Elementary Teacher Jaime Konz Wins Lakin Award

May 19, 2016

Elementary Principal, Mrs. Jill Kay, introduces our speaker from KMA, Dean Adkins

Dean Adkins from KMA was the presentation emcee

Jaime's husband, kids, parents and sister-in-law were all present for the ceremony.

Jaime gives her thanks and tells everyone that "she was tricked into coming to the assembly today"

Special instruction of the $5000 check: she cannot spend it on anything school-related

Mrs. Konz with some of her students

Mrs. Konz with her husband, kids and parents

Following a standing ovation by the crowd of 400 people, Tom Pribil, representing the Lakin Foundation, presented Mrs. Konz with the award.

Treynor CSD Superintendent, Mr. Elwood with Jaime and Mr. Pribil, along with Elementary Principal, Jill Kay

KMA Owner, Ed May Jr., KMA's Dean Adkins, Jaime Konz, Tom Pribil and KMA's Chuck Morris

KMA's John Paul & Dean Adkins, Jaime Konz, Lakin Representative Tom Pribil, KMA's Chuck Morris and AEA's Chief Administrator, Lane Plugge

 Launch the media gallery 1 player

Elementary Teacher, Jaime Konz, won a runner-up Charles Lakin Award this morning at Treynor Elementary School. She was surprised and presented with a $5000 check from Lakin Foundation representative, Tom Pribil.

For the 9th straight year, Charles Lakin, a well-known philanthropist along with KMA and Green Hills Area Education Agency, sponsor the Charles E. Lakin Outstanding Teacher Award. Instructors in school districts within a 40-mile radius of Emerson – Lakin’s hometown – are eligible for the award, except for those in larger districts, such as Council Bluffs and Lewis Central. Green Hills AEA Administrator Dr. Lane Plugge tells KMA News the Lakin Award is a great way to honor the area’s outstanding teachers.

“Charles Lakin has been generous over these last nine years,” said Plugge, “almost a full decade of making cash awards to very deserving teachers." Anyone can nominate (teachers)—a parent, a student, a fellow teacher, administrators, a patron of any of the communities. He is trying to honor people in rural schools that really encourage kids to be engaged, and be in attendance at schools.”

Over the past eight years, the Lakins have awarded $260,000 to area teachers and their districts. Each year, $12,500 is awarded to the top elementary and secondary instructors. Of that total, $10,000 goes to the teacher, while their districts receive the remaining dollars. Two runners-up in each category receive $5,000 each.  Plugge says the award is important for two reasons.  “The recognition is important, but also the finances,” he said, “because teachers go into their profession not to win awards, and certainly not for the financial end of it.  So, it’s an extra special added bonus to win this award.”  Lakin established the award in 2008 to honor teachers who “motivate kids to come to school each day”.

Dean Adkins, KMA radio host, was the emcee of the event. Following a standing ovation by a crowd of over 400, Tom Pribil, representing the Lakin Foundation, presents a surprised Mrs. Konz with the award. Watch it below: