The Archdiocese of Omaha will honor nine Catholic educators Sept. 15 at the 34th annual Archbishop's Dinner for Education.
Each of the honorees will receive a $5,000 award. The event, to be held at the Embassy Suites in La Vista, offers an opportunity to honor the educators, thank those who support the schools, and raise funds for the awards and for scholarships for low-income students. Dollars raised for scholarships are matched by the Children's Scholarship Fund.
Tickets are available for $125. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Donna Erker at 402-827-3757 or dderker@archomaha.org.
The event will begin with a 6 p.m. social hour, followed by dinner and a brief program at 7 p.m.
The awards are presented to administrators, teachers and inner-city teachers. The honorees are:
Administrators of the year
Troy Berryman, principal, Sacred Heart, Norfolk, Neb. Berryman, who has held the principal's post for six years, is known for providing students a memorable start to the school year, dressing on different opening days in a tux, as a pirate and as a sheriff. Teachers, too, have joined what's become a traditional welcome.
Berryman's enthusiasm has carried over into service and academics. He organized a food drive that led to the entire school packaging more than 200,000 meals for overseas mission projects.
He helps instructors implement current teaching practices, recently holding an "out-service" at another school so teachers could observe its methods, and works with parish and community members to give students access to current technology.
Dave Garland, principal, St. Gerald School, Omaha. During Garland's 27 years as principal, St. Gerald has expanded from six to eight grades and built three major additions.
Garland has brought in new technologies to expand learning opportunities, and in 2005 he added an outdoor garden classroom. He also is known for his warmth and generosity. "His love for the kids is palpable, yet his expectations are clear," said the Rev. Owen Korte, pastor at St. Gerald Catholic Church.
The Rev. Thomas Merkel, president, Omaha Creighton Prep. Merkel has served as Prep's president since 2003. During that time, the Operation Others program has expanded to give hundreds of Omaha-area Catholic high school students the opportunity to provide 1,600 needy families with food and kindness.
Each year he supports other service programs estimated to return a half-million dollars in benefits to the local community. At Prep he spearheaded a $35 million capital campaign for facility upgrades, teacher innovation and student needs. Students' composite average ACT scores, meantime, have reached their highest level ever.
Secondary teachers of the year
Lori Christensen, Cedar Catholic Junior/Senior High School, Hartington, Neb. As a resource and theology teacher, Christensen helps students who struggle with regular classroom work and guides freshmen and juniors in her theology courses through today's difficult ethical issues.
Outside the classroom she serves as student council adviser and senior class sponsor for homecoming and graduation activities. She also is involved in other activities in support of the school and the faith, including participating in the 2011 March for Life in Washington, D.C.
Tim Mueting, Omaha Roncalli. A colleague described Mueting as "the rock upon which the religion department stands." Mueting, who has taught in the archdiocese for 25 years, has spent the past 20 years at Roncalli, teaching theology and several other subjects.
He worked to implement a dual enrollment program to allow students to earn college credit and has spent many hours tutoring struggling students, as well as filling a number of roles outside the classroom.
Elementary teachers of the year
Mary Hassenstab, St. Anthony School, Columbus, Neb. Hassenstab has been a part of the St. Anthony community all of her life. She grew up five blocks away, attended grade school there and began teaching second grade at the school in 1973. She has inspired many of her students to go on to become teachers and is described as a teacher whom students never forget.
Cindy Heimes, Mary Our Queen, Omaha. Heimes has taught kindergarten at Mary Our Queen for nine years. There, she's known for her impact on students, parents and co-workers. Outside her classroom she serves on a team that created strategies to help struggling students and volunteers in the community with organizations such as the Ronald McDonald House.
Before joining Mary Our Queen, she taught second grade at Holy Trinity Grade School in Hartington, Neb., where she launched the kindergarten program that she taught for five years.
Inner City and Special Education Teachers of the Year
Maureen Harrington, St. Philip Neri School, Omaha. Harrington has taught at St. Philip for 21 years, the past 14 in kindergarten and the prior seven in junior high religion, math and science.
Principal Rob Laird said Harrington not only professes Christ's teachings but lives them. She is a single mother of three adopted children and has served as foster mother to numerous other children. She also fills a number of roles outside the classroom at St. Philip, including student council mentor.
Mike Mansour, Jesuit Academy, Omaha. Mansour, who arrived at the school in 2004, has taught fifth grade and now teaches middle school science, social studies, math and religion.
The Rev. Tom Neitzke, the school's president, said Mansour's teaching and classroom management are "at the highest levels" that he's observed. Mansour created Jesuit Academy's website and has used his technology skills to enhance education.
He spearheaded the Green Monkey project to teach kids about recycling and pollution reduction, an effort that has grown to incorporate businesses, homes and school. Mansour also is an adjunct professor in Creighton University's English department and has served as supervising teacher for 26 student teachers and aides for Creighton's Magis program since 2008.
Contact the writer:
402-444-1223, julie.anderson@owh.com
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