Student Nomination Story

She has taught me so much about business and about life skills that are actually needed. She makes sure that we are on track with our business but makes sure its fun. She has showed me that you can do anything you put your mind to and that you make your own decisions. Also, she has encouraged us to not let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do. CEO is a great class because it teaches you about all things business. We learn about starting your own business or doing group business with your class. It teaches you about life skills and about the business world, which I love!

Marilyn Mcgill

I started my business class very excited and very overwhelmed. Britta has spent the last two years pushing me to be my best and helping me find answers to problems. She has helped me start two businesses, both of which are still operational today. I struggle with doubt. Like why would people come to me for riding lessons? Why would they ask my opinion? She has always asked good questions about myself that I am forced to answer. One conversation I remember, I was telling britta about a student I was teaching that had been riding as long as I had and this girl wanted to learn to jump. I felt very self conscious teaching her and I frequently doubted what I was telling her. She asked me what I was paid to do and I said teach. She continued to ask questions that I had to answer and it helped me realize, that if they don't like the way I am teaching, they can leave. I have to have confidence in my knowledge. On another occasion, I was and still am struggling with what I am "going to do when I grow up." I said so to britta, and she asked me what I wanted to do. I replied, " train horses" she said, "there you go. You have to give it a shot while you can. You may not have the time or circumstances to do it when you are older, do it now, see if you like it. If you don't, try something else. And when you are older, you will have the satisfaction of at least knowing you tried. " She is always there when I have questions, need help, need a letter of recommendation, or just need to chat. Even over the summer she makes an effort to stay in contact and ask what I am up to. She is the kind of teacher and mentor I wish everyone could have.

Ruthie Ruhl

I met Britta in August, 2020. This was the beginning of my Senior year of high school. I met her when my internship fell through due to COVID and she was helping me find a new class to take. She introduced me to the Land of Lincoln CEO class. This class was started by Craig Lindvahl for students to be introduced to business in our communities in hopes to continue entrepreneurial mindsets in younger generations. This is a professional entrepreneurial class for juniors and seniors of high school. Every weekday from 6:45 am to 8:30pm we meet at a business (sometimes breakfast places or parks) in professional clothing for class. We create 3 businesses in the class. One small business, one big business, and one individual business. May I inform you that I am nor a morning person or somebody who enjoys dressing up. I am also one of the furthest people from being professional. It is a complete Miracle that Britta convinced me to partake in the class. When Britta was talking to me about the class I just felt like it was a class I should take. Britta got me papers to apply to the class, I got accepted, then I started in just a few days. Britta is really good at turning what could be a bad situation into something good. That is exactly what she did in that scenario. Britta is basically everybody in my class’ second mom. She just gives off a motherly vibe that just makes you want her in your life as role model or just somebody to help keep your head on straight. Britta pushes me to do my best not just in class but outside of it. Britta has helped not only me but everybody in my CEO class find ways to enjoy our senior year. She helps us look and find the positives not the negatives of this crazy year. Britta is not only my CEO teacher but my personal finance teacher and internship coordinator. I wanted so badly to do an internship my Senior year and Britta knew this and also wanted it badly for me. Therefore, she worked so hard for multiple months to find me an internship. One day she finally came to me SO excited that she had found an internship for me. We were basically jumping for joy in her tiny school office (more like closet). This internship was with our school resource officer and our local police department. This internship has truly been a blessing for me. I have no words for how grateful I am for Britta and finding this internship for me. This internship is the best thing to come out of my Senior year for me and I can never thank Britta enough for working so hard to set it i up for me. This internship is helping me take a big step into my future and prepare me for the path I am going to take. I used to be terrified of my future. If you had asked me before I turned 18 that I would be prepared for graduating high school and moving on I would say you were lying. Britta has helped me be prepared for my future and not be scared of it. She has taught me so many things I need to know for my future and has provided me so many great opportunities to learn about my personal future. Every time I walk in the door to talk with her I learn a life lesson. I can never thank Britta enough for making this COVID Senior year a GREAT year, all of the life lessons I will forever carry with me, and for everything she has done for me these past few months. She has really made a significant impact on my life and I literally do not know how mentally well I would be or how prepared I would be for my future without her. Britta deserves this award because she isn’t just a teacher. She is somebody who teaches you, no matter who you are, not only how to find your own path without doing it for you, but pushes you to take the path not just stand there and watch it. All the words in the world cannot thank her enough for everything she has done for me and cannot recommend her enough for this award.

Brianna Morrow

Britta teaches Land of Lincoln CEO. It’s a class that teaches you how to be an entrepreneur. She goes above and beyond to help us learn what we need to become an entrepreneur. We go on visits everyday to businesses to learn their story on how they became a business owner. She is contacting people everyday for us. She is nonstop doing stuff for us. It doesn’t matter what time it is in the day, she is always helping us. I cannot thank her enough for what she has taught me in a year. I’ve learned so much in one year because of her. Thank you so much.

Hattie Langley

To see more exceptional teacher nominees, visit The Honor Roll.