The Lutheran Elementary School Association (LESA) is proud to announce that Dee Leible has been awarded the Lutheran Education Association’s (LEA) Distinguished Lutheran Middle School Teacher Award for 2025—the second LESA educator to receive this honor in two consecutive years. Leible received her award at the LEA Convocation at the St. Louis America’s Center in October.
Leible currently serves as the fifth-grade homeroom teacher and seventh-grade math teacher at Christ Community Lutheran School (CCLS). She also was the lead teacher for the fifth–eighth grade Youth Coding League. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Concordia University Nebraska and a master’s degree in mathematics education from the University of Missouri.
A devoted educator admired by colleagues, students, and families, Leible’s nominator praised her teaching, saying, “Mrs. Leible’s students thrive under her teaching. She incorporates technology and experiential learning extremely effectively in her math classes. She challenges students in wonderful ways, and her students work hard and learn a great deal. Mrs. Leible is a superstar teacher—bottom line!”
A supporting parent shared, “What stands out most about Ms. Leible is how everything she does—every conversation, every lesson, every task—reflects that Christ is at the center of her life. Her faith is the foundation of her teaching and guides how she interacts with students, families, and colleagues.”
Her pastor added, “Mrs. Leible is strongly committed to serving Jesus in the classroom and within our congregation. Her students benefit from her servant leadership and heart. She speaks God’s love through the subject she loves—math.”
Leible describes her teaching mission as, “To glorify God by serving with a heart of humility, nurturing students’ curiosity, and guiding them to grow in knowledge and faith. I strive to cultivate a classroom where faith, learning, and love for others flourish—all for the glory of God.”
The 2024 LEA Distinguished Lutheran Middle School Teacher Award recipient was Kevin Rudzinski of St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Des Peres. With 27 years of service in Lutheran education, Mr. Rudzinski teaches middle school science, math, and STEM. He holds a B.A. in secondary education (Biology, Mathematics) from Concordia University Chicago and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction in Natural Science from the University of Missouri–Kansas City.
In support of Rudzinski, his administrator shared, “Mr. Rudzinski is an outstanding middle school teacher of science and math. He is blessed with much knowledge in these content areas. When I have witnessed him teach, I am amazed that he is able to take his vast knowledge and teach it in a way that is understandable to middle school students. He brings the content to life for his students and makes it meaningful for them. I believe he does a tremendous job teaching the material and challenging the students in his classroom. The evidence for this is that several high school students have mentioned to me that they are very prepared for high school, more than any of their classmates. I cannot think of a better compliment for his teaching!”
About LESA
More than 9,700 children attend LESA-member Lutheran schools in the St. Louis Metro Area, making Lutheran schools the second-largest private school system in the Bi-State area. A Recognized Service Organization of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, LESA represents 38 elementary and high schools and five related agencies. For more information, visit www.LESAstl.org.
