NELIGH — When Dexter Hanzel and most of the Neligh-Oakdale Public Schools community entered the high school gym on Tuesday, they expected to attend an assembly celebrating the district’s curriculum advancements.
However, as the assembly unfolded and education officials applauded the district’s achievements, the attention suddenly shifted to one of Neligh-Oakdale’s own.
Hanzel, a science and math teacher for grades 8-12, was named Nebraska’s sole recipient of the Milken Educator Award, which comes with a $25,000 prize. Dubbed the “Oscar of teaching,” a select group of educators across the U.S. receive the award from the Milken Family Foundation each year.
“Well, I did not expect this, but it’s a great day to be a Warrior,” Hanzel said. “This is honoring me, but truly this is an award for you guys, my students. … This is truly an award for our school.”
The honor, kept secret until the ceremony, is typically awarded to early to mid-career educators for their notable achievements in the classroom. Teachers cannot apply for the award; instead, they are chosen by the foundation.
Hanzel, who graduated from Wayne State College in 2016, is in his fifth year of teaching at Neligh-Oakdale. Before that, he taught at Battle Creek Public Schools.
His focus on collaboration and hands-on learning beyond memorization was a key factor in his selection for the award, according to the foundation.
It noted Hanzel’s students’ collaboration with the Neligh Economic Development Council to create a promotional video for the city, featuring voiceovers and drone footage, with Hanzel teaching them how to operate the drones.
“His classroom is a hub of exciting hands-on activities and experiments, collaborative group projects and community-connected, real-life learning,” the Milken Family Foundation said in a press release. “Other projects include calculating the slope of the school’s steps; building bridges, ramps, and towers; and designing containers to protect fragile eggs from an elevated drop.”
Hanzel also plays a role in his school’s student success team, working with colleagues on intervention strategies to enhance student achievement. He serves on two district committees focused on improving instruction and support systems, mentors new staff and has helped implement a new districtwide math curriculum.
Hanzel teaches eighth and ninth grade science, 10th grade geometry and 11th grade Algebra II. In his acceptance speech, he expressed gratitude to his colleagues and the leaders in attendance, including Gov. Jim Pillen and members of the Neligh-Oakdale school board.
“I want to thank (Neligh-Oakdale superintendent Ron) Beacom for hiring me five years ago,” Hanzel said. “Even though teaching science was a very anxious moment in my life, making that decision was one of the best decisions of my life.”
He previously led a math readiness program with Northeast Community College and is now working to establish a STEM and robotics club in the district.
Beyond the classroom, Hanzel serves as the boys golf coach, an assistant football coach and coordinator of the summer weights program. He also offers additional academic support to students, has assisted the summer custodial staff and volunteers with the local TeamMates Mentoring Program chapter.
“Dexter’s commitment to his school and to his students is evident in all of the extra things he chooses to do above and beyond his normal duties as a teacher,” said Brian Maher, state education commissioner. “We are thrilled to see him recognized with this award and so happy that his story will be shared as an example of the excellent educators we have in Nebraska.”
Hanzel is the first Milken Award recipient from Neligh-Oakdale Public Schools and the 49th in Nebraska. Along with the cash prize, he will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the Milken Educator Awards Forum in Los Angeles and mentorship from past award recipients.
Hanzel said his decision to pursue teaching was deeply influenced by the educators in his life, including his aunts, who also attended Wayne State, and his coaches from Humphrey Public Schools.
“It’s important (to recognize teachers) because there’s a lot of educators out there and we need more, we’re kind of short on them right now,” Hanzel said. “It’s a great career to have. There’s some days that are tough, but overall it’s a fulfilling job and a fulfilling career to be in.”