Awards

Mary Scott

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

 

 

2026 Award Nominations Are Now Closed

Nominate a worthy colleagure for one of LEA's annual awards.

Learn more abou the awards below at Awards Criteria.

Nomination Form

Awards Criteria

Christus Magister

Christus Magister

This has long been considered LEA's premier award and is associated with the Board of Directors. A nominee will have demonstrated excellence in the following areas, as appropriate to their ministry:

  • Classroom teaching
  • Administration
  • Supervision
  • Parish education
  • Research
  • Publications
  • Educational leadership
Distinguished Lutheran School Team Pastor

Distinguished Lutheran School Team Pastor

This award is associated with the Board of Directors and not directly associated with any single Network. Nominees…

  • equip faculty and staff for education ministry and partner with them in the teaching of the faith.
  • support the administrative leadership of the school in word and deed.
  • engage with faculty and staff in team ministry.
  • infuse outreach to the school community in the church’s ministry.
  • is committed to excellence in Christian education.
Leader in Outreach

Leader in Outreach

This award is associated with the Board of Directors and not directly associated with any single Network. Nominees…

  • infuse outreach in his or her given ministry.
  • are dedicated to reaching the lost.
  • incorporates outreach into his or her ministry area.
  • witnesses and proclaims Christ’s saving message.
  • encourages evangelism.
Distinguished Lutheran Early Childhood Administrator

Distinguished Lutheran Early Childhood Administrator

This award is associated with the Early Childhood Educators Network (ECEnet) and with the Leadership Network (LEADnet). Nominees...

  • are equipped and willing to profess and teach Christian faith from a Lutheran perspective.
  • demonstrate outstanding leadership through curriculum development, staff professionalism and morale, and family involvement.
  • are a member of one or more professional associations.
  • are committed to National Lutheran School Accreditation or other accreditation if not serving an LCMS school.
Distinguished Lutheran Early Childhood Teacher

Distinguished Lutheran Early Childhood Teacher

This award is associated with the Early Childhood Educators Network (ECEnet) for teachers in grades P-2nd with four or more years of experience. Nominees...

  • are equipped and willing to profess and teach the Christian faith from a Lutheran perspective.
  • demonstrate effective teaching skills.
  • demonstrate commitment to excellence and meeting the social, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive needs of children and families.
  • teach grades P-2nd.
Distinguished Lutheran Elementary Administrator

Distinguished Lutheran Elementary Administrator

This award is associated with the Leadership Network (LEADnet). Nominees...

  • are equipped and willing to profess and teach the Christian faith from a Lutheran perspective.
  • demonstrate outstanding leadership through curriculum development, staff professionalism and morale, and family involvement.
  • are a member of one or more professional associations.
  • are committed to National Lutheran School Accreditation or other accreditation if not serving an LCMS school.
Distinguished Lutheran Elementary Teacher

Distinguished Lutheran Elementary Teacher

This award is associated with the Elementary Teachers Network (ETnet) for teachers in grades 3rd-5th with four or more years of experience. Nominees...

  • are strongly committed to serving Jesus.
  • are active in the local community as well as the Lutheran community.
  • are committed to excellence and to meeting the social, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive needs of children and families.
  • are equipped and willing to profess and teach the Christian faith from a Lutheran perspective.
  • demonstrate effective teaching skills.
  • teach grades 3rd-5th.
Distinguished Lutheran Middle School Teacher

Distinguished Lutheran Middle School Teacher

This award is associated with the Middle School Teachers Network (MIDnet) for teachers in grades 6th-8th with four or more years of experience. Nominees…

  • are strongly committed to serving Jesus.
  • are active in the local community as well as the Lutheran community.
  • are committed to excellence and to meeting the social, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive needs of children and families.
  • are equipped and willing to profess and teach the Christian faith from a Lutheran perspective.
  • demonstrate effective teaching skills.
  • teach grades 6th-8th.
Distinguished Lutheran Secondary Educator

Distinguished Lutheran Secondary Educator

This award is associated with the Secondary Educators Network (SECnet) for teachers in grades 9th-12th with four or more years of experience. Nominees...

  • demonstrate a strong commitment to serving Jesus.
  • are active in the local community as well as the Lutheran community.
  • are committed to excellence and to meeting the social, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive needs of students.
  • are equipped and willing to profess and teach the Christian faith from a Lutheran perspective.
  • demonstrate effective professional skills and relational skills.
  • are a member of one or more professional associations.
  • teach grades 9th-12th
Distinguished Parish Educator

Distinguished Parish Educator

This award is associated with the Parish Educators Network (PEN). Worthy nominees are active parish educators serving a Lutheran institution in an education role outside a school or early childhood center. Nominees…

  • have at least five years of experience as a parish educator.
  • are equipped and actively professing and teaching the Christian faith from a Lutheran perspective.
  • equip others for education ministry and partner with them in the teaching of the faith.
  • demonstrate leadership.
  • are committed to excellence in Christian education.
Distinguished Retired Lutheran Educator Award

Distinguished Retired Lutheran Educator "EncourAGING" Award

This award is associated with the Retired Lutheran Educators Network (EncourAGEnet). Nominees…

  • are a retired educator in a Lutheran ministry.
  • have ministered in Lutheran Christian education for many years.
  • have been active in both the local and Lutheran communities.
  • continue servant volunteerism in congregation and community as God provides health and strength.
Outstanding New Lutheran Early Childhood Teacher

Outstanding New Lutheran Early Childhood Teacher

This award is associated with the Early Childhood Educators Network (ECEnet) for teachers in grades P-2nd with three or fewer years of experience. Nominees...

