Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

Rachel Wisnieski, a teacher at Aquinas Elementary in David City, will be honored with the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award for her 32 years of service in education, including 26 years within the Aquinas Catholic Schools system.

Wisnieski credits her mother, also a teacher, as an early inspiration. “My mom was a teacher, and she was this amazing person who had great relationships with her students,” Wisnieski said. “I saw that, and I wanted that, too. But I didn’t know if I could be that good of a teacher. It took me a couple of years in college to finally decide that teaching was my calling. Once I made that decision, everything fell into place.”

She began her career at a rural school in Colfax County before teaching at a Catholic school in Omaha for three years. After moving to Schuyler with her husband and wanting their children to receive a Catholic education, she applied at St. Mary in David City where she has taught ever since.

For Wisnieski, teaching is more than an occupation; it is about sharing faith as well as knowledge. “Kids need to know God because they need to know there’s something bigger in the universe than themselves,” she said. “They need to know that God loves them, wants what’s best for them, and is always there – even when they’re naughty, even when they disappoint people. God loves them unconditionally. Catholic education allows children to build that relationship with Him.”

She believes this approach can have far-reaching effects: “The world would be so much of a better place if everybody knew they weren’t the center of the universe – that God is,” Wisnieski said.

As a pre-kindergarten teacher, Wisnieski observes students arriving uncertain but leaving confident by year’s end: “They come in so dependent, lacking confidence,” she explained. “By the end of the year, they can do so many things. I love seeing them later, when they’re older – reading petitions at church, playing basketball, or just living their best lives. Watching them grow into independent, confident young people makes me so proud.”

She shared stories about meeting former students now working adults and noted several have returned as teachers within Aquinas Catholic Schools: “That’s incredible to me,” Wisnieski said. “To see kids I once taught come back here to teach others about God – it just fills me with joy.”

Reflecting on daily moments from her classroom experiences—including humorous anecdotes involving students’ pets—she emphasized how these connections affirm her role as an educator.

Wisnieski expressed gratitude for being chosen for the award: “There are so many amazing teachers out there who give their time, talent and heart to teach children about God,” she said. “I’m just so honored that I was chosen.”

She credited family support throughout her career: “My family has always been so supportive,” she said. “This award is possible because of them, my teaching colleagues and my principals – both past and present. I am so thankful.”

Looking ahead after more than three decades teaching, Wisnieski remains enthusiastic about projects like outdoor classrooms and new religious programs but maintains focus on helping children recognize their worth through faith: “Seeing them grow up confident, faithful and ready to live out God’s plan for them,” she said,“that’s the greatest gift of all.”

Wisnieski will receive the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award on October 12 during the third annual "Saints & Scholars" dinner honoring educators across the Diocese of Lincoln; further details are available at www.goodshepherdscholarship.com.