The 2022 Diocese of La Crosse Awards for Educators
Nominations may be submitted until 11:59 p.m., February 11, 2022. Links to each award’s nomination form are at the end of the description.
St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Award
This annual award recognizes a diocesan teacher, staff member, or administrator who has gone well beyond their job description expectations in regards to service towards their school(s), parish(es), and/or community.
Mother Teresa is known in the Catholic Church as Saint Teresa of Calcutta. She devoted her life to caring for the sick and poor. She is a symbol of love, care, and passion. The world salutes her for her love and compassion for humanity. St. Teresa of Calcutta taught us how to extend our hand towards those who need our love and support irrespective of creed, caste and religion. She is equally honored for her charitable works.
The nominee for the St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Award must exemplify the traits of St. Mother Teresa, who spent her life unselfishly serving others. The actions and words of the nominee, over a period of time, must support the humanitarian efforts of St. Mother Teresa. Specific examples of exemplary care and compassion for others, along with charitable and humanitarian works, are an essential component of consideration for this recognition.
Holy Family Award
This annual award recognizes an outstanding diocesan teacher, staff member, or administrator who has made an exceptional difference for families within the school or parish. This award can be based upon instruction, co-curricular activities, religious guidance, physical, spiritual, or emotional support to entire families.
Diocesan Support Staff Award
This annual award recognizes an outstanding member of the diocesan support staff who demonstrates a strong commitment to the mission and values of the Catholic faith, who performs with integrity and consistently excels within their position. The person completing the nomination form should cite multiple examples on how the nominee stands out from their peers and demonstrate the nominee is a role model of the Catholic faith within the school community.
Early Childhood Educator of the Year
This annual award recognizes an outstanding diocesan 3P/3K and/or 4P/4K year old teacher who excels at positively impacting the lives of our youngest learners. The person completing the nomination form should cite multiple examples of innovative and highly effective teaching strategies the teacher uses in the classroom. Also, specific actions should be listed which illustrate how the teacher has a positive influence on the school community while being a Catholic role model for students and their families.
Elementary Educator of the Year
This annual award recognizes an outstanding diocesan Kindergarten through 5th grade teacher. The person completing the nomination form should list innovative and highly effective teaching strategies the teacher uses in the classroom. The nominee’s positive influence on all those around him/her should be clearly illustrated. How is the nominee a Catholic role model for students?
Middle School Educator of the Year
This annual award recognizes an outstanding diocesan 6th through 8th grade teacher. When considering to nominate a teacher for this award, a person should ask him/herself, “How is the nominee a Catholic role model for students?” The nominated teacher’s creative and effective teaching strategies need to be described in the nomination form.
High School Educator of the Year
This annual award recognizes an outstanding diocesan 9th through 12th grade teacher. One should nominate a teacher for this award if that teacher is effectively teaching high school students in a Catholic and positive manner. A person nominated for this award understands the way adolescents learn and is not only able to meet their needs but surpass them.
Diocesan Administrator of the Year
This annual award recognizes an outstanding Catholic School administrator working in the Diocese of La Crosse. In a Catholic and joyful manner, the nominee should positively impact students. The person completing the nomination form should cite multiple examples of how the school administrator has been innovative and effective. Also, specific actions should be listed which illustrate how the administrator is a Catholic role model for students and their families.