2006 Educator of the Year: Mel Kieschnick

The Lutheran Association of Christian Educators , is honored to announce the 2006 Educator of the Year, Dr. Mel Kieschnick, AiM. A member of Calvary Lutheran Church, Solana Beach, CA, Dr. Kieschnick was nominated by the Calvary Lutheran Church Christian Education Team for his contributions to Christian education within Lutheran schools and congregations for over 50 years.

Mel has been active in Christian education though his career which includes such calls as:
a. teacher and principal of a church elementary school in Tracy, CA
b. LCMS-missionary and coordinator of education for its mission in Hong Kong
c. Founding chair of the board of the Hong Kong International School
d. Professor of Christian Education and pastoral leadership at Hong Kong College, Lutheran Bible Institute, Concordia Theological Seminary of Hong Kong and Lutheran Theological Seminary, Shatin China,
e. Along with Dr. Thomas Gordon created  Clergy Effectiveness Training
 f.  Executive Director of the Lutheran Schools Association of New York
g. Currently serves as a Staff Associate for the Wheat Ridge Ministries
h. Member of Christian Education Team, Calvary Lutheran, Solana, CA
i.  Contributor for various journals for LEA and ELEA
j.  Serves on the Lutheran Association of Christian Educators Endowment Task Force

The Educator of the Year Award will/was presented to Dr. Kieschnick, AiM by President Teresa Kaldor at the Partner for Nurture Event held at Trinity College, Issaquah, WA on January 27, 2007. The award includes (ed) a monetary honorarium gift certificate from Augsburg Fortress Publishers and an engraved clock.