(Le Mars) — Gehlen Catholic is fortunate again to have another faculty member selected to be honored with the “Excellence In Education” award, and to have that individual recognized at the upcoming Bishop’s Dinner later this autumn. This time, the chosen teacher is Gehlen Catholic’s instrumental music instructor, Paul Niebuhr. Niebuhr was informed of his selection
following the Mass services held Wednesday morning. Niebhur has been the band teacher for 22 years at Gehlen Catholic. Prior to teaching at Gehlen, Niebuhr taught at Ida Grove and Sutherland. Niebuhr says the honor was unexpected, and he admits to being humbled for being recognized.
Niebuhr says he enjoys teaching instrumental music to Gehlen students, and he says his education philosophy is to always provide assistance to the students.
The Gehlen band teacher says he even enjoys hearing the sounds made by a 5th grade student that is just learning how to play an instrument.
Niebuhr has for many years taken the Gehlen Catholic band to various bowl games for national performances. Those trips have been to San Antonio, Texas; Memphis, Tennessee; and Orlando, Florida. He says there is nothing else that compares to the thrill of excitement and charged energy that you can get when a band performs before a filled stadium.
Niebuhr will be formally recognized during the annual Bishop’s Dinner as part of the Sioux City Diocese.
