"How do you thank someone that moves you to be the most you can be? How do you thank someone that showed you that you have potential to do whatever you dream of? How do we honor those that inspire our future leadership from Kindergarten to Graduation? With this program you can BOLDLY nominate any GIPS Staff Member. We will share each nomination with those who are nominated. This will be your way of thanking that Staff member," - Kari Hooker-Leep, Executive Director.
Nominees must be current teachers, principals, administrators, specialists, counselors, or support staff members (secretaries, custodians, para-educators, food service etc.) in the Grand Island Public Schools.
Nominations are accepted online starting March 16th, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have you ever had a question and didn't know where to find the answer? If so, you've come to the right place.
If you can't find the question you wanted to ask, don't hesitate to contact us.
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Are nominations submitted online?
Yes, they are! We use a simple Google Form to collect all Teacher of the Year nominations.
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How many awards are given each year?
Each year, the GIPS Foundation proudly presents six awards: Elementary Teacher of the Year, Middle School Teacher of the Year, High School Teacher of the Year, Specialist of the Year, Staff Member of the Year, and Administrator of the Year.
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Will my teacher or staff member receive my nomination?
Yes, absolutely! The GIPS Foundation will send an email to each teacher and staff member with all of their nominations attached.
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Can someone win multiple years?
No, an individual teacher or staff member can only receive the award once. However, the GIPS Foundation will still send them every nomination they receive in subsequent years!
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Who sponsors the Teacher of the Year program?
The Teacher of the Year program is proudly sponsored by First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO). We're incredibly grateful for their support, as FNBO has been a dedicated sponsor of this program for over 20 years!
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Tonia SchmallElementary Teacher of the Year
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Tyler MadisonMiddle School Teacher of the Year
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Jesse LaBrieHigh School Teacher of the Year
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Michelle ThorneSpecialist of the Year
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Michelle EnckStaff Member of the Year
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Nathaniel BalcomAdministrator of the Year
2024 Stats & Program
Past Winners
2024
Tonia Schmall, Starr Elementary
Tyler Madison, Walnut Middle School
Jesse LaBrie, Academies of Grand Island Senior High
Michelle Thorne, Specialist from Wasmer Elementary School
Michelle Enck, Staff from CPI
Nathaniel Balcom, Administrator from Newell Elementary School
2023
Amy Anderson, Howard Elementary
Marla Rischling, All Middle Schools
Jessica Whitmire, Academies of Grand Island Senior High
Kristin Schultz, Specialist from Lincoln Elementary
Angel Rojas-Acevedo, Staff from West Lawn Elementary
Caitlin Jensen, Administrator from Engelman Elementary
2022
Asia Thoene, Newell Elementary School
Andrew Schneider, Barr Middle School
Christine Kier, Academies of Grand Island Senior High
Jessica Schroeder, Specialist from Stolley Park Elementary
Virgie Wheeler, Staff from Lincoln Elementary School
Opal Bentley, Administrator from Knickrehm Elementary
2021
All teachers, staff and administrators
2020
Sandra Meyer, Stolley Park Elementary School
Kathryn Zeller, Westridge Middle School
Brett Forsman, Career Pathways Adams Street
Jami Barrientos, Specialist from Walnut Middle School
Jaime Wattier, Staff from Kneale Administration Building
Amy Richards, Administrator from Early Learning Center
