Literacy Awards

During the Scholarship Luncheon, Phoenix Academy presents two awards honoring individuals who make an impact in the metro in the area of literacy.

Mactier/Clark Literacy Educator Award

Literacy Award

To achieve an education, every child must first develop reading skills; reading proficiency is the foundation for all forms of educational literacy. The Mactier/Clark Literacy Educator Award recognizes work that advances proficiency in literacy and education. Efforts to advance the effectiveness of teacher training, curriculum, instruction, leadership, tutoring, and mentoring – whether on an institutional level or through direct service to others – are all building blocks of educational literacy.

 

Holland Literacy Advocate Award

Literacy Award Inscription

The Holland Literacy Advocate Award is given for advocacy work that creates and increases awareness, resources, and dedication to advancing literacy and education. Efforts to enhance the expertise of educational institutions, provide meaningful professional development, support essential research, and grow societal support for improving the academic achievement of children in our community are all important aspects of advocacy work.

2023 Literacy Award Recipients

Dr. Susan Toohey

Susan graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in 1986. She taught middle school social studies while also working on completing her Masters. Susan was promoted to K-12 Social Studies Supervisor for OPS, then to Assistant Principal. In 2009, she became Head of School at Marian. She completed her doctorate at Creighton University. In 2014, The Lozier Foundation offered an opportunity to begin a unique, free, private school. Susan returned to her urban education roots and led Nelson Mandela Elementary as Head of School. In 2021 she completed her Superintendent’s Endorsement and transitioned to the Lozier Foundation as Director of Educational Initiatives. Susan and her husband Mike of 35 years enjoy pickle ball, tennis, bike riding, travel, reading, cooking, and spending time with their three adult children.

Mike and Nancy McCarthy

Nancy, a North Omaha native and Mike, a farm boy from Southwest Iowa, met at a speech and debate tournament during high school. Nancy earned a nursing degree at UNMC and Mike graduated from St. John’s University with a degree in Medieval English. After college, they married and started a business and a family in rural Iowa. Nancy and Mike moved to Omaha in 1986, later becoming neighbors of Ann Mactier. Since starting McCarthy Group and joining the Omaha community they have been engaged both socially and economically in working to build a more vibrant community, serving on many boards, for-profit and not for profit. Phoenix Academy has served their family and many families, making reading a reality for many children.

2022 Literacy Award Recipients

Sandy Lozier

George Lozier

Sandy Lozier is the recipient of the Mactier Clark Educator Award. Sandy has always been a reader and could not wait to share that love with her children and grandchildren. Her oldest grandchild, Amelia, is now starting to learn to read. Sandy still feels the excitement of watching her begin to recognize letters and sounds as they turn into words on a page. 

Sandy has been involved with Phoenix Academy since 2003 and was the first Board Member under Patti Clark. She started volunteering as the school librarian which involved major organizing. She especially loved reading to the children and having them read to her. For the past three and a half years, Sandy has been battling brain cancer. While this has diminished her time spent at the school she is still an active board member and a valued member of our school.

George Lozier is the recipient of our Holland Literacy Advocate Award. George attended UNL with degrees in Mathematics and Economics. He has worked in a variety of occupations including USAF electronics technician, Life Insurance Actuary, Computer Programmer and Programmer Manager., PC Support Manager and Corporate IT Manager. 

In addition to his previous employment he has served on various boards and works countless hours as a volunteer IT consultant for Phoenix Academy and Nelson Mandela Elementary. 

2020 Literacy Award Recipients

Dr. Ken Bird

Dr. Ken Bird assumed the position of President/CEO of Avenue Scholars, Omaha, NE, on June 1, 2008. The Foundation helps to ensure careers for committed Omaha-area students of hope and need through education/training and supportive relationships.  Avenue Scholars is currently helping approximately 800 students along this path.
Dr. Bird retired as Superintendent of the Westside Community Schools in Omaha, Nebraska, after serving in that position for 16 years. He has received several professional awards including the 1998 Nebraska Superintendent of the Year; the Nebraska Council of School Administrators’ Distinguished Service Award; University of Nebraska-Lincoln Teachers College, David W. Hutcheson Award for Distinguished Alumni Award; Friend of Horace Mann League Award; as well as being selected as an Expert Lecturer for a series of presentations at Huazhong University in China.

