Cox and NFM Celebrate Local Education Heroes
Omaha (May 2022) – Cox and NFM have come together to celebrate the dedication of educators and school employees through the Education Heroes campaign. In March, Cox invited community members to nominate their favorite teacher, paraprofessional, administrative or custodial staff member, nurse, counselor or learning specialist — and share about what makes that individual a hero. After receiving over 235 nominations, a panel of leaders from Cox selected the 50 winners. Honorees will receive a prize package consisting of a $250 gift card to NFM, an Education Heroes water bottle, and Education Heroes t-shirts for staff members at their school.
As illustrated in these quotes, nominees were long on praise when it came to recognizing our heroes.
Ms. McArthur was praised for being “AMAZING and the heart of our school. Ms. McArthur is our media specialist and makes every student in the school feel like they are her favorite. She has dance parties for students at our front door every Friday as the arrive to and leave school. She teaches every student a snow dance ritual and has them do the dance in class when snow is in the forecast.,” wrote a fellow educator.
One parent shared about Mrs. Megens a special education teacher, “When our child was hesitant to wear prescribed eyepatches to school, Mrs. Mergens wore one herself until our child felt comfortable enough to join her. During field day when two of her students were reluctant to run through the obstacle course, she kindly grabbed both of their hands & ran the whole course with them, time & time again. We have seen our child grow & flourish this year because of Mrs. Mergens. She is a teacher we will never forget & is a true hero!”
“The Cox and NFM teams were so passionate about this idea, we really wanted to bring it back for another year,” said Kim Rowell, Vice President of the Nebraska/Iowa Market of Cox. “And we knew we made the right choice when we started to see all the nominations flooding in again. We can only hope that this brings some joy to the great teachers and staff that were nominated.”
A full list of 2022 winners can be found at www.coxeducationheroes.com.
Winners include: Marcia Kaup, Arlington Elementary; Lathasha Clark, Bellevue East High School; Jimeal Phillips, Birchcrest Elementary; Beth Scott, LeMay Elementary; Renee McArthur, Peter Sarpy Elementary; Jennifer Parker, Bennington Elementary; Rebecca Mergens , Heritage Elementary; Theresa Bland, Holy Cross Catholic School; Jonaton Benitez, Holy Name School; Joanna Meysenburg, Mary Our Queen; Maria Vazquez, Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School; Gjoa King, Carter Lake Elementary; Debi Pierson, Longfellow Elementary School; Judy McClellen, Thomas Jefferson High School; LuAnn Ruff, Thomas Jefferson High School; Angie Mundil, Arbor View Elementary; Jorey Prange, Arbor View Elementary; Dan Lohmeier, Elkhorn South High School; Deb Thomas, Hillrise Elementary; Christina Stednitz, Sagewood Elementary; Peg Pearson, West Bay Elementary; Amy Hill, Woodbrook Elementary; Ashley Mruz, Bell Field Elementary; Joseph Timmerman, Aspen Creek Middle School; Mandy Weihl, Whitetail Creek Elementary School; Wendy Pomrenke, Kreft Primary School; Janet Flynn, Titan Hill Elementary; Johanna Hon, Millard South High School; Tammy Thielen, Millard Young Adult Program; Greg Wunderlich, Upchurch Elementary School; Tammy Steele, Benson High School; Kristi Woodworth, Bryan Middle School; Frances Finn, Burke High School; Robin Knudtson, Burke High School; Dana Contreras , Gomez Heritage Elementary; Jill Martinez, Laura Dodge Elementary; Ophelia Collins , Lewis and Clark Middle; Nicolette Oliver, Lothrop Elementary School; John Huber, McMillan Middle School; Amanda McLaughlin, Morton; Rhett Wurst, Omaha Bryan Sr. High; Amanda Porter, Bell Elementary; Sarah Coniglio, Plattsmouth Elementary School; Melissa Yost, Mockingbird Elementary; Richelle Roth, Ralston High School; Laura Carlow, Ralston High School; Sarah Dohman, Oakdale Elementary; Claudia Kinnaman, Prairie Lane Elementary; Marlo Tomich, Swanson Elementary; Carol Steiner, Westside Middle School.
About Cox Communications
Cox Communications is committed to creating meaningful moments of human connection through broadband applications and services. The largest private telecom company in America, we proudly serve 6 million homes and businesses across 18 states. We’re dedicated to empowering others to build a better future and celebrate diverse products, people, suppliers, communities, and the characteristics that makes each one unique. Cox Communications is the largest division of Cox Enterprises, a family-owned business founded in 1898 by Governor James M. Cox.
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