Longtime Howells Teacher Wins 2019 NCIEF Award
The Richard Katt Outstanding Career Educator Award, given annually by the Nebraska Career Education and Innovation Foundation (NCEIF), was presented to Marla Pruss, family and consumer sciences teacher at Howells-Dodge Consolidated Schools in Howells.
Making the presentation was Nebraska Pork Producers Association President Tim Chancellor at the Nebraska Career Education Conference luncheon held in Kearney June 4. The NPPA sponsors the annual award.
The award is presented annually by the NCEIF to recognize teachers in six subject categories who have demonstrated a commitment to educating students for successful careers. Pruss, whose award category was Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources, was recognized for challenging her students to be engaged learners in the classroom through her lengthy career. She has taught in the Howells-Dodge community schools for 38 years. In her classroom, Marla strives to improve her teaching by incorporating technology, using BlendED, attending workshops and 20 conferences, and networking with other educational professionals. She challenges her students to be engaged learners in the classroom. She balances teaching academic and technical skills along with providing students with career readiness skills to help prepare them for education beyond high school and for their future career.
Mrs. Prusa has advised a successful FCCLA chapter at Howells Dodge. Her FCCLA chapter currently has 52 members who are actively involved in school and community service projects. She has advised FCCLA officers at the local, district, state and national level. Marla is also the Family Leader Team Lead Adviser for the Nebraska FCCLA State Peer Officer Team.
At the conference luncheon, Ramona Schoenrock, executive director of the NCEIF, thanked the NPPA for its continued involvement in the program.
“On behalf of the Nebraska Career Education and Innovation Foundation (NCIEF) and Nebraska Department of Education (NDE), I would like to thank you and the Nebraska Pork Producers for your continuous support of career and technical education,” she said.
The NCEIF was founded in 1984 by a group of vocational education teachers and administrators who had a vision to create a foundation to support and promote vocational education in Nebraska.