Dr. Bird was honored by Creighton University and awarded Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa. He was also the recipient of the Educational Achievement Award from the University of Nebraska Alumni Association and has received the Children’s Hospital Margre Henningson Durham Leadership Award. In addition, Dr. Bird was presented with the Literacy Alive! Award by the literacy Center for the Midlands. This award honors an outstanding individual who advances the cause of literacy and promotes the value of education.
The GWR Sunshine Foundation presented Bird its Help is Hope Award for his efforts in pioneering education programs for children. Dr. Bird was also the recipient of the 2014 Can Do Hope Award, sponsored by Gallup, from the Kids Can Community Center. In
2019, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands presented Bird with their Spirit of Progress Award.

Dr. Bird has been active in numerous professional organizations throughout the community, state, and nation. He was selected to the Ak-Sar-Ben Court of Honor in 2012 for his achievements and commitments to education in Omaha. In 2016, Bird was honored by the Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation to become the 120th King of Ak-Sar-Ben.  He currently serves on the Boards of Children’s Physicians, Autism Action Partnership, Children’s Scholarship Fund of Omaha, youth Frontiers, Business Ethics Alliance, and Werner Enterprises.

Dr. Bird and his wife, Annie, have served as honorary benefit chairs for the Children’s Hospital Gala, Ronald McDonald House Charities, UNMC “Kicks for a Cure,” Charles Drew Health Center, Child Saving Institute Guild, Westside Community Schools VI-VI Gala, as well as Campaign Chairs for United Way of the Midlands. They recently served as Honorary Hosts for the Latino Center of the Midlands 2019 Destino Dinner.

Sara Woods

Sara Woods is the Executive Associate to the Senior Vice Chancellor for Community Engagement at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), where she oversees the operation of the Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center (CEC).  This standalone, comprehensive, campus-based facility was the first of its kind for any university in the nation. The CEC houses UNO’s service-learning and community service operations and serves as a community crossroads for collaboration, training, and public meetings. Ms. Woods has played a primary role in the development of the center from its design to its full operation, working with community stakeholders and UNO faculty, staff, and administrators.

Prior to this position, she was the associate dean in the College of Public Affairs and Community Service at UNO from 2008-2012, overseeing the college’s outreach, fundraising, grant, special projects, and faculty personnel activities. She was assistant dean in CPACS from 2001-2008.

A graduate of Omaha Westside High School, Ms. Woods earned both a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master’s degree in public administration from UNO. She has taught and co-taught courses on grant writing and philanthropy at the graduate, undergraduate, and non-credit levels.
In 2005, she received the University of Nebraska at Omaha Chancellor’s Medal for her service to the campus. She received Distinguished Alumni Award from CPACS in 2009.  She has been recognized for her work with nonprofits, particularly for those serving women: she was a YMCA Woman of Distinction in Omaha in 2009 and received the UNO Chancellor’s Commission on the Status of Women Award in 2013. In March of
2017, U.S. Representative Don Bacon recognized Ms. Woods on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in honor of Womens’ History Month. In 2019, she received a Build Up Omaha award from Civic Nebraska.

Sara and her husband, Kirby, have been married for 36 years. They have two children who both attended Phoenix Academy and went on to attend and complete degrees in higher education: Nat, who earned a bachelor and master’s degree at the University of Alaska Fairbanks; and Kyle, who attended the University of Nebraska Kearney and recently earned an associate’s degree from Metropolitan Community College.

2019 Literacy Award Recipients

James W. Freeman

James Freeman Photo

The Mactier/Clark Literacy Educator Award recognizes work that advances proficiency in literacy and education. Efforts to advance the effectiveness of teacher training, curriculum, instruction, leadership, tutoring, and mentoring – whether on an institutional level or through direct service to others – are all building blocks of educational literacy. 

Today, James W. Freeman is being honored with the award recognizing his contributions to the Omaha community. James has been in education for 53 years. After a successful 38-year career at Omaha Public Schools where he was known for transforming schools and making them a community center where everyone was welcomed and respected, he joined the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) in 2003 as Interim Director of Multicultural Affairs. The students affectionately gave him the name “Princi- PAL” because of the positive relationship he had with them. Freeman was recruited to Omaha University by Dr. Floyd Waterman, College of Education, in 1966 to become part of the first National Teacher Corp, a federal program training teachers to teach in the inner city. 

