Jann Treadwell, a Presbyterian Christian educator who has served in Grace Presbytery for more than 20 years, has been named 2010’s Educator of the Year by the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE).
The Dallas native will receive the award during APCE’s annual event, Jan. 27-30 in Nashville, Tenn.
Unlike typical Christian educators, Treadwell has no recollection of church school, never attended a vacation Bible school and shied away from church youth groups, according to an APCE press release announcing the honor.
“She feels such limitations are nothing for the God who called her into educational ministry,” the release states, “and views herself as a poster child for late bloomers.”
After graduation from the University of Texas, Jann married John Treadwell, a fourth generation Presbyterian. Following his stint in the navy, they joined Ridgeview Presbyterian Church in Dallas and she began to learn bible stories by teaching fifth and sixth grade church school followed by years of volunteering in other areas of education.
Upon the recommendations of her family and pastor, Treadwell entered Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University at age 41, earning a Master of Religious Education degree in 1988.
She served Ridgeway Church for six years as director of Christian education for all ages and she soon completed the certification process. For the last 16 years she has served at NorthPark Presbyterian Church in Dallas as educator for youth and adults.
Treadwell has served the larger church through various committees in Grace Presbytery, on the PC(USA)’s Educator Certification Council and as a certification advisor. She was a commissioner to the 211th General Assembly (1999), where she served as an assembly committee moderator, and at the 2008 Assembly was the overture advocate for adolescent human development resources. She has written extensively for Presbyterian publications.