Teacher earns 'Eagle Fledge' at East Dundee's Immanuel School
East Dundee, IL — Some news takes a while to sink in, according to teacher Susan Meier of Immanuel Lutheran School in East Dundee. Meier received an important voice-mail message from her principal in late September that she had to replay several times before she believed it.
Principal Sue Domeier called to let Meier know she had been named the Early Childhood Teacher of the Year in northern Illinois.
“I heard it but had to repeat it a few times before I really believed it!,” said Meier. “I think I was in shock at first. Now I feel so honored to be chosen.”
The title is bestowed to Meier by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod's Northern Illinois District, which comprises 124 schools and employs more than 1,000 teachers and administrators. Meier will receive her award at the October NID Teacher conference in DeKalb.
Meier teaches second grade at Immanuel, a spot she has occupied for 9 years, joining the Immanuel staff after teaching for two years in Rock Island, Illinois. “Susan is that rare teacher who effortlessly combines fun and excitement with structure and discipline. Her classes are always energetic and engaged with the subject matter while at the same time learning to be in control of themselves.” Parents and students love second grade. Jim and Heidi Keller, parents of Chase and Ciera, appreciate Mrs. Meier because “She taught our children to be very responsible, at an age when it is very important. She also knew how to teach our children at their specific academic level. Both of our kids loved her as their teacher!”
From her early days as a student growing up in Bay City, Michigan, Meier knew the importance of Christian education.
“I loved school! I had amazing teachers who showed me God's love and took such joy in teaching. They made me enjoy learning, and I knew I wanted to be that kind of teacher someday,” Meier said.
Meier attended Concordia University Chicago in River Forest for her undergraduate degree and completed her master's degree in early childhood education at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.
“We are so blessed to have Susan on our staff,” Domeier says. “Her dedication to her students and to our school is evident every day. When she and her husband began their family a few years ago, we were so pleased we could offer her a modified schedule to accommodate her family's needs and keep her on our faculty.”
Meier co-teaches with Cheryl Leitner, a veteran teacher and coach who grew up in the Dundee area. “This is really a dream team” said Domeier.
The Immanuel community is celebrating Meier's honor in many ways this month, from announcements during worship services to banners and the ceremonial “Immanuel Eagle Fledge,” an all-campus event which features students, staff and parents lining the halls and stairways to pay tribute to the honoree as he or she walks along the path and out the door. This special tradition pays homage to the Immanuel mascot, the eagle, and describes a bird who is developed and ready to soar.
Pastor Phillip Baerwolf of Immanuel Lutheran Church, the school's supporting congregation, describes the Eagle Fledge, “This unique Immanuel tradition reminds me of that moment in nature when the young eagle is ready to leave the nest and soar for the first time. On campus, all of our Immanuel Eagles gather to celebrate and cheer on the Eagle who is soaring, whether that be at the state basketball tournament, Illinois science fair, or to accept a Teacher of the Year honor.”
Meier was honored with the special send off on Thursday, Oct. 9, at noon as she headed out of town to collect her award.
Immanuel Lutheran School, located on Main Street in East Dundee, has been continuously serving students in the Dundee area for over 150 years. Immanuel offers high quality academics, varied extracurriculars, and a secure learning environment for students in prekindergarten to eighth grade. For more information, visit Immanuel-ed.org or contact Julia Heinz, director of admissions, at jheinz@immanuel-ed.org or (847) 428-1010.