He was the first in his family to attend and complete college. Freeman graduated from Tuskegee Institute with a B.S. in Education, where he was active in the Civil Rights Movement through the TICEP program, helping with voter registration in the Black Belt Counties in Alabama. He participated in several marches with Dr. Martin Luther King including the Selma March. 

He received a Master of Science in Education from Omaha University and his Administrative endorsement from the University of Nebraska Omaha. He is extensively involved in the local community, speaking, in-service training with new principals, volunteering, working with youth, and severing on several local boards. Mr. Freeman’s passion is working with young people, helping them maximize their opportunities, instilling in them a love of learning and the value of service-giving back to the community, and never forgetting from whence they have come. 

Freeman lives in Omaha with his wife Barbara, a retired teacher, counselor, and children’s book author, and their dog, Rascal. They have two sons and two grandchildren. 

Senator Patty Pansing Brooks

Senator Patty Brooks Photo

The Holland Literacy Advocate Award is given for advocacy work that creates and increases awareness, resources, and dedication to advancing literacy and education. Efforts to enhance the expertise of educational institutions, provide meaningful professional development, support essential research and grow societal support for improving the academic achievement of children in our community are all important aspects of advocacy work.

The Holland Literacy Advocate Award is given for advocacy work that creates and increases awareness, resources, and dedication to advancing literacy and education. Efforts to enhance the expertise of educational institutions, provide meaningful professional development, support essential research, and grow societal support for improving the academic achievement of children in our community are all important aspects of advocacy work. Today, the Holland Literacy Advocate Award is being presented to Senator Patty Pansing Brooks represents Legislative District 28, in the heart of Lincoln, Nebraska. She is a wife and mother of three children, and a small business owner and partner in her law firm, Brooks, Pansing Brooks, which she co-founded with her husband, Loel. Together they have 3 children. She now serves the Legislature as the Vice-Chair of the Judiciary Committee, as a member of the Education Committee, the Committee on Committees, and the Justice Reinvestment Oversight Committee. She also served as the Chair of the Legislature’s Department of Corrections Special Investigative Committee. 

Her volunteer activity over the past ten years has included a number of fundraising campaigns. Patty was Co-Chair of the $9.6 million fundraising campaign to renovate Lincoln’s Centennial Mall. She also Co-Chaired the $6 million Union Plaza fundraising campaign and Co-Chaired the successful $250 million Lincoln Public Schools bond issue in 2007 with former Senator Kathy Campbell. Patty also has served on a number of community boards, including the Board of Trustees of the Lincoln Parks Foundation, Lincoln Community Foundation, Lincoln Public Schools Foundation, Family Service, and the Lincoln Public Schools Superintendent’s Advisory Committee. Patty is also a member of the Nebraska Children’s Commission and currently serves on the Bryan Medical Center Board of Trustees. 

 

2018 Literacy Award Recipients

Jessie Rasmussen

Jessie Rasmussen Photo

The Mactier/Clark Literacy Educator Award recognizes work that advances proficiency in literacy and education. Efforts to advance the effectiveness of teacher training, curriculum, instruction, leadership, tutoring, and mentoring – whether on an institutional level or through direct service to others – are all building blocks of educational literacy.

Today, Jessie Rasmussen is being honored with the award recognizing her contributions to the Omaha community. Jessie Rasmussen’s career has focused on improving outcomes for children and families, first as an early childhood practitioner and administrator and later as a Nebraska state senator and state human services director in both Nebraska and Iowa. At the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, she played an instrumental role in the development and passage of legislation that established a $60 million early childhood endowment funded through a public and private partnership. She is now president of the Buffett Early Childhood Fund, where she manages early childhood investments.

Mildred Brown

Mildred Brown Photo

The Holland Literacy Advocate Award is given for advocacy work that creates and increases awareness, resources, and dedication to advancing literacy and education. Efforts to enhance the expertise of educational institutions, provide meaningful professional development, support essential research and grow societal support for improving the academic achievement of children in our community are all important aspects of advocacy work. Today, the Holland Literacy Advocate Award is being presented to Mildred Brown for her dedication and support to improve educational opportunities for Omaha’s youth.

Mildred was born in 1915 in Alabama to a prominent black family. She graduated from Miles Memorial Teachers College at age 16, and in 1938, after moving to Omaha, she and her then-husband launched the Omaha Star. After the couple divorced, Mildred continued publishing the paper, building it into one of the most successful weekly Black newspapers in the country.

