann Anderson, Mt. Calvary, Holdrege
- 2023 — Brady Laib, First, Papillion
- 2021 — Christine Ekberg, Our Savior, Norfolk
- 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