Published September 14, 2026
Mrs. Monica Olsen was honored as the recipient of the Lucille McLean Educator Award at the 2026 Plattsmouth Harvest Festival. The award was presented by retired Plattsmouth Teacher, Mrs. Sharon Smith.
Mrs. Olsen is beginning her 16th year of teaching this year. Before becoming a
teacher she worked as an insurance adjustor and as a restaurant manager. She
decided to go back to school at the University of NE, Lincoln to obtain both a
Spanish degree and her Masters degree in Education.
Mrs. Olsen's first teaching job was in Waverly, NE where she taught for 2 years before being
hired at Plattsmouth High School. At Plattsmouth High she has taught Spanish
1,2,3 and 4. She also teaches a Capstone class for seniors which helps prepare them
for their next step after High School. In addition to these classes, Mrs. Olsen is working on
another Masters in Sociology and currently teaches Dual Credit Sociology classes
where students earn college credit at PHS. This year she is also working with our new SOAR
program which helps students recover needed credits for graduation.
One of Mrs. Olsen's greatest joys is helping students become future teachers. Through
Teaching as a Profession and Intro to Education classes she is able to teach students techniques and strategies
to become successful. She also gets to collaborate with many teachers in the
Plattsmouth Community Schools system who allow future teachers to come into their
classroom and learn from them.
Mrs. Olsen thoroughly enjoys being a teacher and considers it her life mission. In addition
to her teaching duties, she is always volunteering to keep score for sporting events and
encouraging students in whatever activity they are pursuing at PHS. She brings joy and
positivity to the halls at PHS. Mrs. Olsen has two children that have both graduated from
Plattsmouth Community Schools. "I'm very grateful for the education both of my
children received and all of the great teachers who invested in their lives." Mrs. Olsen
strives to be that kind of teacher for all of students in her classes.
Congratulations to Mrs. Olsen on this well-deserved honor.