Stephanie Howell—The recipient of the Christa McAuliffe Prize for Courage and Excellence in Education for 2019

Background

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s College of Education and Human Sciences has named Stephanie Howell, a psychology and government teacher at The Career Academy, the recipient of the Christa McAuliffe Prize for Courage and Excellence in Education for 2019. The prize has been awarded annually for more than 30 years to a Nebraska teacher who exemplifies the character of Christa McAuliffe, the social studies teacher who died in the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. Those qualities include excellence, commitment, creativity and the ability to inspire and courage.

Explanation

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s College of Education and Human Sciences has named Stephanie Howell, a psychology and government teacher at The Career Academy, the recipient of the Christa McAuliffe Prize for Courage and Excellence in Education for 2019.

The award’s founder, Dr. Gregg Wright, said this about the teachers who are honored:

“The teachers who are recognized are all excellent educators, but they go beyond excellence by showing courage. Courage can be displayed in many different ways, but the common denominator among all the prizewinners is the lasting and positive effect they have had on their students and on their peers.”

Josh Jones, coordinator at The Career Academy, had this to say about Howell:

“It is one thing to be a teacher focused solely on curriculum or relationship building or program development. What makes her a special teacher is she focuses on all of the above and her students are better people because of it.”

Proposal

That the Lincoln Board of Education adopt the following resolution:

WHEREAS, Stephanie Howell has shown tremendous passion for teaching and working with students, both at Lincoln Northeast High School and The Career Academy; and

WHEREAS, Stephanie Howell displays courage in education through innovation and creativity in the classroom; and

WHEREAS, Stephanie Howell has demonstrated this creativity and innovation by being an early adapter of technology in the classroom and organizing peer mentoring groups for students; and

WHEREAS, Stephanie Howell has proven she exemplifies the character of Christa McAuliffe through excellence, commitment, creativity, courage and the ability to inspire others; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Lincoln Board of Education

does hereby congratulate Stephanie Howell for earning the 2019 Christa McAuliffe Prize for Courage and Excellence in Education.

Updated November 14, 2019