Preschool teacher recognized with award

By Colleen Gallion     Mary Teichmeier has a special place in her heart for young children. So much so, that she has spent nearly 50 years teaching kindergarten and first grades. In fact, the Blessed Sacrament parishioner began her teaching career at what was known then as Blessed Sacrament grade school.

“They’re just so innocent,” she said. “I don’t know how to explain it. It’s just a fun age.”
So when she got a call from Blessed Sacrament preschool director, Barb Seier, who told her she had just won a raffle quilt and then happened to mention that there was an opening at the preschool, she didn’t hesitate, despite having just retired a few months earlier.
“I just felt like God gave me an open door,” she said. “I thought ‘oh my gosh, this is my opportunity.’” she said. “I’ve always wanted to go back to Blessed Sacrament and I wanted to teach preschool here and I thought if there was an opening I would take it.”
In December, Teichmeier was recognized for her teaching efforts with the 2019 Kim West Dinsdale Excellence in Teaching Award. The award was presented following the preschool Christmas program Dec. 8, 2019, at Blessed Sacrament by the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation.
It was the first year the award has gone to a preschool teacher.­
“Each teacher is a worthy candidate and typically there is a special story that goes along with each nomination,” said Melissa Delaet, chief executive officer of the foundation. Delaet went on to say that those who nominated Teichmeier said she “creates a love of learning for each individual student. She finds out what is most important to students and then incorporates those things into daily lessons.”      “Teichmeier is a wonderful teacher for the youngest learners and is giving the students an incredible start to their education,” she said. “It is an honor for us to celebrate her on the 15th anniversary of the award.”

While Teichmeier knew she had been nominated, winning the award was completely unexpected.
“I didn’t think anything more about it (after the nomination),” she said. “It was a big surprise.”
A 1974 graduate of Kearney State College, she also earned her master’s degree there in elementary education. Teichmeier began teaching at Blessed Sacrament Elementary before becoming a first grade teacher at Centura Elementary. She then taught at Newell Elementary before retiring in 2018.    Teichmeier said she was inspired to become a teacher from her own fourth grade teacher who instilled a love of learning in her.

“She loved kids and she respected you,” she said. “She just had a way of wanting you to learn. It made you want to come to school every day and that’s what I want to do with my kids.”
Seier said Teichmeier highly respects and understands preschoolers and their thinking process and “what makes them tick.”
“The kids can see that she respects them and that she wants the best for them,” Seier said. “Her heart is in teaching and her children and you can see that in how she acts with the children.”
In addition to teaching preschool, Teichmeier also teaches religious education on Wednesday nights.     “She believes each child is a gift from God, that’s all reflected in her behavior,” said Deb Wetzel, director of religious education. “And she has the patience of Job. She never raises her voice.”     Established 15 years ago, the Kim West Dinsdale Excellence in Teaching Award was created through an endowment gift to the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation.

Others who have received the award in the diocese include Grand Island Central Catholic teachers Cathy Howard (2017), Pat Kayl (2010), Kay Janzen (2006).
As part of the award, Teichmeier also received $5,000. She said she plans to donate most of it to charity.

She and her husband, Larry, live on a farm near Cairo and have two adult children, a son, Shane, and a daughter, Theresa.
Teichmeier said receiving the award has been humbling and she thanked the parents and teachers who nominated her and God.
“Thank God that He gave me the gift to teach. That’s where it all starts, what gift God gives you. You have to do your best with it,” she said. “I think God gives everybody gifts.”

Even though she already retired once, Seier said she is hoping Teichmeier stays around for awhile.
“As long as she wants to keep being a part of what’s happening at our preschool, that would be great.”