For Jennifer Brenner, Christian education has always been about more than academics.

“I’ve always felt this steady, quiet invitation from God to steward a sacred space for students where the head and the heart are never separated,” Brenner shared in her application to the Herzog Foundation.

That philosophy, lived out daily through her teaching, relationships, and commitment to student formation, recently earned Brenner national recognition as one of 12 educators selected for the Herzog Foundation’s 2026 Innovative Christian Teachers of the Year award.

The Herzog Foundation honors Christian educators from across the country who demonstrate excellence in the classroom while faithfully integrating a Christ-centered worldview into their teaching. Brenner’s selection reflects not only her dedication to academic excellence but also the Christ-centered care and encouragement she brings to the Orange Lutheran community each day.

At Orange Lutheran, teachers are called to do more than instruct. They are called to mentor, disciple, and walk alongside students during some of the most formative years of their lives. Her classroom invites students into meaningful conversations that connect academic rigor with spiritual formation, encouraging them to wrestle thoughtfully with how faith shapes their engagement with the world.

“In my Honors Sociology class, rather than treating faith as an ‘add-on,’ we apply a biblical worldview to peel back the layers of social structures, revealing how they either align with or fall short of God’s nature and His moral order,” Brenner wrote in her application materials.

OLu Social Studies Department Chair, Lindsay Charity, described Jennifer as “a living testimony of what it means to teach with both intellectual excellence and Christ-centered purpose.” Charity emphasized, “perhaps most remarkable is Mrs. Brenner’s heart for her students. She embodies a truly student-first mentality; patient, kind, and deeply invested in their well-being. Her grace, generosity, and servant leadership reflect Christ in tangible ways that leave a lasting impact on those she teaches.”

Charity further highlighted Brenner’s ability to create meaningful learning experiences that connect academic rigor with spiritual formation, encouraging students to think critically through the lens of Scripture. Through immersive criminology simulations exploring justice and mercy, collaborative discussions centered on biblical truth, and projects challenging students to design Christ-centered schools from the ground up, Brenner’s classroom encourages students to lead faithfully while engaging thoughtfully with the world around them.

Brenner’s impact extends well beyond the classroom. Those who know her best describe a teacher who leads with compassion, prayer, encouragement, and an intentional investment in students’ lives.

“Students feel seen, valued, and known academically and spiritually,” said Rev. Tim Detviler, OLu’s Campus Pastor. He described Brenner as someone who views teaching not simply as a profession, but as a calling rooted in service to Christ and others.

For Brenner, that calling remains at the heart of Christian education.

“There is no greater joy than witnessing the beautiful, often messy work of heart transformation with my students,” she wrote. “It is my hope that they are equipped to step out as salt and light, bold disciples that this generation so desperately needs.”

As Orange Lutheran continues its mission of helping students internalize the Gospel message of salvation in Christ Jesus while preparing them for lives of purpose and service, Brenner’s recognition serves as a meaningful example of faithful Christian education lived out each day.

To read the Herzog Foundation’s full announcement recognizing the 2026 Christian Teachers of the Year, visit the Herzog Foundation press release.