Past Recipients of the Excellence in Teaching Award

In 2008, the Nelson Family Foundation established the Excellence in Teaching Award. This award honors outstanding teachers or counselors from the Council Bluffs and Lewis Central School Districts. Award recipients are chosen based on their knowledge, skills, and abilities both inside and outside the classroom, benefiting young people, as well as the community.

2024

• Tara Cavanagh, Titan Hill Intermediate School
• Andrew Ellis, Edison Elementary School
• Jordan Preston, College View Elementary
• Emily Schwery, Kreft Primary School
• Tricia Suchsland, Abraham Lincoln High School

2023

• Christy Heckman, Abraham Lincoln High School
• Lu McClellen, Thomas Jefferson High School
• Kevin Palu, Lewis Central High School
• Danielle Philmon, College View Elementary
• Julie Ruzicka, Kreft Primary School

2022

• Susan Drustrup, Titan Hill Intermediate School
• Denise Hoag, Thomas Jefferson High School
• Becky Liston, College View Elementary
• Traci Stoop, Abraham Lincoln High School
• Nathan Van Zante, Lewis Central Middle School

2021

• Joanna Drummey-Weber, Rue Elementary
• Jane Hanigan-Kinney, Abraham Lincoln High School
• Deb Hernandez, Kirn Middle School
• Taylor Lund, Kreft Primary School
• Corrie Wohlers, Lewis Central Middle School

2019

• Stephanie Donner, Titan Hill Intermediate School
• Amy Gustafson, Franklin Elementary
• Carla Hartenhoff, Thomas Jefferson High School
• Penny Matuszeski, Kirn Middle School
• Joel Nelson, Abraham Lincoln High School

2018

• Brett Ford, Lewis Central High School
• Belinda Jacoby, Titan Hill Intermediate School
• Jennifer Pearce, College View Elementary
• Zach Pope, Thomas Jefferson High School
• Dick Wettengel, Kanesville Alternative Learning Center

2017

• April Balm, Thomas Jefferson High School
• Joan Goeser, Titan Hill Intermediate School
• Mark Mendell, Abraham Lincoln High School
• Kristine Rush, Franklin Elementary
• Sarah Steinmetz, Abraham Lincoln High School

2016

• Mary Aney, College View Elementary
• Tracy Bellamy, Kanesville Alternative Learning Center
• Gjoa King, Carter Lake Elementary
• Ann Nun, Kreft Primary
• Christine Sutherland, Kreft Primary

2015

• Anne Benson, Kreft Primary School
• Sharon Crawford, Abraham Lincoln High School
• James Giles, Thomas Jefferson High School
• Charissa Haney, Thomas Jefferson High School
• Carolyn Ridenour, Kanesville Alternative Learning Center

2014

• Brooke Bunten, Kanesville Alternative Learning Center
• Gina Johnson, Titan Hill Intermediate School
• Trudy Kimble, Lewis Central Middle School
• Marleen Peterson, Thomas Jefferson High School
• Heidi White, Kreft Primary School

2013

• Kay Durfey, Kanesville Alternative Learning Center
• Amy Higginbotham, Kreft Primary
• Sandy Leaders, Thomas Jefferson High School
• Jennifer Stroup, Titan Hill Intermediate School
• Dirk Waller, Abraham Lincoln High School

2012

• Deb Carlson, Hoover Elementary
• Deb Masker, Kim Middle School
• Heather Nano, Kreft Primary School
• Elizabeth Smith, Kreft Primary School
• Diane Storey, Thomas Jefferson High School

2011

• Kristy Courter, Abraham Lincoln High School
• Lee Dwyer, Kreft Primary School
• Karla Hughes, Thomas Jefferson High School
• Terry McNeal, Edison Elementary
• Joe Vinchattle, Lewis Central High School

2010

• Jane Burgett, Carter Lake Elementary
• Deb Goodman, Thomas Jefferson High School
• Jim Misner, Kim Middle School
• Laurie (Nielsen) West, Lewis Central High School
• Alison Toman, Kreft Primary School

2009

• Christy Boldt, Longfellow, Pusey & Washington Elementary Schools
• Clay Cunningham, Lewis Central High School
• Terry Hanzlik, Abraham Lincoln High School
• Barbara Schmid, Longfellow Elementary School
• Joann Tews, Walnut Grove Elementary School

2008

• John Drake, Lewis Central High School
• Linda Hahn, Kreft Elementary
• Albert Hudek, ED.D., Thomas Jefferson High School
• Mary Reid, Lewis & Clark Elementary
• Joan Vontersch-Crampton, Roosevelt Elementary