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The
Ezekiel Award
for
Excellence
in
Christian Witness
and
Teaching
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| Objective: |
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Encourage and retain excellent teachers of effective Christian witness to continue teaching and witnessing in Christian primary and secondary schools. |
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Criteria: |
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* Full-time teacher at ECA or ECA graduate teaching full-time at a primary or secondary Christian school, |
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* Demonstrated effective Christian witness of righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness (1 Tim 6:11) and encourage those qualities in others (students, staff & teachers), |
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* Excellence in teaching as confirmed by peer and student reviews and assisting students to successfully apply their understanding of the subject matter, |
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* Financial need (consideration, but not required) as indicated by student loans or need to work 2nd or 3rd job to support family or himself or herself, |
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* By accepting the stipend, the teacher agrees to teach in a Christian school for the next year. |
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| Ezekiel Peter Wetlesen, a 2006 graduate of ECA, had the life goals of pursuing a teaching degree in mathematics and then returning to ECA to teach. Due to a brain tumor, Ezekiel was not able to pursue those goals. Therefore, he decided to establish an endowment to encourage and retain excellent teachers of effective Christian witness to teach in Christian schools. Ezekiel's desire is that proceeds from the endowment provide stipends to award winners to augment their salary for the next year of teaching in a Christian school. This would encourage those teachers and enable them to continue teaching in Christian schools due to reduced financial concerns. | |
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Download the Ezekiel Award brochure here (5MB), or request a printed copy using the Contact page. |
| Applications: |
Students, teachers, parents, school administrators and ECA graduates can nominate candidates before the beginning of spring of the academic year. |
| Recipients: |
- 2008 - Anne Lichlyter
"The recipient of The Ezekiel Award for excellence in Christian
witness and teaching for 2008 is Miss Anne Lichlyter, a fifth grade
teacher at the Evangelical Christian Academy Elementary Campus. Miss
Lichlyter is a 1996 graduate of ECA and a 2000 Graduate of Covenant
College. She has been teaching at ECA since the 2000-2001 school
year."
- 2009 - Emily Wilson
"One of the 2009 recipients of The Ezekiel Award for excellence in
Christian witness and teaching is Mrs. Emily Wilson, a teacher at
the Evangelical Christian Academy Secondary Campus. Mrs. Wilson is a
graduate of Columbia International University in Columbia, South
Carolina. After graduation, she taught English for two years at a
Christian school in Tampa, Florida. For the past three years, she
has been teaching a variety of subjects at Evangelical Christian
Academy (ECA), including World Literature, Church History, Logic, and
Yearbook. She has also led groups of ECA students on educational
tours to Europe and Central America.
"
- 2009 - Dale Hart
"One of the 2009 recipients of The Ezekiel Award for excellence in
Christian witness and teaching is Mr. Dale Hart, a teacher at the
Evangelical Christian Academy Elementary Campus. Mr. Hart has been
teaching at Evangelical Christian Academy (ECA) for the past 20
years. He has taught 1 year of third grade, 1 year of sixth grade,
and 18 years of second grade. Prior to teaching at ECA Mr. Hart
taught 5 years at Woodland Christian School in Woodland Park. Mr.
Hart received a Master of Arts Degree from the University of Colorado
at Colorado Springs in Educational Technology and a Bachelor of Arts
Degree from Michigan State University in Elementary Education."
- 2010 - Justin Kohl
"The recipient of The Ezekiel Award for excellence in Christian
witness and teaching for 2010 is Mr. Justin Kohl. Mr. Kohl, a Colorado
Springs native, has worked the past six years primarily as a business
consultant with the U.S. Army. He coached boys' basketball for twelve
years at Air Academy High School is currently the Boys' C Team Coach at
ECA. In addition to serving as Dean of Students, Mr. Kohl teaches
Genesis-Joshua 7 and Judges-Poets 8, the Junior High Bible classes.
'After many years of asking and waiting on Him, I am very thankful for
the opportunity that God has granted me at ECA - to invest in the lives
of our students and their families.'"
- 2011 - Sarah Goldschmid
"One of the 2011 recipients of The Ezekiel Award for excellence in
Christian witness and teaching is Mrs. Sarah Goldschmid. Mrs. Goldschmid
began working at ECA in 2001 as a kindergarten aide, and has been teaching
6th grade since 2002. She considers it a privilege to teach at ECA. Mrs.
Goldschmid desires the classroom to be one of academic excellence as well
as a place for students to grow in their relationship with God."