2019
Jason Weseman, Howard Elementary School
Jessa Yager, Barr Middle School
Tracy Jakubowski, Academies of Grand Island Senior High
Tammy Nance, Specialist from Starr Elementary School
Jodi Fegley, Staff from Engleman Elementary School
Lee Wolfe, Administrator from Shoemaker Elementary School
2018
Bianca Ayala, Howard Elementary School
Lori Coble, Walnut Middle School
Jeff Vyhlidal, Senior High School
Angie Runquist, Specialist from Skills Academy at Success
Pat Tatro, Staff from Wasmer Elementary School
Selena Wardyn, Administrator from Walnut Middle School
2017
Becky Waind, Stolley Park Elementary School
Ellie Petersen, Westridge Middle School
Laura McQuinn, Senior High School
Patti Bennett, Specialist from Senior High School
Jasmine Rios-Alvarado, Staff from Howard Elementary School
Jeanna Randall, Administrator from Jefferson Elementary School
2016
Dennis Korgel, Gates Elementary School
Ashley Hilger, Westridge Middle School
Jeff Tomlin, Senior High School
Kim McCain, Specialist from Engleman Elementary School
Sheri Ingebretsen, Staff from Westridge Middle School
Andrew Rinaldi, Administrator from Newell Elementary School
2015
Kevin Liess, Skills Academy Dodge Elementary School
Zachary Hawkins, Westridge Middle School
Laurie Clark, Success Academy
Camie See, Specialist from Knickrehm/Wasmer Elementary School
Marta Charlton, Staff from Lincoln Elementary School
Wayne Stelk, Human Resources Director, Kneale Administration Building
2014
Deb Glover, Howard Elementary School
Chuck DeWitt, Walnut Middle School
Paula Poppe, Senior High School
Penny Brown, Specialist from Gates Elementary School
Doug Henry, Staff from Senior High School
Betty Desaire, Administrator from Wasmer Elementary School
2013
Christi Rademacher, Newell Elementary School
Kay Lyons, Walnut Middle School
Judy Lorenzen, Senior High School
Amy Hanna, Specialist from Howard/Jefferson Elementary School
Andrew Cunningham, Staff from Engleman Elementary School
Renee Hunt, Administrator from Skills Academy
2012
April Patterson, Jefferson Elementary School
Benjamin Hanson, Westridge Middle School
Joe Wells, Senior High School
Tara Retzlaff, Specialist from CNSSP
Ray Chaves, Staff from Walnut Middle School
Doug Jensen, Administrator from Senior High School
2011
Kelly Usrey, Engleman Elementary School
Katy Kurz, Barr Middle School
Karen Kropp, Senior High School
Kirk Ramsey, Specialist from Barr Middle School
Birdie Lopez, Staff from Dodge Elementary School
Cindy Wells, Administrator Senior High School
2010
Ryan Hansen, Dodge Elementary School
Karen Hastings, Westridge Middle School
Cheri Preister, Senior High School
Kris McMullen, Specialist from Senior High School
Paul Galles, Staff from Jefferson Elementary School
Maureen Oman, Administrator from Engelman Elementary School
2009
Joan Brown, Engleman Elementary School
Jerome Dubas, Walnut Middle School
Doug Whitman, Senior High School
Jan Tell, Specialist from Dodge Elementary School
Robert Briseno, Staff from Walnut Middle School
Brad Wolfe, Administrator from Newell Elementary School
2008
Janet Vavricek, Jefferson Elementary School
Rhonda Riha, Walnut Middle School
Michella Honas, Senior High School
Larry Uhing, Specialist from Senior High School
Nubia Herreno, Staff from Wasmer Elementary School
Sue Burch, Administrator from Kneale Administration
2007
Colette Sorensen, Shoemaker Elementary School
Kelley Ward, Barr Middle School
Sara Collinson, Senior High School
Sherry Jones, Specialist from Engelman/Starr Elementary School
Laurel Cohn, Staff from Barr Middle School
Kerri Nazarenus, Administrator from Kneale Administration
2006
Diane Miller, Dodge Elementary School
Jackie Bigley, Barr Middle School
Vic Nelson, Senior High School
Marcella Bogan, Specialist from TLC Indra House
Marlene Pietzyk, Staff from Howard Elementary School
2005
Patty Brown, Wasmer Elementary School
Traci Rezac, Walnut Middle School
Joe Stecher, Senior High School
Sherry Nott, Specialist from Senior High School
2004
Jim Kordik, Senior High School
Dr. Stanley Urwiller, Retired Teacher of the Year
2003
Larry Maupin, Senior High School
Orv Qualsett, Retired Teacher of the Year
