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Educational Excellence Awards

EE Award winner at Gretna East High School

We are very excited to have you join us for the Educational Excellence Awards celebration on Tuesday, May 20th, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Gretna East Commons. All staff, family, and friends are welcome to attend. 

Please RSVP here by Monday, May 12th. An accurate head count is important to ensure we have enough food and seating for all attendees!

The night of the event schedule will go as follows:
4:00 pm socialize and grab light refreshments
4:15 pm Ceremony will start
6:00 pm event conclusion

We look forward to celebrating our winners and sharing why they were chosen as Educational Excellence Award recipients!

Educational Excellence Award Header

The Gretna Public Schools Foundation is pleased to announce the 3rd Annual Educational Excellence Award Recipients Presented by MCL Construction!

Administrator of the Year: Scott Vanderheiden, Transportation Administrator

Educator of the Year (K-5): Lauren Alvarado, Harvest Hills Elementary School

Educator of the Year (6-8): Cindy Henning, Aspen Creek Middle School

Educator of the Year (9-12): Kiley Luchsinger, Gretna East High School

Rookie Teacher of the Year: Nathan Wallace, Gretna East High School

Pre-K Educator of the Year: Haley Walther, Thomas Elementary School

Para Support Staff of the Year: Sandra Tiefenthaler, Aspen Creek Middle School

Counselor of the Year: Kiely Hermeling, Gretna Middle School 

Custodian of the Year: Jeff Hogle, Palisades Elementary School

Driver of the Year: Gary Golike, Whitetail Creek Elementary School

Grounds/Maintenance Staff of the Year: Mark Vosler, Gretna Public Schools

Nurse of the Year: Melanie Van Blarcom, Harvest Hills Elementary School

Nutrition/FANS Staff of the Year: Brian Shearer, Falling Waters Elementary School

Secretary of the Year: Katie Kirchofer, Gretna Middle School 

Special Education Educator of the Year: Diane Marshall, Cedar Hollow Elementary

Specialist Teacher of the Year: Justin Haberman, Gretna East High School

Winners were presented with a personal invitation to attend our awards ceremony on May 20, 2025 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm in the Gretna East Commons where everyone is welcome to attend. We will provide appetizers and refreshments. All award recipients will be given a physical award as well as a monetary award that evening.  The administrator will be given their monetary award in the form of a grant to do something for their building.

Thank you to MCL Construction for sponsoring the 2025 Education Excellence Awards!

 

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, 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

 

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

Our Impact During the 2023 - 2024 School Year

  • Local Scholarships Given

    $109,100

  • Student Enrollment

    6,261

  • Classroom Grants

    $64,000

  • Certified Teachers

    474

© 2025 Gretna Public Schools Foundation
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