Nominations are More than Honors

In the past few years, I have been the recipient of several awards – most recently from Wisconsin Governor Doyle’s Council on Financial Literacy. All very nice, but none of it possible without first being nominated! A shout out to Cpl. Roy Kluss and Sheriff Michael Helmke of Sheboygan County, Kevin Mueller of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, and Lisa Anne Arneson of Family Service Association for bringing my name to one selection committee after another.

There are many teachers throughout the pre-K to adult education systems who are conducting marvelous learning activities with their students every day; they could just as easily be applauded for their efforts. I am very fortunate to have co-workers from partnering agencies who have nominated me for awards – honors resulting in local, state, and national recognition of Lakeshore Technical College’s Adult Inmate Education program in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin. I encourage you to search for opportunities to recognize your colleagues and counterparts for their outstanding work. An award nomination validates the employee and employer, strengthens partnerships, expands the professional network, and provides opportunities for positive publicity.

Over the years, I have nominated various people for service and professional awards; I must say it is extremely gratifying to see a co-worker, particularly one whose name you personally brought forth, be the recipient of public honor.

If you have thinking about nominating a colleague for an award, consider the Correctional Education Association, the American Jail Association, the American Correctional Association, and get it done! If you have never considered doing so, please start looking for a way to make it happen!

by: Sharon Abel, Lakeshore Technical College
Sheboygan County Detention Center