NORFOLK, Neb. – A Northeast Community College instructor was surprised recently with a statewide honor created in 1983 to recognize the efforts of Nebraskans to promote services and programs for children.
Lisa Guenther, Northeast Early Childhood instructor, received the Nebraska Association for the Education of Young Children Distinguished Service Award. It was given to her during a surprise presentation at the Northeast Community College Board of Governors’ meeting in February.
At the meeting, the Early Childhood Education program at Northeast underwent its Seven-Year Comprehensive Program Review. The board voted to continue the program for another seven years.
Guenther was nominated for the award by Charlene Widener, vice president of Educational Services. She was surprised with the award from Tracy Gordon, executive director of the Nebraska Association for the Education of Young Children.
“In addition to what students learn in the classroom, Guenther looks for opportunities to enhance learning outside the classroom,” Widener said.
Some of her accomplishments include:
- As a service project, she and her Early Childhood Education Association members created library kits and took them to libraries throughout the college’s 20-county service area. They can be checked out by childcare providers, parents and others. She applied for and was granted a Dollar General grant to purchase books and other supplies in the kits.
- Provides and organizes childcare for young children when families with school-age children attend a program titled, Prime Time Family Reading.
- Conducts a diaper drive each year for the local Sixpence program and distributes books from Read Aloud Norfolk to children free of charge at various places.
- Participates in the college’s Spooktacular around Halloween, with a booth that has games and prizes for children. Because of its success, the Norfolk Power of Preschool organization holds a similar event she helps to organize called Springtacular.
- Led the efforts to get a Little Library on the Northeast campus.
- Since joining the Northeast faculty, she has become involved in several groups that are working to solve early childhood industry problems, including low pay and a shortage of qualified people.
- Serves on many industry boards and has traveled extensively to promote a variety of workforce, curriculum, reading and other issues.
- Has presented at events from chamber of commerce meetings to town halls about the importance of quality childcare.
- Certified and teaches Safe with You training, and also is a trained CDA Professional Development specialist. She was instrumental in Northeast being accredited to offer the CDA Certificate for Infants and Toddlers, Preschool, and Family Child Care. She has shared this course plan with the other seven Nebraska community colleges as a model for them to offer the CDA to their early childhood education students.
- During the COVID-19 Pandemic, she piloted the hyflex delivery method for Northeast. She has continued offering her courses as hyflex so students can attend in person, virtually, completely online or any combination. This allows students already working in the industry to complete a credential and provide high quality childcare simultaneously.
Guenther is a graduate of Laurel-Concord High School, Wayne State College and earned her master’s degree in Elementary Education/Special Education from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. She has 55 additional credits in early childhood and other education offerings.
“Early childhood education is Guenther’s passion, and she is making a difference in Nebraska’s childcare shortage by the work she does with her students, advancing knowledge with the professionals already in the field and all of society,” Widener said.
Guenther is married. She and her husband have three adult children, including two who graduated from Northeast.
Guenther honored
Tracy Gordon (left), executive director of the Nebraska Association for the Education of Young Children, came from Lincoln to surprise Lisa Guenther, Northeast Community College Early Childhood instructor, with the annual Nebraska Association for the Education of Young Children Distinguished Service Award during the Northeast Board of Governors meeting in February. (Northeast Community College)
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