By Tyler Dahlgren

The little gymnasium inside Fairbury’s Central Elementary fell silent just after the clock struck 10 Tuesday morning. It was so quiet, the 160 or so little kids sitting so still, that you could hear Sara Forsgren walking down the hallway, unsuspecting of the celebration that awaited.

When the special education teacher came through the door, the gym erupted with applause for Mrs. Forsgren, who was one of five teachers across the state presented with the UNL Athletic Department’s Touchdown for Teachers Award. In all, more than 800 teachers were nominated for the honor, which was presented by Husker Athletic Partners’ Riley Courtright and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Nebraska’s Stephanie Williamson.

"She just goes above and beyond what the call of duty is," said Megan Rosener, Central Elementary’s PTA Representative President, who submitted the initial nomination. "She finds whatever the student is interested in and then finds something to make learning enjoyable for them on their level. She gets to know them. She puts everybody else before her."

That ability to meet students where they are is what makes Forsgren a remarkable educator. Whether it’s adapting a lesson to a child’s specific sensory needs or finding a creative hook to engage a struggling learner, Forsgren’s approach is rooted in empathy and understanding. 

Her heart, Rosener said, is huge, and it’s felt here, in her work.

"I work with a wide variety of kiddos," Forsgren said through post-ceremony happy tears. "I’m just trying to support what’s best for them, figuring out their unique needs and how I can best meet them."

While the award recognized Forsgren’s individual excellence, the atmosphere in the gym made it clear that this was a win for the entire Fairbury Public Schools family. As Forsgren accepted the honor, the tears in the room weren't just hers.

"When I got the email, it was one of the best ones," said principal Kim Roberts. "Sara is a jack of all trades. She cares about the kids and comes in patient, calm, and super consistent every single day. We couldn’t have been more excited."

For Roberts, the award is a reflection of the all-in mentality that defines the district. Surrounded by the entire student body, her family and colleagues was a fitting way to celebrate.

"It shows our full community that we’re all in it together," Roberts said. "Megan, who nominated Sara, is our PTA president, so she really sees the ins and outs of the school day and the community. This is a complete reflection of Fairbury."

Forsgren was completely caught off guard. She wasn’t expecting this at all, though Rosener did let news of her nomination leak about a month ago, on “one of those days.” Every teacher has them, the ones where the challenges feel a little heavier than usual. During a particularly tough week for Forsgren, Rosener decided she couldn't wait for a committee in Lincoln’s decision to tell Sara she was appreciated.

"I actually sent her what I’d written in the nomination and said, 'You know what? I’ve never heard back from them, but you need to hear this. You need to hear it now,'" Rosener said.

Support from colleagues isn’t uncommon at Central Elementary. In fact, it’s what Forsgren credits for a majority of her success as a Special Education teacher. She described the Central staff as a tight crew that thrives on collaboration.

"I feel very humbled and blessed," Forsgren said. "I feel like all the individuals in this building are student-centered, student-forward. We’re a team. They mean so much to me. I could not ask for a better working environment."

The students, who sat criss cross applesauce and waited eagerly to surprise Mrs. Forsgren, are at the center of it all. They’re the foundation, and they’re also what makes it so easy for Forsgren and her colleagues to hop out of bed with a pep in their step in the mornings. 

“The students look forward to seeing us and we look forward to seeing them. It's just a great place to be,” said Rosener. “The staff, they genuinely care about the students. The students love coming to school to be part of this great environment that we have created here. By being caring and kind, we really are able to have a good relationship with students and build morale within the school district.”

Forsgren and the other four Touchdown for Teachers award recipients will be honored on Tom Osborne Field during the Nebraska football spring game Saturday. When she’s out there in front of tens of thousands of Husker fans, she’ll be thinking about her students back in Fairbury. This recognition is as much a reflection of them, of their triumphs and successes, as anything.

Years down the road, she hopes they’ll remember their time with Mrs. Forsgren and smile.

"I want them to remember that they were loved," Forsgren said, rather simply. "That they were cared about."

Perhaps they’ll remember Tuesday morning, too. 

That time when they filled their little gymnasium up with cheers and celebrated the champion in their corner.