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. There was uplifting worship, inspiring learning, and great fellowship filled with joy!
The theme of the conference was Connected to the Vine. The conference began with a worship service led by Rev. Micah Greiner, Senior Pastor of St. Peter with District President Allan R. Buss providing an uplifting message. During the service, Lois Stewart, Mission Facilitator for Schools, serving Commissioned Workers, was recognized for her 40 years of service in education. A special pastors’ choir shared hymns during service.
Following the service, individuals were recognized for their service:
- Early Childhood Teacher of the Year – Amy Hufford, preschool teacher at St. John’s Lutheran School, Lombard
- Elementary Teacher of the Year – Amy Young, fifth grade teacher at St. Paul Lutheran School, Mount Prospect
- Middle School Teacher of the Year – John Franklin, middle school teacher at Walther Christian Academy, Melrose Park
- Timothy Award Teacher of the Year – Abigail Mielke, Zion Lutheran School, Marengo
- Mustard Seed Award (volunteer) of the Year – Nick Gottschalk, Immanuel Lutheran School, Crystal Lake
- School Administrator of the Year – Cathy Gruenwald, Early Childhood Education Center Director at Concordia University Chicago, River Forest
Attendees had the opportunity to select from several sectional options on a variety of topics including help for parents, LWML grants, outdoor play, and teaching science.
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’.
For more information on the award recipients, visit nidnews.org/educator-conference-awards/
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