The Grand Island Public Schools Foundation is pleased to offer the Legendary Educator Awards. This award was established to recognize the many outstanding educators who have made it their life's work to ensure success for thousands of Grand Island students. We are grateful for the inspiring work of our educators past and present.
The Legendary Educator Award was inaugurated in 2009 to recognize the outstanding educators who have made a difference to the thousands of students who have attended Grand Island Public Schools. To qualify for the Legendary Educator Award the nominee must meet the following criteria below.
Legendary Educator Criteria:
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Nominees must have been employed by Grand Island Public Schools
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Nominees must be retired, or not currently employed at the Grand Island Public Schools
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Nominees will be teachers, counselors, coaches, administrators, etc.
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Nominees may be living or deceased
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Nominations must explain why the nominee is "legendary" and how the nominee has benefited many students
Nomination Form
Kermit McCue
Legendary Educator 2024
Kermit Clare McCue was born in Alexandria, Nebraska, and moved to Burchard, Nebraska, at the age of three. His father died when he was five, and he was primarily raised by his mother. His mother later remarried to a wonderful man who became a great stepfather.
While growing up, Kermit was very interested in reading and writing. At the age of 14, he won a state essay contest. He graduated from high school at Burchard and enrolled at the University of Nebraska. He spent only one year there and was then drafted into the army. After the war ended in Korea, Kermit spent another 16 months there working for a colonel. Upon an honorable discharge, Kermit graduated from UNL with a double major in English and history.
He started teaching at Barr Junior High as an English and Journalism teacher. Kermit received a year-long fellowship in English from the University of Nebraska. This was followed by a fellowship from Rutgers University which enabled him to work with teachers from England in devising methods and strategies for teaching composition to secondary students. Kermit also received a fellowship from the University of Chicago in literature.
Kermit received teaching awards from the Nebraska Jaycees, from the Omaha Worlds Herald, and from the American Association of University Women. He was elected president of the Nebraska Council of Teachers of English. The National Council of Teachers of English chose him as a judge for their national writing awards for several years. Kermit’s first wife, Sharon Lierz, gave birth to a son who died in childbirth. Sharon died nine days later. Kermit was married to Lee Baron for 21 years. They had one daughter, Lori, and Kermit adopted Lee’s daughter, Lisa, from her previous marriage. Kermit so enjoyed raising Lori and Lisa and putting them through the university.
Upon retirement, Kermit married Carol Spahr. She died from cancer after 22 years of marriage.
Kermit was happy to be a teacher in the Grand Island School System for 38 years. Some of the finest students in the state of Nebraska sat in his classes. He was blessed to be one of their teachers.
List of Awards. Accomplishments, Achievements, Recognitions:
Nebraska Jaycee Outstanding Educator Award
Omaha World Herald Outstanding Teacher Award
American Association of University Women Outstanding Educator Award
Fellowship in English, The University of Nebraska
Fellowship in English, The University of Chicago
Fellowship in English, Rutgers University
Judge, National Council of Teachers of English Annual Writing Awards
Who’s Who of Teachers in America
