Nominations sought for education awards

The diocesan Catholic Schools Office is accepting nominations for the annual Catholic school leadership awards. Winners will be honored at the Oct. 11 Bishop’s Dinner for Catholic Schools, which is returning to the diocese after a short hiatus.  

Nominations are being accepted for both the Good Shepherd Award and Excellence in Education Award. The awards are designed to recognize and honor educators and staff who go above and beyond in serving their communities. Deadline to nominate is March 31.

Good Shepherd Award
The Good Shepherd Award recipient can be any school staff member who has been employed in any of the 15 diocesan Catholic school systems for five consecutive years or more and remains employed at the time of the award.

Previous winners have included school administrators, principals, administrative assistants, custodians and others.

Excellence in Education Award
The Excellence in Education Award recipients must be teachers who have worked in any of the diocesan Catholic schools for five consecutive years or more at the time of the award.
Anyone can nominate a person for either award. For example, teachers can nominate fellow teachers, parent organizations can nominate school employees and parishioners and parents can submit nominations.

The nomination process includes completing an online form with five questions demonstrating how the nominee has gone above and beyond for the school. A second completed nomination for the employee should be completed. The building principal, president or parish pastor must also complete a nomination form for the individual.

For those who personally nominated a school teacher or staff member in 2025, the documents remain on file with the Catholic Schools Office and can be resubmitted for consideration in 2026.

To access the nomination form or re-nomination form, click here.

Questions regarding the awards nomination process can be forwarded to Stacia Thompson, enrollment and outreach coordinator, at [email protected] or (712) 233-7543.

Cover photo - Lumen file photo of the fall 2025 award winners with Bishop John Keehner.
 
HOME