- 2011 - Matt Holst
"One of the 2011 recipients of The Ezekiel Award for excellence in
Christian witness and teaching is Mr. Matt Holst. Mr. Holst teaches Bible
classes at ECA and serves as Director of Spiritual Life. 'My goal for all
of my students is that they will leave ECA with a true understanding of
what it means to be saved by grace apart from works and will in turn live
a life of gratitude for what God has done for them.'"
- 2012 - Tricia Harbach
"The recipient of The Ezekiel Award for excellence in Christian witness and teaching for 2012 is Mrs. Tricia Harbach, who is currently the fourth grade teacher at the Evangelical Christian Academy Elementary Campus. Mrs. Harbach has been a part of the ECA family since 1990 and her children have graduated from, or are currently attending ECA. She has been working at ECA since 2004."
- 2013 - Lori Wolfe
"Mrs. Wolfe received her B.A. in Communications from the University of
Delaware and first started teaching at ECA in 2001. Currently, she
teaches Language Arts 7, Language Arts 8, Classical Literature 7/8
and 10th grade World Literature. Mrs. Wolfe has been a women’s retreat
speaker, Bible study leader, missionary in the Philippines, and on
staff with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. She and her family
have hosted exchange students for many years. Mrs. Wolfe is
passionate about her relationship with her Savior, her students and
teaching. She desires for each student to have a saving relationship
with Jesus Christ and encourages everyone to be more Godly."
- 2013 - Karen Stephens
"Mrs. Stephens received her B.A.
in Elementary Education from Dordt College and Master's in Education
from Grand Canyon University. Mrs. Stephens came to ECA in 1987 and
has been teaching kindergarten since 1993. She is also a part-time
assistant principal and co-lead the elementary school 2010 ACSI
re-accreditation process. Mrs. Stephens remembers many of her own
elementary school teachers and the impact of their love and
commitment to the Lord. She consistently desires to teach with the
same love, commitment, and enthusiasm that her teachers gave to her.
It is also her prayer that each child who enters her classroom will
thoroughly enjoy learning and that they will love serving the Lord in
all that they do."
- 2014 - Darla Blue
"Mrs. Blue received her B.S. in Elementary Education, Minor in Music
from Chadron State College. She has been a part of ECA since 1988; both of
her daughters attended the elementary and secondary schools. Mrs. Blue became
the 3rd grade teacher in 2006. She enjoys being in the classroom setting,
where she feels like she can impact her students personally, spiritually,
and academically. Mrs. Blue sees it as a privilege to work with children,
helping them develop as a whole person, to reach their fullest potential,
and to be an integral part of His kingdom. In the nomination package for
The Ezekiel Award, she was commended for encouraging and challenging her
students, mentoring new teachers, heading up an important committee in
preparation for re-accreditation, directing the drama students in their
annual Christmas program every year, modeling prayer with her students,
and instituting special learning activities."
- 2015 - Marie Burley
"Mrs. Burley received her B.A. in Ballet and her M.A. in Production
Management from University of Utah. She has been a part of Evangelical
Christian Academy since 1996 at the elementary school and in 2002
started teaching at the secondary campus. Mrs. Burley has a heart for
the students and a passion for teaching. She sees the goal of Christian
education to glorify God by equipping students with necessary skills within
the framework of Christianity. It is her prayer that our ECA students
embark on a lifelong love of learning about God and His creation. In the
nomination package for The Ezekiel Award, Mrs. Burley was commended for
demonstrating “humble, steady care for students’ spiritual success while
in school and after graduation. She brings both the Bible and Christian
worldview into class in a natural and genuine manner. She applies her
wisdom and knowledge in a winsome fashion that attracts students to her
godly way of engaging with the world."
- 2016 - Karen Leidecker
"Mrs. Leidecker received her B.A. in K-8 Education with a Psychology
and Bible minor from Tennessee Temple University. She has been a part of
Evangelical Christian Academy (ECA) since 1995 at the high school teaching
numerous science and math junior high and high school classes. She also leads
the junior high Matchwits club. Mrs. Leidecker has a love for her subjects,
constantly showing wonder as to the beauty and intricacy of creation. Her
wonder for God’s handiwork is evident in her explanation of her subject
matter in class. She considers it a great joy to be able to minister
Christ’s love to junior high and high school students through the subjects
of science and math. In the nomination package for The Ezekiel Award, Mrs.
Leidecker was commended for "a true caring heart and love for her students."
