Time is running out for Gretna students, staff and community members to nominate a Gretna Public Schools (GPS) staff member who has made an impact on them or their children. The deadline to make a nomination for the third annual Educational Excellence Awards is tomorrow, April 6.
The awards are put on by the Gretna Public Schools Foundation and presented by MCL Construction. In total, there are 16 categories staff members can be nominated, each to honor a different position within the district from administrators, elementary, middle school and high school teachers, to counselors, secretaries and drivers.
“We are looking for staff who have gone above and beyond in their roles over the past school year,” Executive Director of Gretna Public Schools Foundation Holly Radke said. “That may be taking on an additional role, going above and beyond their duties, donating time and talents to help in other areas, and so much more that our staff does daily without batting an eye or asking for recognition.”
To nominate a GPS staff member, fill out this Google Form.
“We have so many deserving staff nominated every year!” Radke said. “So, we are currently looking at what occurred during the 2024-25 school year.”
Winners of each category will receive a plaque and monetary award, courtesy of MCL Construction, and will be recognized at an awards ceremony on May 20 in the Gretna East commons.
“This [the ceremony] gives everyone the chance to celebrate with the winners as a group, which we are very excited about this year.”
The ceremony will start at 4 p.m. and go until 6 p.m. During the ceremony, parts of the essays written about the winners will be read, but the writers’ names will remain anonymous.
“I think it is really meaningful that they give teachers recognition; they work so hard but are hardly recognized for all that they do, so it is nice for students to be able to give their teachers that,” freshman Chelsea Quindt said.
Last year, Gretna East had four staff members who were honored: Tim O’Brien for Custodian of the Year, Principal Chad Jepsen for Administrator of the Year, English teacher Nicole Schlautman for Rookie of the Year and paraprofessional Shannon Wiley for Para Support Staff of the Year.
“I was shocked, in the best way,” Schlautman said. “It was such an honor to be recognized like that by my students and my colleagues, and you get to read the nomination submissions, which was the best part. I felt incredibly valued.”