The Certificate of Merit recognizes teachers across the nation for their achievements in furthering the teaching of German.

Christianson has taught German in Boerne ISD schools 10 years. From 2010 to 2013, she took a break from teaching while she served on the Boerne ISD Board of Trustees. Christianson currently teachers 90 students in five different German classes at Boerne High School. 

The AATG annual convention, held in Boston, November 18-20, recognized a total of 21 teachers and four German programs for contributions to teaching the German language.