St. Peter School teacher to receive St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award
Southern Nebraska Register
For nearly three decades, James Benes has helped students at St. Peter School in Lincoln grow in knowledge, strengthen their faith, and understand their responsibility to carry Christ into the world.
Benes, who teaches social studies to students in sixth through eighth grades and religion to eighth-grade students, will receive the Diocese of Lincoln’s 2026 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award for Elementary Educator of the Year.
“This is my 29th year starting, and my day-to-day is never the same,” Benes said. “And that’s one thing I can’t complain about: I’m never bored in junior high!”
Benes was hired at St. Peter in 1998 and spent his first seven years as a sixth-grade homeroom teacher. When another teacher relocated, he had the opportunity to draw upon his history degree and begin teaching social studies. His daily responsibilities include preparing lessons, readings, answering messages, prepping quizzes and tests, but the most rewarding part of his work is building relationships with students and their families.
“I love what I do,” Benes said. “I say I’m very blessed, just getting to know the kids, my colleagues, and, of course, the families too. And being part of a parish community, that is just one of the great charms of being [in] Catholic education.”
Benes grew up in a farm community near Valparaiso as one of six siblings. Faith was foundational to his family life.
Benes was an active altar server and participated in high school CCD at Ss. Mary and Joseph Church. Although he attended public school (Raymond Central High School), his interest in history – and eventually teaching – began in the classroom.
“I had some history teachers that would challenge me, and I used to do a lot of reading and was one of those kids who raised their hands a lot in the history classes,” he said.
Classmates also began approaching him when they needed help understanding the material.
“My freshman year, I kind of started getting a little bit of a teaching bug, but by the time [of] my senior year, I knew I wanted to be a teacher,” Benes said.
He attended Concordia University in Seward, where conversations with his Lutheran classmates encouraged him to examine and more deeply embrace his Catholic faith.
“My Lutheran friends really showed me and reminded me what zeal is,” he said. “I fell back in love with my Catholic faith – being a cradle Catholic – because of the sacraments and the Eucharist. And because, of course, in college, you’re always looking for truth. I had it all along.”
After college, Benes applied to several schools. St. Peter was the first to offer him a position.
“I just knew when Sister Mary Michael gave the school tour that, hey, this is going to be a great school to begin my teaching career, and I’m going to start off here and see what happens,” he said. “And so, 29 years later, I’m very blessed.”
For Benes, teaching in a Catholic school is more than a profession. It is an opportunity to help students recognize their mission as Catholics and prepare them to live their faith beyond the classroom.
“As Catholics, we’re called to permeate society,” he said. “Since we’re blessed with the truth, we’re called to live it.
“Teaching at a Catholic school [helps] remind our students that this is our mission, what Jesus expects of us,” he continued. “You have a teaching job, but at the same time, it’s much more. I am also very blessed to acolyte for daily Mass and contribute to the parish through the Knights of Columbus.”
Benes said teaching can be both rewarding and humbling. One day, a teacher may feel like everything is going well; the next can bring an unexpected challenge. He draws encouragement from the example of Jesus teaching his apostles.
Some of his favorite moments occur when students begin to understand material that once seemed difficult or uninteresting.
“I think any teacher would say [it’s] when the student who wasn’t interested... starts raising their hand to participate, and you’re thinking, oh, wow, this person’s getting it,” he said. “The one who wasn’t interested [is] all of a sudden just trying harder and improving grades.”
Other meaningful moments happen outside the classroom: on field trips, on the playground, students arriving to and leaving class, at Mass or during eucharistic adoration.
Benes considers it a particular achievement when he encounters former students who remain active in their faith.
“The greatest achievement, I would say, is when I go into the community or go to Mass or a parish function, or you run into a former student, and see them with their families, and you talk with them and they say, ‘I go to St. So-an-so Catholic Church’,” he said.
Seeing former students involved in their parishes assures him that Catholic educators and parents have accomplished something meaningful together.
As a parent, Benes has also witnessed the value of Catholic education. His oldest son attended Pius X High School, and his younger twin boys are currently in the eighth grade at St. Peter.
To parents considering Catholic education for their children, his advice is straightforward.
“Go with it. It’s worth it,” Benes said. “You want truth, you want morals, values – and think [of] the grace through the sacraments. Catholic education is a great experience. I recommend it.”
Benes also encourages new Catholic educators to nurture their own faith and give themselves time to grow into their vocation. He recalled advice from a college adviser who encouraged new teachers to give education at least three years before considering a career change. Benes now passes along that advice, reminding new teachers not to take on everything at once.
“Be faithful your first year. Take it a day at a time,” he said. “But there’s always going to be days where you feel like you’re the great teacher that God intends you [to be] as well.”
Receiving an award named for St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is particularly meaningful to Benes because of her faith, perseverance, and foundational role in Catholic education.
“The award is very humbling too, especially with all the awesome teachers in our Lincoln diocese and in my school, and to receive it,” he said.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s example reminds Benes to meet the inevitable challenges of education with faith and trust.
“Just always offer up an intention, and trust in God and do what you can,” he said. “And it’s also great, the support, [from] people who are on your same mission in the school.”
Benes expressed gratitude to his wife, their sons, and the family members, pastors, parents, fellow parishioners, Knights of Columbus, principals and colleagues who have supported him throughout his career.
“Teaching at a Catholic school, you get that sense of family too, kind of like siblings,” he said. “Sometimes there are moments where we have disagreements, but we all love each other. We’re all on the same mission as well, to help our school and to help each other grow closer to Our Lord. My teaching colleagues are such a great group!”
He also thanked his students, both past and present, for their effort, faithfulness and the inspiration they have provided.
“To all my students, past students as well, who’ve worked hard for me and just gave it their all,” Benes said. “It’s been an inspiration for me, and reminds me how our faithful youth keep it going.”
