Education Awards
Church workers from across the Nebraska District gathered in Kearney for the 2024 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. Nominees must be actively serving as a full-time employee of an LCMS entity.
Early Childhood Educator of the Year: Chad Bryant, Director at Christ Lutheran Childcare, Norfolk
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)
Elementary Teacher of the Year: Kayla Marty, Teacher at Concordia Academy, Omaha
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
Middle/High School Teacher of the Year: Jonathan Baumgartel, Teacher at St. John, Battle Creek
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 3:4)
Administrator of the Year: Todd Voss, Principal at Deshler Lutheran School
“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)
Parish Worker of the Year: Ann Anderson, Director of Christian Education at Mt. Calvary, Holdrege
“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)
Shepherd of the Year: Rev. Adam Snoberger, Pastor at Trinity, Grand Island
“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
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 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)
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)
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
- 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 Teacher of the Year
- 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 Teacher of the Year
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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