- 2016 - Kerry Singleton
"Mrs. Singleton received her B.A.in Middle Grades Education, with an
emphasis in Mathematics and English instruction from Covenant College. She
has been a part of Evangelical Christian Academy (ECA) since 2011 at the
junior high and high school. She has taught of variety of subjects including
Junior High and High School math, 7 th grade Ancient History, Literature, and
Bible and 8th grade Medieval History, Literature, and Bible as well as high
school World Literature. Mrs. Singleton will spend extra time finding ways
to communicate the concept or explain an idea to a class or an individual
student so that they feel successful in what they do. She has also taken on
administrative duties serving as the Junior High Assistant Principal. She
loves sharing her passion for God and her subjects with her students, and
it is a joy for her to point students to their true identity in Christ and
to the one, true God, the source of all truth. In the nomination package for
The Ezekiel Award, Mrs. Singleton was commended for being "very
supportive, patient, kind and always inspiring students to reach their
highest potential."
- 2017 - Pam Gergen
"Mrs. Gergen received
her B.A. in Education from the University of Northern Iowa. She has been a part
of Evangelical Christian Academy (ECA) since 2007 at the elementary school
teaching first grade. Mrs. Gergen has had many years of teaching experience, and she
consistently desires to be a positive influence on today’s young children and help to build godly
character in each one of them. In the nomination package for The Ezekiel Award, Mrs.
Gergen was commended for exuding “love and care, even in the toughest of
situations” and for making “Christ as the Center of the Classroom.”"
- 2018 - Leigh Jones
The recipient of The Ezekiel Award for effective Christian witness and excellence
in teaching for the 2017-2018 school year is Mrs. Leigh Jones. She teaches
Junior High Mathematics, Literature, History, and Bible. Mrs. Jones received her
B.A. in Education, Elementary Education from Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Mrs. Jones has attended Christian school from Kindergarten through college and has
taught in Christian schools in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Fort Collins, CO. In
the nomination package for The Ezekiel Award, Mrs. Jones was commended by the
superintendent, principal, parents and students as “an exemplary instructor,”
having “mastered the 7 Laws, classical aspects, Biblical integration, and classroom
management,” and “an amazing teacher with a clear love for God, His word, and His
people, her students.” “She builds up the students in ways so effective I’ve never
seen before,” and “the best language arts teacher I have ever come across.” She
“would read out loud in different voices to make the book come alive,” and “We have
great discussions on what we believe.”
- 2019 - Natalie Jagers
The recipient of The Ezekiel Award for effective, Christian witness and excellence
in teaching for the 2018-2019 school year is Mrs. Natalie Jagers who teaches
Pre-Kindergarten at the ECA Elementary campus. Mrs. Jagers received her Bachelor's
in Music Education (BM) in Church Music from Ouachita Baptist University.
Mrs. Jagers served as a teacher aide at ECA for several years prior to becoming
the Pre-Kindergarten teacher. Prior to that, she taught music in several District
11 schools, was a preschool, music, and Bible teacher in Los Angeles, and has been
the Preschool Director for the last five years for Circle Drive Baptist where her
husband currently serves as the Executive/Youth Pastor. She is a Colorado Springs
native who was lovingly nurtured by her parents, church family, and community. She
thinks Pre-K kids are especially fun to work with because they are filled with awe
and wonder for life! She partners with parents and churches to fulfill the mission
statement of ECA by showing the love of Christ while educating, equipping, and
empowering these little ones to pursue their purpose in Christ.
In the nomination package for The Ezekiel Award, Mrs. Jagers was noted as having
“an incredible enthusiasm for the Lord and lets that shine through in all that she
does at ECA.” “When you walk into Natalie’s classroom you are immediately engaged
in what is going on. She draws the students’ attention and is gifted in keeping
them engaged and on task with the activity at hand.” “She organized numerous special
event days to showcase what she is doing with the Pre-K program, such as the Mommy
and Me Tea, Pre-K/Kindergarten Adventure Day, and our Volunteer Appreciation Chapel.”
“Natalie lives by her philosophy that, when teaching children, it is critical to
cultivate Godly character and teach the ‘whole’ child-spiritually, mentally,
physically, socially, and emotionally.”
- 2020 - Brent Holtcamp
The recipient of The Ezekiel Award for effective Christian witness and excellence
in teaching for the 2019-2020 school year is Mr. Brent Holtcamp, who teaches art at
the Evangelical Christian Academy (ECA) secondary campus. Mr. Holtcamp received his
Bachelor of Arts in K-12 Education from the University of Southern Colorado (now
called Colorado State University–Pueblo). He has been involved in the ministry of
ECA since 1978.
