Celebrating Excellence: 2026 Nelson Family Foundation Award Winners!
Posted May 18, 2026
As we enter the final week of the 2025–2026 school year, we have some incredibly exciting news to celebrate! Please join us in congratulating two outstanding educators who have been named the recipients of the 2026 Excellence in Teaching Award from the Nelson Family Foundation:
-
Evanne Jones – 5th Grade Teacher, Titan Hill
-
Kelli Hall – Special Education Teacher, LCHS
Both of these phenomenal educators are deeply deserving of this recognition, and we are incredibly proud to have them representing our schools.
Established by the Nelson Family Foundation in 2008, this prestigious annual award honors outstanding teachers and counselors from the Council Bluffs and Lewis Central School Districts. Award recipients are chosen based on their exceptional knowledge, skills, and abilities both inside and outside the classroom, which greatly benefit our local youth as well as the broader community.
Past Lewis Central Recipients
2025
- Tyler Friedrichsen, Kreft Primary School
- Kristin Longmeyer, Titan Hill Intermediate School
2024
- Tara Cavanagh, Titan Hill Intermediate School
- Emily Schwery, Kreft Primary School
2023
- Kevin Palu, Lewis Central High School
- Julie Ruzicka, Kreft Primary School
2022
- Susan Drustrup, Titan Hill Intermediate School
- Nathan Van Zante, Lewis Central Middle School
2021
- Taylor Lund, Kreft Primary School
- Corrie Wohlers, Lewis Central Middle School
2019
- Stephanie Donner, Titan Hill Intermediate School
2018
- Brett Ford, Lewis Central High School
- Belinda Jacoby, Titan Hill Intermediate School
2017
- Joan Goeser, Titan Hill Intermediate School
2016
- Ann Nun, Kreft Primary
- Christine Sutherland, Kreft Primary
2015
- Anne Benson, Kreft Primary School
2014
- Gina Johnson, Titan Hill Intermediate School
- Trudy Kimble, Lewis Central Middle School
- Heidi White, Kreft Primary School
2013
- Amy Higginbotham, Kreft Primary
- Jennifer Stroup, Titan Hill Intermediate School
2012
- Heather Nano, Kreft Primary School
- Elizabeth Smith, Kreft Primary School
2011
- Lee Dwyer, Kreft Primary School
- Joe Vinchattle, Lewis Central High School
2010
- Laurie (Nielsen) West, Lewis Central High School
- Alison Toman, Kreft Primary School
2008
- John Drake, Lewis Central High School
- Linda Hahn, Kreft Elementary
