Lincoln Public Schools and local radio stations KFOR-AM and KFRX-FM are seeking nominations for the annual Thank You Teacher contest, held in honor of Nebraska Teacher Recognition Day on March 2.
Anyone who lives in Lancaster County can nominate a teacher in any of five categories: preschool-grade 2, grades 3-5, middle school, high school and retired.
In addition to a written description explaining why a teacher made a difference in the nominator’s life, entries should include the teacher’s name, grade level and school (or contact information), as well as the nominator’s name, school and grade level (if applicable), address and phone number.
Nominations must be received by 5 p.m. Jan. 29.
Winning teachers will be honored March 2.
Traditionally, there’s a breakfast at the governor’s mansion to honor the winning teachers and the students and parents who nominated them. That won't happen this year as a precaution in light of the pandemic.Â
Organizers are working on an alternative celebration. Winners will receive gift bags and prizes awarded by the radio stations and their sponsors, including the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools.
You can nominate a teacher  or submit a written description of how a teacher made a difference in your life to:
Thank You Teacher, Lincoln Public Schools Communications, 5905 O St., Lincoln, NE, 68510.
Top Journal Star photos for December
Top Journal Star photos for December
RelyCare LTC pharmacy certified technician Sara Ferguson administer a COVID-19 vaccine at Havelock Manor, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
Vonda Kapke (left) and her neighbor Paul Koester dig out the sidewalk in front of their homes on Rose Street, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
Ethan (bottom) and Colin Easley take to the slopes as they joined dozens of others to enjoy the substantial snowfall on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, at Holmes Lake Park. The Lincoln Airport reported 6.5 inches of snow as of noon. North of the city, Raymond reported 7 inches. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
Fan attendance for this basketball game between Lincoln East and Norfolk was greatly reduced due to the coronavirus pandemic, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
Nebraska guard Teddy Allen (0) drives to the basket against Michigan State’s Joey Hauser (20) in the second half on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
Jake Heidelk recycles his Christmas tree the day after Christmas at the Holmes Lake recycling site on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
Neil Stubblefield (L) sleds down the ramp at Pioneers Park as Erin Burianek watches on Friday, Dec. 25, 2020. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
Joshua Schulte does most of his writing on his couch in his living room or wherever he is most comfortable on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020. Joshua Schulte, 13, started writing the Schulte Daily when the pandemic started, he has since pivoted to the Schulte Weekly (issue 72 was last week). When asked why he started Joshua stated, "It might've been because I was bored, I've always liked writing newspaper articles." Joshua distributes his newspaper to 7 local families in his neighborhood. Even making a mile long bike ride to deliver a copy top his grandparents. He also has written an 80-page Christmas book that takes place in London in the 1800s. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
A man crosses a snowy intersection at Q and North 13th Streets, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
The Schawang family listens from their front porch to Santa Claus read, 'Twas The Night Before Christmas on Monday, Dec. 21, 2020. Shawntay and Glen Schawang's children, Maxine (from left), Valentine, Jules, and Calvin have been leaving gifts and surprises for nearby retired couples. The retirees in the neighborhood had no idea who was leaving the gifts behind. "The kids were getting such a kick out of being the mystery gift givers," retiree Rodney Turner said. After deducing who the mystery gift givers were, the older neighbors began to leave gifts of their own. Going back and forth leaving little surprises for months. To wrap up the year, the retirees decided to schedule a visit from the master gift giver himself. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
Robert Fugarino takes a photo of the conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter on his smartphone at Holmes Lake Park, Monday, Dec. 21, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
Staying socially distanced from Santa Claus, Hailey Neff (left) delivers her list of Christmas gift wishes to the fellow from the North Pole on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, during a visit to Pioneers Park. Saint Nick toured the area, making stops at Holmes Park, Walt Branch Library and Williams Branch Library in addition to Pioneers Park. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
As Joseph and Mary in the Nativity, Mekhi Mitchell (left) and Nadia Ra-Shaun are the focal point of First-Plymouth Church's "Love Looks Like This," a Christmas drive-by wonderland--with a forest of trees, extravagant lighting, bigger than life-sized animal puppets and more. A gift to the community in celebration of the season, and in support of CEDARS Home for Children on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
Newly minted Nebraska State Trooper Grant Moody, of Aurora, embraces his brother Grady Moody, 10, as his father, Gary Moody, looks on, after the graduation ceremony of Nebraska State Patrol, Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, at Nebraska State Capitol. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
A flock of Canada geese flies over the skyline of downtown Lincoln in this photo taken from Oak Lake Park, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
Scents in the snow attract a dog's attention in Antelope Park on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
Merchandisers Sam Steinberger (left) and Mark Carlson move a pallet of wines at Beer, Wine and Spirits, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
CHI Health St. Elizabeth RN Crystal Shield (L) administers a COVID-19 vaccination to hospitalist Cory Shield on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
Frost feathers on a window in Lincoln on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
Volunteers from Stand In for Nebraska help load bags of clothing to be transported and donated to the Pine Ridge Reservation on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. The annual winter clothing drive for the Pine Ridge Reservation had its most successful year yet. A record number of donations poured in from all over Nebraska. With so many donations, clothing drive organizer Bill Hawkins posted on Facebook to ask for a bigger truck. Stand in for Nebraska, a local nonprofit group, answered the call and paid for the gas as well. By the end of the morning the 26-foot moving truck was packed tight with donations heading northwest. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
Fan cutouts in the east stadium stands received a patina of overnight snow on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
Top Journal Star photos for December
Matt Glassburner moves a pallet with some of the nearly 700 Zager Guitars donated to Lincoln Public Schools at the LPS Distribution Center on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
Light snow is seen at Nebraska State Capitol, Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
Mike Blessing (L) enjoys a bike ride along the Rock Island Trail on a warm Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
A swan paddles around a pond around the sunset hours at Wyuka Cemetery, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
People walk in front of the Sparkle Globe during Zoo Lights at Lincoln Children's Zoo, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
A trio of Canada geese take flight as a kayaker paddles close to where they and others were resting close to shore at Holmes Lake Park on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. Temperatures were forecasted to reach a high of 63 degrees in the area as locals came out for a day of unseasonably warm weather. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
Top Journal Star photos for December
Lincoln Christian baseball players Matt Eaton (left) and Kaden Kubik wrap lights around a column at the Christian Heritage Campus on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020. Approximately 40 volunteers showed up early Saturday morning to set up Christmas lights on Christian Heritage's campus. The local nonprofit plans to host an event called Light the Night, their first ever drive-through Christmas light spectacular. On Dec. 12, the public is encouraged to come to the property in the evening to see the lights. This event is free of charge, but donations are greatly appreciated. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
A rescue crew lowers an injured worker from the top of a tank on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, at 84th and South Streets. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
Top Journal Star photos for December
Cora Clay looks a tag from atop Eric Clay's shoulders at the Prior Pines Christmas tree farm on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. Kent Prior, owner of Prior Pines, estimates that they have sold over 900 trees so far this season. "It is definitely busier this season," Prior said. "On our first day we had people parking on the main road." KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
Crete's Braden Schmeckpeper blocks a shot by Hasting's Brayden Schram in the first quarter at Crete High School on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
William Kieffe, with Food Bank of Lincoln, unloads some of the pallets with 35,640 pounds of butter and cheese donated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
Malcolm girls basketball head coach Andy Klepper sprays disinfectant at the weight room, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for December
Santa gives a socially distant air-five to 5 year old Nahlia Killsenemy on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020. Due to Covid-19, children had to maintain 6 feet and were unable to sit in Santa's lap. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter.