In Recognition of Excellence
Every year, educators from Lutheran settings nominate their colleagues for special recognition. These are educators who are:
- Active both in the local as well as the Lutheran community
- Have a strong, demonstrated commitment to serve Jesus
- Have shown a commitment to excellence in meeting the social, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive needs of children, youth, adults, and/or families
Awards Criteria
LEA is honored to announce the 2026 Award recipients.
Christus Magister
Lorinda Sankey
Concordia University Nebraska
Seward, NE
Distinguished Lutheran Elementary Administrator
Bruce Volkert
Trinity Lutheran School
Utica, MI
Distinguished Lutheran Early Childhood Administrator
Lori Schneider
Seeds of Grace Christian Child Development Center
Northbrook, IL
Distinguished Lutheran Early Childhood Teacher
Melinda Hanke
St. Paul’s Lutheran School
Des Peres, MO
Distinguished Lutheran Elementary Teacher
Caitlin McGaffick
Divine Redeemer Lutheran School
Hartland, WI
Distinguished Lutheran Middle School Teacher
Katarina Stiek
Immanuel Lutheran School
Palatine, IL
Distinguished Lutheran Secondary Educator
Phillip Wilke
Concordia Lutheran High School
Tomball, TX
Outstanding New Lutheran Early Childhood Teacher
Katie Kane
Bethany Lutheran School
Parma, OH
Outstanding New Lutheran Elementary Teacher
Abigail Lieb
Christ Greenfield Lutheran School
Gilbert, AZ
Outstanding New Lutheran Middle School Teacher
Christa Bauer
Lutheran North Middle & High School
St. Louis, MO
Outstanding New Lutheran Secondary Educator
Lindsey Bahr
Lake Country Lutheran High School
Hartland, WI
Distinguished Lutheran School Team Pastor
Rev. Matthew Schilling
Trinity Lutheran Church School
Davenport, IA
Esther Award
Tia Esser
Sioux Falls Lutheran School
Sioux Falls, S.D.
Distinguished Retired Lutheran Educator
Beverly Brueggemann
Grafton, WI