The Star was filled with positive, upbeat stories about the Omaha Black community. Through the paper, Brown gave countless young people their first opportunity to hold down a job. She instilled in them a sense of responsibility and hard work. She always encouraged them to further their education and provided scholarships for those interested in going to college. Throughout her life, Mildred Brown worked tirelessly for the cause of racial justice and community pride. She died in 1989.

2017 Literacy Award Recipients

Eugene Willis Skinner

Eugene Willis Skinner Photo

The late Eugene Willis Skinner was honored with Mactier/Clark Literacy Educator Award recognizing his contributions to the Omaha education system. Eugene Willis Skinner was Omaha Public Schools’ first African-American teacher and went on to serve as its first black principal and assistant superintendent. Throughout his 39 years working in the school system, Skinner pushed for social change internally. He made it his mission to get black teachers into predominately white schools, and he fought to get the 1976 desegregation order implemented. Skinner, an accomplished and trailblazing educator, died in 1993 at age 79.

In the fall of 1996, Skinner Magnet Center opened at 4304 North 33rd Street with a K-6 curriculum emphasizing Math, Technology, and Performing Arts.

Charles M. (Mike) Harper

Charles M. (Mike) Harper Photo

The Holland Literacy Advocate Award was presented in honor to Charles M. (Mike) Harper for his dedication and support to improve educational opportunities for Omaha’s youth.  Charles M. “Mike” Harper was the chief executive officer of ConAgra, Inc. for 17 years. During this time, ConAgra’s sales increased from $600 million to $21 billion. Following a heart attack in 1985, he and his wife Josie initiated the Healthy Choice line of low-fat foods that generated sales of $1 billion within 3 years. He retired from ConAgra in September of 1992 and was recruited for the top job at RJR Nabisco, Inc. in May 1993. After successfully transitioning RJR from a heavily leveraged LBO to a financially sound company, he retired in December 1995.

Mike accomplished much in his business career and shared his time, talent, and resources with many organizations and nonprofits during his life. He established a family foundation in 1992 and has supported numerous causes and organizations relating to education, cancer care, and research, nursing, hospice care, and patriotism. Many organizations have benefited from his generosity in the Omaha area, as well as in Minnesota, Indiana, and Chicago. He passed away on May 28, 2016, but his legacy of leadership, philanthropy, sense of humor, and kindness continues to touch all who knew him.

2015 Literacy Award Recipients

Dr. Maryanne Stevens, RSM

Sister-Maryanne-Photo

At the 2015 Annual Scholarship Luncheon, Dr. Maryanne Stevens, RSM, was honored with the Mactier/Clark Literacy Educator Award recognizing contributions to Omaha’s secondary school and university communities. Dr. Stevens took the helm as President of the College of Saint Mary (CSM) in 1996. Dedicated to creating an environment to call forth potential and foster leadership, CSM has developed several innovative programs under the leadership of Dr. Stevens, specifically, a residence hall allowing single mothers of college-age to live with their children on campus; Marie Curie scholarships for low-income women majoring in science or math; the Latina and African-American Summer Academies for ninth and tenth-grade high school girls and the development of a unique online doctoral program for educators. Dr. Stevens’ passion for the education and advancement of women cannot be more evidenced than by her leadership of numerous capital campaigns and scholarship initiatives that have allowed the College of Saint Mary to take its rightful place in the regional landscape of higher education.

Michael B. Yanney

On October 2, 2015, the Holland Literacy Advocate Award was presented to Michael B. Yanney for his efforts to improve educational opportunities for Omaha’s youth through deliberative policy discussions and implementation. Mike Yanney is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of The Burlington Capital Group LLC, formerly America First Companies. For more than 25 years, he has given his time, energy, and resources to disadvantaged youth. In 1989, Yanney co-founded what is known today as Partnership 4 Kids, which has grown to provide goal setting, mentoring, and college access programs for more than 5,000 students in 21 Omaha Public Schools. Yanney currently serves on the boards of directors of several prominent civic and community organizations including as Chairman of the Board of Building Healthy Futures, a non-profit organization created to improve health for our community’s underserved children and youth through thoughtful collaboration and advocacy; as a Director Emeritus of Heritage Services; and as a Director of Open World. In addition, Yanney is a past president of Junior Achievement of Omaha and also served as a Director of the Horatio Alger Association, one of the nation’s largest providers of privately funded, need-based scholarships, having awarded more than $100 million to more than 20,000 students.

