Diocesan Awards
Nominate a Staff Member or Volunteer
The Diocese of La Crosse offers annual Educator Awards to honor individuals who exemplify excellence, faith and service in Catholic education, and we encourage our McDonell Area Catholic Schools community to participate by nominating one of our exceptional teachers, staff members or volunteers. These awards provide a meaningful opportunity to recognize those whose dedication, leadership and witness make a lasting impact on our school community. If someone at MACS has inspired you, gone above and beyond or consistently reflected our mission, we invite you to take a moment to nominate them for diocesan recognition. Nominations must be submitted before the end of the day, February 6, 2026.
The categories and descriptions are provided below.
Click here to nominate someone from MACS
St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Award
This annual award recognizes a diocesan teacher, staff member, or administrator who has gone well beyond their job description expectations in regards to service towards their school(s), parish(es), and/or community. The nominee for the St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Award must exemplify the traits of St. Mother Teresa, who spent her life unselfishly serving others. The actions and words of the nominee, over a period of time, must support the humanitarian efforts of St. Mother Teresa. Specific examples of exemplary care and compassion for others, along with charitable and humanitarian works, are an essential component of consideration for this recognition.
Holy Family Award
This annual award recognizes an outstanding diocesan teacher, staff member, or administrator who has made an exceptional difference for families within the school or parish. This award can be based upon instruction, co-curricular activities, religious guidance, physical, spiritual, or emotional support to entire families.
Volunteer of the Year
This annual award recognizes an outstanding adult volunteer within our Catholic schools who demonstrates a strong commitment to the mission and values of the Catholic faith, who volunteers selflessly and consistently demonstrates the heart of a servant. The person completing this nomination should be able to cite multiple examples on how the nominee stands out from other volunteers and answer the question, “How is this nominee a role model of service within the Catholic school community?”
Support Staff of the Year
This annual award recognizes an outstanding member of the diocesan support staff who demonstrates a strong commitment to the mission and values of the Catholic Faith, who performs with integrity and consistently excels within their position. The person completing this nomination should be able to cite multiple examples on how the nominee stands out from their peers and answer the question, “How is this nominee a role model of the Catholic Faith within the school community?”
Early Childhood Educator of the Year
This annual award recognizes an outstanding diocesan 3P/3K and/or 4P/4K year-old teacher who excels at positively impacting the lives of our youngest learners. The person submitting this nomination must cite multiple examples of innovative and highly effective teaching strategies the educator has used in the classroom, list specific actions which illustrate this person has a positive influence on the school community, and list actions which illustrate this person is a positive Catholic role model for students and their families. This nomination is for those who teach three-year-old and four-year-old children.
Elementary Educator of the Year
This annual award recognizes an outstanding diocesan Kindergarten through 5th grade teacher. The person completing the nomination form should list innovative and highly effective teaching strategies the educator uses in the classroom. The nominee’s positive influence on all those around him/her should be clearly illustrated. How is the nominee a Catholic role model for students?
Middle School Educator of the Year
This annual award recognizes an outstanding diocesan 6th through 8th grade teacher. When considering to nominate a teacher for this award, a person should ask him/herself, “How is the nominee a Catholic role model for students?” The nominated teacher’s creative and effective teaching strategies need to be described in the nomination form.
High School Educator of the Year
This annual award recognizes an outstanding diocesan 9th through 12th grade teacher. One should nominate a teacher for this award if that teacher is effectively teaching high school students in a Catholic and positive manner. A person nominated for this award understands the way adolescents
learn and is not only able to meet their needs but surpass them.
Administrator of the Year
This annual award recognizes an outstanding Catholic School administrator working in the Diocese of La Crosse. In a Catholic and joyful manner, the nominee should positively impact students. The person completing the nomination form should cite multiple examples of how the school administrator has been innovative and effective. Also, specific actions should be listed which illustrate how the administrator is a Catholic role model for students and their families.