Geoffrey Stands, Director of Safety and Behavior in the West Ada School District in Meridian, has been named this year’s L.E. Wesche Outstanding Educator by Northwest Nazarene University. The award was presented at a private reception on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.
Stands received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education in 1993 and his Master of Educational Leadership degree in 1996 from Northwest Nazarene University. Following his positions as a classroom teacher, assistant principal and principal in Boise, Meridian and Eagle schools, Stands continued his education by earning an Education Specialist degree in 2018 from the University of Idaho, where he moved into a Regional Director position in the West Ada School District before becoming the Director of Safety and Behavior in 2023.
“[In choosing an L.E. Wesche award recipient,] the committee considers the candidate’s positive impact on the field of education extending beyond the classroom or office, how they have been a catalyst for change, their representation of the NNU ideals of scholarship in a Christian context and their quality leadership and service to the profession,” said Holly Ripley, Associate Professor of Education and Chair of Undergraduate Education. “In his remarks shared with the student teachers at the reception, Stands reminded our teacher candidates of their mission ‘to make an eternal difference in [their] students’ lives.’ He is an inspiration to our teacher candidates just entering the field.”
This award is named in honor of Dr. Lilburn Wesche, NNU Faculty Emeritus, who graduated from Northwest Nazarene College in 1951. During his 30-year career at NNU, he was a professor, head of the education department, director of teacher education, director of graduate studies, interim academic dean and chair of the division of professional studies. Award recipients are current professionals who make a positive impact in the field of education that extends beyond the classroom.
The L.E. Wesche award recipient is nominated and selected by an advisory council composed of current and emeriti NNU education department faculty. The committee considers the candidates’ positive impact on the field of education extending beyond the classroom or office, how they have been a catalyst for change, their representation of the NNU ideals of scholarship in a Christian context and their quality leadership and service to the profession.