Jan Doellinger ‘73 receives Concordia University, Nebraska’s Master Educator Award

Jan Doellinger ‘73 recently received Concordia University, Nebraska’s Master Educator Award, which is presented to teachers, Directors of Christian Education, school administrators or deaconesses who have distinguished themselves through prolonged superior service in Lutheran educational ministry. 

Doellinger earned a bachelor of science in education and a Lutheran Teacher Diploma from then-named Concordia Teachers College in Seward. She also has a master of arts in administration from then-named Concordia College in River Forest, Illinois. 

“I didn’t go to a Lutheran School until I was in fourth grade. My parents and our family moved to a farm outside of Atkins, Iowa,” she said. “I loved my Lutheran grade school experience. When I was in high school, I helped the teachers in our Lutheran school grade papers. This was the 1970’s, so the only choice I knew about to be a Lutheran church worker was to be a teacher. I visited the Concordias at River Forest, St. Paul and Seward. The Holy Spirit led me to Concordia in Seward.” 

Concordia brought me into a closer relationship with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Being at Concordia informed my teaching experiences which I needed to be a Lutheran school teacher and integrate the faith into my classes and help my students grow in their relationship with Jesus, too.

Doellinger currently serves as interim principal of Trinity Lutheran School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and as The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Iowa District East (IDE) assistant to the president. In the district role, she represents the president at all schools and preschools, serves as a resource to all schools and early childhood centers in the district, provides call lists and offers resources and support to new school starts. She also partners with others to plan and present yearly teacher’s conferences, early childhood conferences, principal’s conferences and board trainings.  

Doellinger previously served as teacher and then principal at Central Lutheran School in Newhall, Iowa, as middle school principal at Faith Lutheran Middle School & High School in Las Vegas, as teacher, assistant principal and principal of Trinity Lutheran School in Davenport, Iowa, and as teacher at St. Paul’s Lutheran School, North Tonawanda, New York. She said her time at Concordia Nebraska prepared her well for her work. 

“I discovered that I could really do this work of teaching kids about Jesus, and that God had blessed me with gifts to be in a classroom where I could both teach and learn,” she explained. “I learned that if you really want to do something, you need to work at it and to gain confidence in doing so. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t. And when it does, how can I improve upon it and make it better the next time? When it doesn’t, learn from the mistake and move on. I have been blessed to have experienced a wide variety of situations over the years, and as an administrator I can support and encourage the educators in my district. I think another experience I had at Concordia was identifying those people who I looked up to and wanted to emulate. Throughout my ministry I have been blessed with mentors, colleagues, and members of the congregation from whom I learned so much and who had the patience to work with me and help me grow into being who I am today.” 

Doellinger has given presentations and sectionals connected with Lutheran Education Association (LEA) Convocation and district teacher’s conferences. She served as project manager for the LEA Lutheran Elementary Teachers Department’s Beginning Teacher’s Academy, has been published in the Lutheran Education Journal and has contributed a monthly article for educators in IDE’s professional packet since 2016. She serves on the Iowa Lutheran Student Tuition Organization board of directors and the Iowa Alliance for Choice in Education board of directors. She has held various positions with LEA including president.   

“This award isn’t about me. It’s about how God has used me to do His work. The Scripture passage that comes to mind is Colossians 3:15-17 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” I’m just one of thousands of Lutheran school teachers past, present and future, who do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus every day because it’s not about us,” she said. “It’s about how Christ uses each one of us to tell the story of Jesus by what we think, say, and do with all the people in our ministry that we come in contact. No, I don’t deserve this honor, but I can honor our Lord by recognizing the fact that He is the One who is being honored, and I am His vessel. To Him be the glory!” 

Active in her church, Doellinger has volunteered as an usher, handbell choir director, children and adult choir director and educational consultant. In addition to her current role with Iowa District East, she has served on the IDE Board of Directors, the IDE Schools Committee and the IDE Parish Education Committee. She is also ex officio of the Christ Lutheran High School board of directors.  

She said her Concordia Nebraska professors had direct impact on her work. 

“The professor that comes to mind is Dr. Orville Walz. Before he became president of the university, he taught introduction to education. I was hooked. He was able to make this class one that opened my eyes to the reality of what teaching in a Lutheran school was all about,” she explained. “What makes this even more special was that our paths crossed while he was president at the university, and I was an LEA officer. We were colleagues! I also loved my theology professors and classes. And my minor in music was choral work. I loved going to concerts on campus and watching the directors do their work, and I enjoyed singing in several choirs which gave me an up close and personal experience.” 

She is married to Rev. Jerry Doellinger and has two stepchildren, Chad and Chris Doellinger, and four grandchildren. Together, Jerry and Jan started the Pastor Jerry and Jan Doellinger Endowment Fund for Student Loan Relief for workers in Iowa District East to help called workers reduce their student debt.  

“As I reflect on what my favorite Concordia experience was, I think it would have to be that it helped my faith grow stronger and rely on the Lord to get me through all that I would experience during those four years,” she said. “The Lord used relationships with my new friends, my classes, my professors, chapel, new experiences and opportunities to grow, and campus life in general that allowed me to be able to be what I am today. That is what I cherish about my time at Concordia and will be forever grateful.” 

Each year, Concordia University, Nebraska recognizes select individuals with awards and honorary degrees at its commencement honors dinner in early May. The degrees and awards celebrate the contributions and service of these individuals to the Concordia Nebraska community, the church and the world.