2014 Literacy Award Recipients

Father Timothy R. Lannon, S.J.

Father Timothy R. Lannon, S.J.

At the 2014 Annual Scholarship Luncheon, Fr. Timothy R. Lannon, S.J. was honored with the Mactier/Clark Literacy Educator Award recognizing contributions to Omaha’s secondary school and university communities.  Serving as Creighton University’s 24th president since 2011, Fr. Lannon is the first Creighton alumnus to head the University.  He also served as president of Creighton Preparatory School from 1988 to 1995.  Fr. Lannon was ordained a priest in 1986 at St. John’s Church on the Creighton campus.  He began his professional career as an admissions counselor at Creighton and honed his educational and administrative skills as an instructor and assistant principal at Marquette University High School, an instructor at Boston College, and an assistant professor at Marquette University.  Fr. Lannon serves on the boards of Marquette University, Santa Clara University, Boston College, and the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) of which he chaired from 2009-2011.

Katie Weitz Ph.D.

Katie Weitz Ph.D.

The Holland Literacy Advocate Award was presented to Katie Weitz, Ph.D. for her efforts to improve educational opportunities for Omaha’s youth through deliberative policy discussions and implementation. Katie believes that education is the surest path to social justice and equality, and through her work for The Sherwood Foundation, she facilitated service-learning partnerships between OPS magnet schools and corresponding departments at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She also coordinated a cultural proficiency program to help teachers create lesson plans that reflect the experiences of Omaha’s large African-American and immigrant populations. Katie was also a key driver in the “greening” of OPS as a strategy to save general operating fund dollars and build a healthier district. She is active with numerous charitable organizations throughout the community, including Girls Inc., Building Bright Futures, and the Regional Education Lab for the Midwest.

2013 Literacy Award Recipients

Del Weber

Del Weber

Del Weber was selected to receive this award and is being recognized for his drive to advance proficiency in literacy and education. As Chancellor for twenty years, Del was successful in transforming the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s campus and curriculum, making it one of the leading institutions in the Midwest. Because of his determination to provide high-quality, well-rounded higher education, Del managed to more than double the number of full-time faculty with doctorate degrees, cultivate over $60 million in new buildings and renovations, and initiate the development of the university’s first residence halls, along with many other feats. Del further cultivated support for local organizations and non-profits in his professional life as the President of the Omaha Community Foundation until 2002, and, personally, he continues to be an agent of change as a volunteer and community leader.

John Gottschalk

John Gottschalk is this year’s recipient because of his effort to spread awareness about little-known shortcomings in the US educational system and his resolve to combat such trends. Among other notable achievements, John championed the improvement of local K-12 education by serving for a decade as the Chairman of the ‘Omaha 2000’ steering committee formed by the Omaha Chamber of Commerce. By propelling classroom performance to the top of metro agendas for businesses, families, and educators, John’s diligence was a catalyst for improvement. He continues to counsel community leaders engaged in the education field and serves on several national and local non-profit boards. John’s heartfelt interest in public education, as well as his commitment to action, has been an integral force in the betterment of education for children and families, both city and nationwide.

2012 Literacy Award Recipients

Ann Mactier

Anne Mactier

Ann Mactier received the Literacy Educator Award for her dedication and financial contributions to the Phoenix Academy and for her 30 years on the state and local school boards. The Ann Mactier/Patti Clark Literacy Educator Award will be given annually to an individual in the metro area whose work directly advances literacy skills necessary to navigate and be successful in the world.

Richard Holland

Richard D. Holland

Dick Holland received the Literacy Advocate Award for his dedication to educating children in Douglas and Sarpy Counties. The Richard Holland Literacy Advocate Award will be given annually to an individual in the metro area who advocates and increases awareness for the promotion of literacy.

Patti Clark

Patti Clark

Patti Clark was passionate about education.  When helping after school with a program called Great Books, Patti saw that children were falling seriously behind in reading.  Patti set out to find a way to help.  She discovered an Orton-Gillingham program called Spalding.  In 1990, at the age of 67, Patti followed her dream by opening the Phoenix Academy with one student and one teacher using the Spalding program.  Working out of a bay in the Rockbrook Village Shopping Center, the school grew and with her guiding hand reached thousands of students through the day school and summer school programs.  Patti passed away in 2008 while still serving as the Phoenix Academy Executive Director.