October 2023
About 450 educators, pastors, and friends gathered at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights, Illinois on October 6, 2023 for the LCMS Northern Illinois District’s Educator Conference. During the conference, six award recipients were acknowledged for their educational service, celebrated for their impactful contributions, and honored by their peers.
Early Childhood Teacher of the Year
Amy Hufford – Preschool three teacher at St. John’s Lutheran School, Lombard
- Lends a helping hand when needed
- Strong Christian woman who shares God’s message beautifully
- Community involvement; Care and Share, DuPage PADS
- Talks kindly and lovingly to students
- Goes the extra mile to make children and their parents feel comfortable in her classroom
- Amy loves her Lord
Amy’s favorite Bible Passage is Psalm 121:1-2
Elementary Teacher of the Year
Eric Young – Fifth grade teacher at St. Paul Lutheran, Mt. Prospect
- Eric creates an environment of compassion and empathy while challenging his students to be their best.
- He is very organized.
- Eric is approachable, not only to students, but to colleagues, parents, and visitors.
- Students feel comfortable approaching Eric with problems.
- He is enthusiastic about sharing his love for his Lord to all around.
- He sets a positive example in all he does.
Eric’s favorite Bible verse is Romans 10:9
Middle School Teacher of the Year
John Franklin – Middle school teacher at Walther Christian Academy, Melrose Park
- John leads and serves all the time
- He has a servant heart and always first to volunteer
- Understands Lutheran schools and that they need servant leaders to thrive
- Mentors younger teachers, works collaboratively
- Serves on the Walther Instructional Leadership team
- Well-practiced veteran teacher
- Openly shares his faith
John’s favorite Bible Passage is Ephesians 4:2-3
Timothy Award Teacher of the Year
Abigail Mielke – Zion Lutheran School, Marengo
- 7th grade homeroom and Language Arts teacher
- Taken on a leadership role in reinstituting operetta since COVID
- Described as ‘wise beyond her years’
- Well respected by colleagues and staff
- Teaching is exceptional in part due to thorough preparation
- She knows her students well and works hard at building relationship with them and their families
- Everything she does is Jesus-centric
Abby’s favorite Bible Passage is Esther 4:14
Mustard Seed Award (volunteer) of the Year
Nick Gottschalk – Immanuel Lutheran School, Crystal Lake
- Extraordinarily professional as he volunteers
- Strong Lay Leader in the congregation and has held many formal positions
- He has a true servant heart as a leader, husband, father, and friend
- Gives generously of his time, talents, and treasures
- Motivates and inspires others to do the same; leads by example
- Serves behind the scenes often painting, repairing furniture, he simply ‘gives’ freely of the gifts his Lord and Savior has given him
- A product of Lutheran schools and believes in assuring that the next generation understands the need and the joy in serving their Savior
Nick’s favorite Bible Passage is Ephesians 2:8
School Administrator of the Year
Cathy Gruenwald – Concordia University Chicago at River Forest Early Childhood Education Center Director
- Committed to Lutheran education and developmentally appropriate practices
- Always sees the potential in others and offers free time to help her staff move forward educationally
- Conscientious, versatile, proactive, and hard working
- Her goal is staff cohesion and make sure the center is an exemplary place for growth and development of the children and lab students that work there
- Lifelong learner
- Respected and appreciated by her staff
- Lives her faith
Cathy’s favorite Bible Passage is Psalm 46:10
During this month of church worker appreciation, we give thanks God for the faithful educators who serve in congregations and schools across our District. To God be the glory for Lutheran education and educators! We give thanks for a wonderful day of worship, learning, and fellowship.
We remain ‘Connected to the Vine’.
Promoting and encouraging health and vitality in congregations, schools, ministries, professional workers and lay-leaders.