2023-2024 Educational Excellence Award Winners
Congratulations to the award winners for the 2nd Annual Educational Excellence Awards!
Administrator of the Year
Chad Jepsen, Gretna East High School
9-12 Educator of the Year
Kim Wasalaski, Gretna High School
6-8 Educator of the Year
Cody King, Gretna Middle School
K-5 Educator of the Year
Katie Mason, Aspen Creek Elementary
Rookie Educator of the Year
Nicole Schlautman, Gretna East High School
Pre-K Educator of the Year
Lindsey Voegele, Gretna Elementary School
Para Support Staff of the Year
Shannon Willey, Gretna East High School
SPED Educator of the Year
Paula Burns, Gretna Public Schools
Counselor of the Year
Ashley Hergott, Harvest Hills Elementary School
Custodian of the Year
Tim O'Brien, Gretna East High School
Driver of the Year
Mary Vandenbroucke, Squire John Thomas Elementary School
Grounds/Maintenance Staff of the Year
Clint Christensen, Gretna Public Schools
Nurse of the Year
Jackie Bolas, Gretna Middle School
Nutrition/FANS Staff of the Year
Sharon Kerr, Gretna Public Schools
Secretary of the Year
Ginny DeBates, Aspen Creek Middle School
Each winner received both a physical award and a monetary award. The Administrator of the Year received a grant to be used towards any needs they see fit in their school building. All other staff were given a personal check from the Gretna Public Schools Foundation. Thank you to MCL Construction for sponsoring these awards!
2022-2023 Educational Excellence Award Winners
2023 was the first year we awarded the Educational Excellence Awards across the District. The winners were nominated from their peers, students and families throughout the District and then selected by a committee of their peers. MCL Construction donated the funds to support this endeavor.
- Bret Basye, Principal at TES (Administrator of the Year)
- Amanda Siemers, Resource Teacher at GHS (9-12 Educator of the Year)
- Chris Tucker, Band Director at GMS (6-8 Educator of the Year)
- Jan Leehy, 3rd Grade Teacher at AES (K-5 Educator of the Year)
- Katelyn Wallace, Choir Teacher at GHS (Rookie Educator of the Year)
- Miranda Fallon, Preschool at FES (Pre-K Educator of the Year)
- Cassie Benak, Behavioral Interventionist/Counselor at GHS (Counselor of the Year)
- Jody Faris, Custodian at GES (Custodian of the Year)
- Ardell Savage, Driver at GPS (Driver of the Year)
- Dan Dzingle, Maintenance at GPS (Grounds/Maintenance of the Year)
- Ashley Koch, Nurse at GHS (Nurse of the Year)
- Pam Heon, Nutrition at GES (Nutrition/FANS Staff of the Year)
- Hannah Obiden, Resource Para at FES (Para/SPED Support Staff of the Year)
- Kristie Hazuka, Library Para at WES (Para/SPED Support Staff of the Year)
- Amy Huckins, Para at GES (Para/SPED Support Staff of the Year)
- Lisa Batenhorst, Secretary at ACMS (Secretary of the Year)
Thanks to our generous donor, MCL Construction, we were able to honor educators, support staff, and administrators that have made significant and positive contributions to Gretna students, schools, and the Gretna community