‘I just love teaching’: Adams Elementary educator gets $10,000 grant

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Lincoln Public Schools announced the winner of a $10,000 Educator of the Year grant on Friday.

Mary Abebe, a K-5 computer science teacher at Adams Elementary School, is this year’s recipient of the 2025 Scottish Rite Educator of the Year.

“I haven’t comprehended it,” Abebe said. “I can remember walking down the hallway and seeing the pictures of the people. I didn’t think I’d be one of those people. I just love teaching.”

Of thousands of teachers in LPS, Abebe was chosen for her commitment, creativity and enthusiasm in the classroom, according to a press release from LPS.

The Scottish Rite Educator of the Year grant was created in 1964 to recognize excellent classroom teachers and raise awareness of the role teachers play. The award recipient receives a $10,000 check from the organization.

Abebe attended LPS as a student and then in 1995 began teaching at Campbell Elementary School. She then taught at Saratoga and Kloefkorn elementary schools before moving to Adams in 2019.

Abebe will be formally honored May 2 at 4 p.m. at the Steve Joel District Leadership Center.