Learning Legacy: Abebe honored for influential teaching career at LPS

May 5, 2025

 

When Lincoln Board of Education President Bob Rauner asked 770 students at Adams Elementary School how many of them had Mary Abebe as a teacher, every single hand in the room immediately went up.
 
Abebe was honored for her immeasurable impact on others this spring with the Scottish Rite Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award. Members of the local Scottish Rite Organization chapter select one Lincoln Public Schools teacher for the award each year. They picked Abebe for her “outstanding accomplishments and performance to the teaching profession” throughout her decades-long career.
 
Abebe said she was grateful and humbled to be chosen for the prestigious honor. She was named after her great-grandmother, who worked in a one-room schoolhouse and passed down a love of learning in her family. Abebe said the opportunity to continue offering caring and compassionate instruction to students is why she enjoys her job.
 
“When I think about all the sacrifices my family has made down through the years, and that I can give them something back, it means a lot to me,” Abebe said.
 
Adams Principal Jeff Rust said Abebe has become a treasured person at school because of her far-reaching influence on everyone she meets. Rust spent time alongside Abebe when both were at Saratoga Elementary School, and he was delighted to work with her again when he became Adams principal in 2021.
 
“I’ve watched her in a classroom and I’ve watched her in a specialist room, and the impact she has on kids is absolutely amazing,” Rust said. “She just has that connection with kids no matter their background. She makes a connection with kids that gives them a love of learning.”
 
Abebe learned about her selection during a surprise announcement in front of a cheering student body in April. She was officially recognized with her award May 2 in a ceremony at the Steve Joel District Leadership Center.
 
LPS Associate Superintendent of Human Resources Vann Price said Abebe has inspired thousands of people during her career. Abebe began teaching LPS children in 1995 at Campbell Elementary School before moving to Saratoga and Kloefkorn elementary schools. She began her current position as a K-5 computer science teacher at Adams in 2019.
 
“If I were to ask the adults in this room how many of you have been impacted by Ms. Abebe’s teaching, I bet every hand would go up, including mine and some of the folks that are in the district office,” Price said during the surprise announcement. “We are very, very proud of you, Ms. Abebe.”
 
Rust said he was happy to watch Abebe receive deafening applause when the announcement was made. The entire student body chanted Abebe’s name four times during the 15-minute ceremony, which featured members of the Scottish Rite chapter, multiple LPS administrators and dozens of supportive co-workers. Abebe spent more than 15 minutes hugging friends and accepting enthusiastic high-fives from students afterwards.
 
“I’ve been a part of one of these celebrations in another building, and I just loved the expression on the person’s face when they found out it was them,” Rust said. “And today was great, especially for Mary, because she thinks she doesn’t deserve this, but she deserves this from all of her years of hard work.”
 
Abebe said it was especially meaningful to have Price and LPS Multicultural Empowerment Coordinator Barbara Miller in the audience. The trio formed a close bond as fellow Campbell teachers, singing “The Storm is Passing Over” together whenever one of them was experiencing stressful moments. Abebe said their support is a major reason why she has remained in education for so long.
 
“It gave me a sisterhood that I didn’t even think I could see in teaching, so we’ve stayed together over the years,” Abebe said. “We still go out. We’ve learned and grown together. I’m just so proud of them.”
 
Abebe said the ability to watch children grow and develop is important for her. One of her lessons this school year involved students designing and building their own computer games. When one of the Aviators alerted her about a glitch happening in his game, she asked everyone in the class to help him solve the problem. The experience strengthened lifelong skills such as teamwork, unity and compassion for the entire group.
 
“Elementary is the foundation,” Abebe said. “It’s the foundation that middle school and high school can grow on. At elementary, they love school. They love their teachers, so you get that extra boost.”
 
Abebe said she has tried to pass forward the kindness and respect that she has received from many friends in the profession. LPS K-5 Computer Science Coordinator Caitlin Provance, LPS Career and Technical Education Curriculum Specialist Jason Thomsen and multiple computer science teachers encouraged her when she joined their specialty.
 
“They all took care of me,” Abebe said. “I feel blessed. I feel blessed for the leaders in my life.”
 
Abebe said it was both overwhelming and humbling to know that her name would be placed on the permanent list of Scottish Rite recipients.
 
“I haven't comprehended it,” Abebe said. “I can remember walking in the hallways and seeing the pictures of the people, and I didn’t ever think I would be one of those people. I just love my job. I love what I do. I love teaching.”

You can learn more about past Scottish Rite Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award winners on our website at  https://www.lps.org/about/scottish-rite/index.html.

Do you have a story idea? Share it with the LPS Communications Team by filling out this form!

---