  • are equipped and willing to profess and teach the Christian faith from a Lutheran perspective.
  • demonstrate effective teaching skills.
  • demonstrate commitment to excellence and meeting the social, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive needs of children and families.
  • teach grades P-2nd.
Outstanding New Lutheran Elementary Teacher

Outstanding New Lutheran Elementary Teacher

This award is associated with the Elementary Teachers Network (ETnet) for teachers in grades 3rd-5th with three or fewer years of experience. Nominees...

  • are strongly committed to serving Jesus.
  • are active in the local community as well as the Lutheran community.
  • are committed to excellence and to meeting the social, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive needs of children and families.
  • are equipped and willing to profess and teach the Christian faith from a Lutheran perspective.
  • demonstrate effective teaching skills.
  • teach grades 3rd-5th.
Outstanding New Lutheran Middle School Teacher

Outstanding New Lutheran Middle School Teacher

This award is associated with the Middle School Teachers Network (MIDnet) for teachers in grades 6th-8th with three or fewer years experience. Nominees...

  • are strongly committed to serving Jesus.
  • are active in the local community as well as the Lutheran community.
  • are committed to excellence and to meeting the social, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive needs of children and families.
  • are equipped and willing to profess and teach the Christian faith from a Lutheran perspective.
  • demonstrate effective teaching skills.
  • teach grades 6th-8th.
Outstanding New Lutheran Secondary Educator

Outstanding New Lutheran Secondary Educator

This award is associated with the Secondary Educators Network (SECnet) for teachers of grades 9th-12th with three or fewer years of experience. Nominees...

  • demonstrate a strong commitment to serving Jesus with strong potential for future service in Lutheran education.
  • are active in the local community as well as the Lutheran community.
  • are committed to excellence and to meeting the social, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive needs of students.    
  • are equipped and willing to profess and teach the Christian faith from a Lutheran perspective.
  • demonstrate effective teaching skills..
  • are a member of one or more professional associations.
  • teach grades 9th-12th.
Esther Award

Esther

This award is associated with the LEA staff and Board of Directors. It is presented for exemplary and dedicated leadership and perseverance on behalf of Lutheran education, as an example of attributing key characteristics in facilitating needed change that positively affects outcomes in ministry. Examples include being courageous and bold, obedient and teachable, wise and strategic, faithful and prayerful, to include loyalty and resilience. From Scripture, implying that one of God’s people can be placed in a position for a specific purpose, Mordecai’s words echo this award: “For such a time as this…”.

LEA is honored to announce the 2026 Award recipients.

Lorinda Sankey-Photo
Christus Magister

Lorinda Sankey

Concordia University Nebraska

Seward, NE

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Bruce Volkert-Photo
Distinguished Lutheran Elementary Administrator

Bruce Volkert

Trinity Lutheran School

Utica, MI

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Lori-Scheider-Photo
Distinguished Lutheran Early Childhood Administrator

Lori Schneider

Seeds of Grace Christian Child Development Center

Northbrook, IL

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Melinda Hanke-Photo
Distinguished Lutheran Early Childhood Teacher

Melinda Hanke

St. Paul’s Lutheran School

Des Peres, MO  

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Caitlin-McGaffick-Photo
Distinguished Lutheran Elementary Teacher

Caitlin McGaffick

Divine Redeemer Lutheran School

Hartland, WI

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Katie Stiek-Photo
Distinguished Lutheran Middle School Teacher

Katarina Stiek

Immanuel Lutheran School

Palatine, IL

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Phillip Wilke-Photo
Distinguished Lutheran Secondary Educator

Phillip Wilke

Concordia Lutheran High School

Tomball, TX

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Katie-Kane-Photo
Outstanding New Lutheran Early Childhood Teacher

Katie Kane

Bethany Lutheran School

Parma, OH

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Abigail-Lieb
Outstanding New Lutheran Elementary Teacher

Abigail Lieb

Christ Greenfield Lutheran School

Gilbert, AZ

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Christa-Bauer-Photo
Outstanding New Lutheran Middle School Teacher

Christa Bauer

Lutheran North Middle & High School

St. Louis, MO

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Lindsey Bahr-Photo
Outstanding New Lutheran Secondary Educator

Lindsey Bahr

Lake Country Lutheran High School

Hartland, WI

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Matthew-Schilling-Photo-scaled
Distinguished Lutheran School Team Pastor

Rev. Matthew Schilling

Trinity Lutheran Church School

Davenport, IA

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Tia Esser-Photo
Esther Award

Tia Esser

Sioux Falls Lutheran School

Sioux Falls, S.D.

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Mrs. B. Brueggemann
Distinguished Retired Lutheran Educator

Beverly Brueggemann

Grafton, WI

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LEA’s Past Award Recipients

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