By TYLER ELLYSON
UNK Communications
KEARNEY – Mike Teahon has spent more than four decades supporting Nebraska schools, first as a teacher and administrator and now as a University of Nebraska at Kearney faculty member preparing the next generation of educational leaders.
That commitment to education was recognized last month when the Nebraska Council of School Administrators (NCSA) presented Teahon with its Distinguished Service Award during Administrators’ Days in Kearney.
The annual award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional, distinguished leadership in public education. Teahon, an associate professor and chair of UNK’s Department of Educational Administration, received the honor in front of a large group of administrators from across Nebraska gathered at the Younes Conference Center.
“Receiving the Distinguished Service Award from my colleagues in the Nebraska Council of School Administrators is both a humbling and deeply meaningful honor,” he said. “I have been incredibly fortunate to spend my career doing work I love through supporting, guiding and encouraging those who lead Nebraska’s public schools.”
A central Nebraska native who grew up on a farm and ranch near Arnold, Teahon has 42 years of experience as an educator. He earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Kearney State College in 1985 before beginning his career as a math and history teacher and coach. He later served as a secondary principal and spent 20 years as a superintendent, including his final 18 years in K-12 education at Gothenburg Public Schools.
Teahon maintained close ties to UNK throughout his career. He earned a master’s degree in educational administration from UNK in 1994 and an education specialist degree in 1999, then began teaching courses as an adjunct faculty member in 2013. He joined the Department of Educational Administration as chair in 2018 and became a full-time faculty member the following year.
Today, he teaches courses covering topics such as school business management, supervision of instruction, school law and public school finance while also overseeing internships. His work allows him to share decades of experience with current and aspiring school administrators across Nebraska.
That role is a continuation of the service that has defined his career.
“Throughout my career in education, I have benefited from the wisdom, mentorship and support of so many others,” said Teahon, who completed his doctorate in educational administration through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “It is a true privilege to now have the opportunity to give back and help others in the same way so many have helped me.”
Teahon has been active in numerous statewide organizations, including the NCSA, Nebraska Association of School Administrators (NASA), Greater Nebraska Superintendents and Western Nebraska Administrators. He previously served on the NCSA Executive Board, including a term as chair, and was named Nebraska Superintendent of the Year by the NASA in 2018.
Geraldine Erickson, administrator for Educational Service Unit 17, also received the Distinguished Service Award during Administrators’ Days. She has led ESU 17 for the past 10 years after previously serving as superintendent at Keya Paha County Schools.
“Dr. Mike Teahon and Geraldine Erickson are well-deserving of the NCSA Distinguished Service Award, and each reflect what this award was established to honor and celebrate,” NCSA Executive Director Mike Dulaney said. “Nebraska has benefited from their leadership for decades, and we were proud to honor them at Administrators’ Days. The impact they’ve made on the profession has been enormous, and their leadership invaluable. They’ve given so much to our organization, and they’ve done so while keeping Nebraska’s students and the future of our state their top priorities.”
Teahon used his acceptance speech to turn the attention back to the school administrators gathered in the room and the work they perform every day.
“There are so many great people in this room who do amazing things. Every child benefits from your work, even though not everyone knows the work that you do,” he told them.
