Educational Excellence Awards

Educational Excellence Awards

A huge congratulations to all of our winners of this year's Education Excellence Awards. On Monday, May 4, we were able to join MCL Construction to surprise all of our winners, who were nominated by fellow teachers, administrators, and even parents.

This year's winners are:

Para Support Staff of the Year: Lynn Snoza, Aspen Creek Middle School 
District-Wide Support Staff of the Year: Trina Waller, Gretna Public Schools
In-Building Support Staff of the Year: Sheryl Emanuel, Harvest Hills Elementary School
Rookie Educator of the Year: Zoe Chagnon, Gretna High School
Special Education Educator of the Year: Karen (Wille) Johnson, Gretna & Whitetail Creek Elementary Schools
Educator of the Year (PreK-5): Cole Kohout, Thomas Elementary School 
Educator of the Year (6-8): Julia Krebs, Aspen Creek Middle School 
Specials Educator of the Year: Erica Walsh, GPS Middle Schools
Educator of the Year (9-12): Lauren Michal, Gretna East High School 
Administrator of the Year: Jake Runyon, Cedar Hollow Elementary School

2025 Annual Educational Excellence Award Recipients

We had the privilege of honoring our 2025 Educational Excellence Award recipients with a dedicated awards ceremony this year. We are grateful to the families, friends, and colleagues who joined us in celebrating these outstanding individuals. It was a meaningful way to mark the conclusion of an exceptional 2024–2025 academic year at Gretna Public Schools.

2023 was the first year we awarded the Educational Excellence Awards across the District and we have continued with this tradition. Award recipients are nominated from their peers, students and families throughout the District and then selected by a committee of their peers. 

Thanks to our generous donor, MCL Construction, we are able to honor educators, support staff, and administrators that have made significant and positive contributions to Gretna students, schools, and the Gretna community.