By Taryn Vanderford
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - Each month during the school year, 10/11 and Doane University present a Golden Apple Award to a deserving teacher. The December 2023 winner is a busy mom of two who wears many hats at St. Edward Public Schools.
Skyelar Sindelar is a senior at St. Edward. She’s preparing for her future as a possible firefighter, and just trying to get through math. It’s Lindsay Tenski who’s taken Skyelar under her wing, as she does all of her students. She’s helping Skyelar with math, guides her as the principal and serves as the district assessment coordinator. Mrs. Tenski says her life can be crazy, chaotic and sometimes messy. But Skyelar says she goes above and beyond for her students, “her family.”
We surprised Mrs. Tenski with this Christmas gift on ugly Christmas sweater day at the school. She was tearful and very thankful.
“Every night we watch 10/11 and every time the Golden Apple thing comes on, I tell my husband again I didn’t get nominated,” Tenski said. “I have a feeling he had something to do with this, too.”
Her husband did have a hand in this, teaming up with Skyelar who sent in this well-written nomination.
“She is a truly admirable person for many recognizable reasons. One of those being stepping up to the principal role when the previous one left. It really showed her dedication and commitment to the school and students.”
“I took on the role as principal, and we couldn’t find another math teacher to take my position as a math teacher so I’ve been doing both,” Tenski said. “I’m so programmed to run, run, run through my entire day, and the kids and the staff have come to know that if they need to talk with me, we are probably going to have to walk and talk.”
And according to Skyelar, Mrs. Tenski always has time to talk to students.
“She could be on the other side of the school, but if you needed help, she’d come,” Skyelar said. “She cares a lot about everybody, and she’s willing to be there, no matter what. I’ve had her since 7th grade, and math was not always my favorite class. I was pretty bad at it when I started. But she’s a good teacher, and she made me see that math isn’t so bad, and now it’s my favorite class.”
And it’s not just a tough subject that Mrs. Tenski is helpful with. She’s helping Skyelar with her future.
“She has said she was excited to go into the firefighting career, and my husband is on the volunteer fire department for St. Edward, so he’s being helping her through that journey,” Tenski said.
St. Edward is a small school, but it’s truly a family. It’s where educators like Lindsay Tenski carry the spirit of Christmas with them daily, with a kind heart and a giving nature.
“The students here become my own kids,” Tenski said. “I worry about them as much as my own kids. The parents have been awesome, they have taken me in and it’s just a wonderful community, and I’m very honored to be a part of it, and it’s my 15th year here.”
And for Skyelar, we’re glad we could help make this Christmas wish come true.
We asked Skyelar what she thought when she found out her nomination had won.
“I have been shaking and nervous all day,” Skyelar said. “I barley slept actually because I was so excited!”
Video:
https://www.1011now.com/2023/12/28/golden-apple-teacher-wears-many-hats-support-students/