Mr. Holtcamp teaches Junior High Art, and Art I, II, III, & Studio Art at the high
school level. Earlier, he had taught music at ECA and currently, plays upright bass
in the Village Seven Presbyterian Church orchestra. He is excited to see the potential
for glorifying God through the students and ECA. He hopes “to open the students' eyes
with a positive curiosity to this great and exciting world by looking, seeing, and
doing the wonders God our Creator has set before us.”
In the nomination package for The Ezekiel Award, Mr. Holtcamp was noted as caring
“passionately about his students and about his subject.” Furthermore, “Brent is
also an advocate for students and staff who might be hurting or need a helping hand.”
Finally, “Brent is a gifted art teacher. He has years of experience which serves
him well when he helps students understand the medium they are working.” One of the
parents of Mr. Holtcamp’s students said “I have seen firsthand how well he loves his
students, cares for his fellow staff members, and encourages all he comes in contact
with. Mr. Holtcamp is a fabulous teacher.”
- 2021 - Lindsay Geving
Miss Lindsay Geving is the Third Grade Teacher at the ECA Elementary School.
She received her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, GA.
Miss Geving feels extremely blessed to have attended ECA as a student from Kindergarten
through 12th grade. It is due to the love and the impact of her incredible ECA
elementary school teachers that she was inspired to become a teacher. Miss Geving’s
prayer is to impact the lives of her students for Christ. In the nomination package,
Miss Geving was noted as “consistently modeling faith and perseverance in and out
of the classroom.” “It is obvious that Christ is at the center of every lesson
taught as He is interwoven throughout her teaching day.” “She has fully embraced
the classical approach, having effectively studied and practiced the methods,
and conveys well the joy of knowledge, joy of interest, joy of clarity, joy
of understanding, joy of discovery, joy of expression, and the joy of application.”
Lindsay has volunteered with Young Life at Cheyenne Mountain High School
and as an assistant coach for the ECA girls’ basketball team.
- 2021 - Katie Keith
Miss Katie Keith is the Secondary School Computer Instructor. She received her
Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Grand Canyon University, Arizona.
Prior to teaching at ECA, Miss Keith worked as a marketing manager and substitute
teacher. Miss Keith graduated from Evangelical Christian Academy, attending from
Pre-K through 12th grade. She teaches Junior High Computers, Photoshop, InDesign,
Yearbook, and Composition 9. The Westminster Shorter Catechism declares that the
chief end of man, which she learned as a student at ECA, is ‘to glorify God and
enjoy Him forever. Her ambition is to teach with this in mind, diving into the
fascinating world of technology with a Christian perspective and inspiring students
to create God-honoring content. Miss Keith’s nomination package had the following
comments: “an exemplary role model for her peers and students,” creating “amazing,
engaging curriculum for her students” and “her enthusiasm is infectious.” Katie
has been the Student Council sponsor and led the Yearbook staff in the creation
of the ECA yearbook.
- 2022 - Will Pinson
Mr. Will Pinson teaches Chemistry, Physical Science, Honors Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus,
and Honors Physics at the Evangelical Christian Academy secondary campus. Mr. Pinson
received his Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Geneva College. He has been
involved in the ministry of ECA as the cross country coach since the fall of 2016
and as a teacher since August 2018. He loves math and science, and considers it
is a joy to explore these fields with students, seeking to unfold a little bit of
the mystery and wonder as well as the orderliness of God’s creation. “The heavens
proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.” Psalm 19:1. In
the nomination package for The Ezekiel Award, Mr. Pinson was noted as “a shining
example of Christian witness to his students through the way he interacts with
students as a teacher and as our track coach. His speech is gentle, kind, and
encouraging both in the classroom and out.” Furthermore, “In the classroom, he
is faithful to instruct students each day not only in math and science, but also
in the beauty of mathematics and science as a part of God’s creation.” Finally,
“Mr. Pinson is a master teacher, clearly demonstrated by the fact that students
consistently chose to take his upper-level classes (Honors Physics, Honors
Pre-Calculus, and Calculus) because they trust him to make the learning clear,
accessible, and valuable.”
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| Opinion: |
MORE THAN A BASKET
Colorado Springs Gazette, CO - Feb 14, 2006
Deaths of local teens are a reminder to live well
Colorado Springs Gazette, CO - Aug 22, 2007
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