Stenftenagel nominated for national LifeChanger award

Photo from this Wildcat Weekly story. http://wildcatweekly.org/?p=5841

Jasper High School Special Education Teacher Rick Steftenagel has been nominated as a LifeChanger of the Year.

A group of 15 LifeChanger awardees will determine the LifeChanger award winner based on several criteria including: a proven ability to make a beneficial difference in the lives of students; an ability to positively add to the development of the school’s atmosphere; a leader in his or her activities at the school and/or district level; a proven record of excellent performance at the professional level; a commitment to producing a nurturing atmosphere
Adherence to high moral and ethical standards.

The following are excerpts from the nomination information supplied to the LifeChanger organization.

Stenftenagel was nominated for his work and efforts with his special needs students. He goes out of his way to ensure that students have everything they need to be successful and comfortable while also challenging them to do their very best.

Following his own personal motto of “be a step above”, Stenftenagel always takes extra steps to assist others at all times.

He strives to instill the value of hard work in all his students and stresses the importance of working as a team. That spills over into their work at the school’s cafeteria where they are credited with ensuring it work efficiently.

Mr. Stenftenagel recently retired as Jasper’s varsity wrestling coach. He excelled as a coach and was inducted into the Indiana Wrestling Hall of Fame. His three decades of coaching young men has impacted hundreds, if not thousands, of student athletes. He continues to coach students in Unified Track, a program he helped to bring to Jasper High School. His commitment to the program is incredible. He ensures that students receive transportation to and from practices and competitions, and it is not uncommon for him to treat the students to ice cream.

He continues to coach students in Unified Track, a program he helped to bring to Jasper High School. His commitment to the program is incredible. He ensures that students receive transportation to and from practices and competitions, and it is not uncommon for him to treat the students to ice cream.

Mr. Stenftenagel often jokes that his middle initial, J, stands for champion and the school faculty agrees.