Lincoln Teacher Receives Prestigious Educator Award

LINCOLN–(KFOR Oct. 15)–Quite a surprise Tuesday for a Lincoln middle school teacher.  St. Patrick’s English and science teacher Lyndsay Hartmann was named the 2019 Milken Educator Award winner in Nebraska and received a $25,000 check.

“Very unexpected,” Hartmann said during an all-school assembly inside St. Patrick’s gym.  “I come to school to teach students, not to get $25,000 checks,” she added.

The Milken Educator Award has been around since 1987 and goes to elementary or secondary school teachers, principals and specialists from around the country who are furthering the excellence in education.

“I think that the recognition of the hard work that goes into teaching and the respect for teachers that I feel through this award is just amazing,” Hartmann said.

Hartmann also told reporters she wasn’t completely sure what she would do with the money, but said some of it could go toward investing in education.

“My own two children go to this school (St. Patrick’s), so I have a vested interest in its success, ” she told reporters.  With a chuckle, Hartmann said, “I see a little bit of it as play money, too.  Maybe something nice for myself.”

St. Patrick’s Middle School teacher Lyndsay Hartmann (center) poses with a $25,000 check.  At the far left is St. Patrick’s principal Kristine Placek, Lt. Gov. Mike Foley (second left),  St. Patrick’s chief administrative officer Father Troy Schweiger (right) and State Education Commissioner Matthew Blomstedt (far right).  Photo by Jeff Motz, KFOR News