Three Concordia University, Nebraska alumni recognized by Lutheran Education Association (LEA)

Three Concordia University, Nebraska alumni were recently presented with awards from the Lutheran Education Association (LEA). John Maas ‘81 received the 2025 Distinguished Retired Lutheran Educator “EncourAGING” Award, Isaac Weander ‘24 was honored as LEA’s 2025 Outstanding New Lutheran Secondary Educator and Dee Leible ‘09 was named 2025 LEA Distinguished Lutheran Middle School Teacher. 

“All of us at Concordia Nebraska are pleased to join LEA in recognizing Dee, John and Isaac as excellent educators who exemplify the legacy of the university. We thank God for those who encouraged them to enter Lutheran education for all the opportunities they have had to share the Gospel of Jesus with students and families,” said Dr. Lorinda Sankey, dean of the Concordia Nebraska College of Education. 

Maas, who served in Lutheran education for 41 years and is now retired, lives in Kansas City, Missouri. He most recently served as teacher for the Martin Luther Academy in Kansas City. Since his retirement, he has continued to volunteer at the school. Maas has a bachelor of science in education from then-named Concordia Teachers College in Seward. He served all 41 years of his education career in the Kansas City area. He was previously honored with the Walmart Teacher of the Year. 

All of us at Concordia Nebraska are pleased to join LEA in recognizing Dee, John and Isaac as excellent educators who exemplify the legacy of the university. We thank God for those who encouraged them to enter Lutheran education for all the opportunities they have had to share the Gospel of Jesus with students and families.

He continues to serve in a variety of ways. He started Scooter Club as a teacher at Martin Luther Academy and continues this ministry in his retirement. He works with older students on small engine repairs, remodeling, and painting. Over the years, they have remodeled scooters, golf carts, and riding lawnmowers. Most recently, the students had the opportunity to work on model trains and enter a model train show. Known for his meaningful interactions with students, he has also served as a special guest for many students for Grandparents Day. In addition to faithfully attending church worship services and Bible studies, he has volunteered in a variety of ways: playing in the handbell choir, serving on various boards and committees, serving as a confirmation mentor, and he also helps with various events ensuring that lights and sound systems are working property. He also serves the community at large repairing bikes for children for an organization that gifts them each Christmas. He also repairs cars for free for neighbors, church family and friends.  

Weander serves as director of choirs and theology teacher at Concordia Lutheran High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He graduated from Concordia Nebraska with a bachelor of music in K-12 vocal and instrumental music education with a Lutheran Teacher Diploma. At the university, he was named Outstanding Student in Music Education and was selected as the student director of the Concordia University Nebraska A Cappella Choir. He also served a summer Director of Christian Education internship which allowed him to strengthen his skills in interacting with youth and parents, planning events, preparing curriculum, and sharing the Gospel. 

He delights in working with students, he said. He enjoyed their questions and thirst for knowledge. He said that although his days are full and his responsibilities are multi-faceted, he truly enjoys serving the church through his roles. In all things that he does – whether teaching theology and music, singing or serving in other ways, he seeks to point others to Jesus Christ. “We, as Lutheran educators, have the unique opportunity to spread the Gospel message in everything that we do and say to whomever we do or say it to,” he said. 

Leible serves as fifth-grade homeroom teacher leading discipleship, math and technology courses at Christ Community Lutheran School in Kirkwood, Missouri. She also teaches seventh grade math in addition to serving as the school’s Youth Coding League coach for 5th-8th grades. She previously served at Lutheran schools in St. Joseph, Missouri and Jackson, Missouri. She has a bachelor’s degree in education from Concordia University, Nebraska and a master’s degree in mathematics education from the University of Missouri. 

She said she loves listening to students' voices as they sing, pray and praise the Lord. She loves their questions and curiosity. Parents commend Leible for reflecting Christ clearly in her lessons, tasks and conversations, praising her for making faith the foundation of her teaching and the guiding principle in how she interacts with students, families and colleagues. She is also known for incorporating technology and experiential learning to facilitate effective learning in her math classes. 

The Lutheran Education Association is an international, professional organization that links, equips and affirms educators in Lutheran ministries.  

Are you interested in learning more about how Concordia Nebraska prepares teachers to serve and lead from a foundation of faith? Discover more here.