Education Awards
Church workers from across the Nebraska District gathered in Kearney for the 2021 All Professional Church Workers’ Conference, and one of the highlights of the event was presenting the following awards to some of our District’s outstanding educators:
Early Childhood Educator of the Year: Sheryl Tietz, Director/Teacher at Jesus Our Savior Preschool, Winnebago
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)
“Sheryl is entering her ninth year as director/teacher at Jesus Our Savior Preschool, and her love for teaching the love of Jesus is contagious.”
“’Let your light so shine before men.’ That describes Sheryl… She exudes warmth and genuine caring, which endears her to her students and their families… She is always looking for ways to reach her students and help them reach their full potential.”
Elementary Teacher of the Year: Doni Douglass, 1st grade teacher at Christ, Lincoln
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)
“In the classroom or out, she makes learning interesting and fun, while ensuring her kids’ roots are in Christ.”
“When the school closed due to COVID, her remote teaching was unmatched…and she still found ways to make the kids feel connected and special while at home.”
“Doni strives to provide her students with a faith-filled experience.”
Middle/High School Teacher of the Year: Sean Wieting, 6th grade home room teacher and coach at Lincoln Lutheran Middle/Senior High School
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)
“Coach Wieting is a blessing to our school and community. He always takes a sincere interest in his students and learns about each one of them, their interests, their strengths, their families, and their worries and fears. He challenges them academically, but he truly motivates them spiritually.”
“Sean can be counted on to provide faith-filled devotions at various school events… He models prayer and Christian discipleship to the students in his classes…”
“Most importantly, he loves sharing about Jesus every day.”
Administrator of the Year: David Kumm, Principal at Trinity, Lincoln
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)
“The mission statement of Trinity is ‘Connecting People to Christ in His Word and Love.’ Under Mr. Kumm’s leadership, the school has carried out its mission admirably.”
“He builds relationships with his staff, students, and school families. Students enjoy seeing the excitement, joy, and love of learning that he demonstrates daily. Mr. Kumm is always willing to listen and shows support for his staff.”
“[Mr. Kumm’s] compassion for children, dedication to the teachers, and faithfulness to our Lord’s kingdom are regularly on display. [He has] the tenacity of an administrator and the gentleness of a loving father.”
Parish Worker of the Year: Christine Ekberg, Director of Family Life at Our Savior, Norfolk
Eligible candidates: DCEs, 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)
“Christine is dedicated not just to youth ministry, but to the families at Our Savior. She makes it easy for volunteers to use their gifts to point people to Christ. She loves the youth and desires for them to know their Lord and Savior.”
“She is one of the hardest workers I know… She is someone I know I can come to at any time with questions about work, about being a parent, or about any struggle.”
“She saw potential in me as a youth when maybe I didn’t see it myself, which challenged me, helped me grow, and spoke volumes to me, even to this day.”
Shepherd of the Year: Rev. Brad Birtell, Senior Pastor at St. John, Columbus
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
“Rev. Birtell is passionate about Lutheran education and tirelessly promotes all Lutheran education, not only for St. John’s but also Concordia University, Nebraska, and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. His actions and influence match his words: St. John’s, part of a very small, rural community, has sent over 40 graduates to CUNE in the past 20 years.”
“He is visible before, during, and after the school day and has a great rapport with the children. He is very interactive with the staff and students.”
“He is a fantastic leader that helps our youth grow in their faith, starting with his hands on work in confirmation, continuing through weekly high school youth group, and continuing into college with mission trips. He is the definition of a School Shepherd—not just for our school, but for the entire community.”
Peers, pastors, parents, school board members, current or former students, or members of the congregation may nominate candidates for the award. Nominations for these awards are collected year-round on our website, and are due to the District Office on or before September 1 of each award year.
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 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 )
Bob Ziegler, Education and Youth Ministries
Consults with congregations and commissioned ministers regarding the call proces and ministry opportunities. He is also available to resource congregations in the area of youth ministry.
Candi Menze, Assistant for Education and Youth
Helps with call documents and forms for teachers and DCEs. She is a vital part of coordinating Middle and High School Youth Gatherings, and the District Convention.
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