2009 LEA Educator Awards Recipients        

Affirming Educators

Lutheran Education Association affirms exemplary educators through  annual awards.

Each award recognizes educational ministry characterized by strong commitment to serving Jesus Christ and excellence and effectiveness in teaching, leadership, and professionalism. Specific qualifications appear in each nomination document and on the Network Web pages.

LEA confers awards after nominations and nominee self-profiles are considered by a panel of peers, which chooses honorees based on the merits described in supporting documents.

Awards are presented during the year of selection, but all recipients are honored again at LEA's triennial Convocations.

2009 Awards

LEA is pleased to announce the following awards and their recipients. Press releases on each recipient will be available in February.

Christus Magister

John Brandt, Saginaw, Michigan

Master Director of Christian Education

Jill Hasstedt, Belleville, Illinois

Outstanding New Director of Christian Education

Sandi Grupe, Carrollton, Texas

Distinguished Lutheran Elementary Administrator

Gail Holzer, Oakmont, Pennsylvania

Distinguished Lutheran Early Childhood Teacher

Amy Neumann, Mt. Prospect, Illinois

Outstanding New Early Childhood Teacher

Leah Schmidt, Oviedo, Florida

Distinguished Lutheran Secondary Educator

Jeffrey Daley, Chicago, Illinois

Outstanding New Elementary Teacher

Katrina Kloess, Tinley Park, Illinois

Leader in Outreach

Terry Schmidt, St. Louis, Missouri

Distinguished Lutheran International Educators

Louise and Michael Weber, Shanghai, China