The family of Freda Drath Battey, a UNL graduate and former public school teacher, has established a "Distinguished Educator Award" in her memory. Candidates for this award are nominated by students in the College of Education and Human Sciences. The criteria for the award are "excellence in teaching coupled with recognition in other complementary education activities, such as counseling of students or initiation of student-oriented programs."
The Freda Battey Distinguished Educator Award is given each year to an exemplary Nebraska secondary school teacher and only students at UNL College of Education and Human Sciences may make nominations. To make a nomination, you simply need to identify a teacher you had whose role model encouraged you to be a teacher and tell us why this teacher is outstanding. Criteria for selection are excellence in teaching and excellence in support of students in extracurricular activities such as advising of students or initiation of student oriented programs.
Freda Battey Distinguished Educator Award Nomination Form
Previous Recipients
2021 - Candace Cain, Burwell Public Schools, and Todd Menghini, Scottsbluff Public Schools
2019 - Juliet Jensen, Tekamah-Herman High School
2018 - Brandi Benson, Lincoln Southwest High School
2017 - Willie Uhing, Chadron High School
2016 - Alicia Shoemaker, Waverly High School
2015 - Jane Dusel-Misfeldt, Scotus Central Catholic High School, Columbus
2014 - Roberta Lineweber, Beatrice Public Schools
2013 - Becky Jobman, Freeman Public Schools, Adams
2012 - Andrea Kobourek, Lincoln East High School
2011 - Sherry Marcel West, Lincoln Southeast High School
2010 - Carol Ann Duncan, Franklin Public Schools
2009 - Brady Rohlfs, Waverly High School
2008 - Toni Siedel, Lincoln Southwest High School
2007 - Chris Holder, York High School
2006 - Kim Hammer, Weeping Water Public Schools
2005 - Jane Connealy, Pius X High School, Lincoln
2004 - Ellen Williams, Lincoln Southeast High School
2003 - Dutch Fichthorn, Lincoln East High School
2002 - Cathy Christiansen, Pound Middle School, Lincoln
2001 - Marvin Lodes, Burke High School, Omaha
2000 - Shirley Gautreaux, Friend High School
1999 - Doug Straight, Shickley High School
1998 - Mary Dickenson and Randy Ernst, Lincoln High School
1997 - Celia McGill, Newcastle High School
1996 - Larry Paxson, Centennial High School, Utica
1995 - Ted A. Larson, Lincoln Southeast High School
1994 - Nancy Diekman, South Sarpy District 46
1993 - Rosalie Goldberg, Kearney Public Schools
1992 - Raymond Frew, Weeping Water Public Schools
1991 - Marian Anderson, Nemaha Valley Schools, Cook
1990 - Elaine Wieck, Grand Island Central Catholic Junior-Senior High School
1989 - Judy Williams, Central City High School
1988 - James Fraser, Hebron High School
1987 - Marcella Bstandig, Scotus Central Catholic High School, Columbus