Nebraska Milken Educators

2023 Nebraska Milken Educator

Picture of Jacob Eitzen
Jacob Eitzen (Mathematics (Grades 11,12))
At the time of the award: Bellevue West High School in Bellevue, Ne

Contact Information:

Bellevue West High School
1501 Thurston Ave
Bellevue, NE 68123
(402) 293-4040
Email:  jacob.eitzen@bpsne.net

Photo courtesy of the Milken Family Foundation.

News Release

Picture of Leslie McIntosh
Leslie McIntosh (Reading, English/Language Arts (Grade 5))
At the time of the award: Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca Middle School in Syracuse Ne

Contact Information:

SDA Middle School
1500 Education Dr.
Syracuse, NE 68446
(402) 269-2381
Email:  lmcintosh@sdarockets.org

Photo courtesy of the Milken Family Foundation.

News Release

2022 Nebraska Milken Educator

Picture of Lisa Moody
Lisa Moody (Special Education)
At the time of the award: Jefferson Elementary School in Omaha, Ne

Contact Information:

Jefferson Elementary School
4065 Vinton St.
Omaha, NE 68105
(531) 299-1640
Email:  Lisa.moody@ops.org

Photo courtesy of the Milken Family Foundation.

News Release

2021 Nebraska Milken Educator

Picture of Michelle Fouts
Michelle Fouts (Second Grade)
At the time of the award: Bryant Elementary School in Kearney, NE

Contact Information:

Bryant Elementary School
1611 Avenue C
Kearney, NE 68857
(308) 698-8190
Email:  micfouts@kearneycats.com

Photo courtesy of the Milken Family Foundation.

News Release

Picture of Katie Mace
Katie Mace (English, Speech Teacher (Grades 7-12))
At the time of the award: Lyons-Decatur Northeast Schools

Contact Information:

Lyons-Decatur Northeast Schools
400 South 5th
Lyons, NE 68038
(402) 687-2363
Email:  kmace@lyonsdecaturschools.org

Photo courtesy of the Milken Family Foundation.

News Release

2020 Nebraska Milken Educator

No Recipient

2019 Nebraska Milken Educator

Picture of Lyndsay Hartmann
Lyndsay Hartmann (Reading / English / Language Arts / Science Teacher (Grades 6-8))
St. Patrick Catholic School (Lincoln)

Contact Information:
St. Patrick Catholic School
4142 N 61st Street
Lincoln, NE 68507
(402) 466-3710
Email:  lyndsay-hartmann@cdolinc.net

Photo courtesy of the Milken Family Foundation.
Spotlight Interview, courtesy of the Milken Family Foundation

2018 Nebraska Milken Educator

Picture of Rebecca Streff
Rebecca Streff (Fifth Grade Teacher)
North Bend Central Elementary School (North Bend)

Contact Information:
North Bend Central Elementary School
P.O. Box 160
North Bend, NE 68649
(402) 652-8122
Email: bstreff@nbtigers.org

Photo courtesy of the Milken Family Foundation.

Connections Article, April 2, 2020:  COVID-19 Diaries:  A Teacher’s Tips for Parents

2017 Nebraska Milken Educator

Picture of Jon Pickinpaugh
Jon Pickinpaugh (Science Teacher - 8th Grade)
South Sioux City Middle School

Contact Information:
Umonhon Nation Public Schools
470 Main Street
Macy, NE 68039
(402) 837-5622
Email:  jpickinpaugh@unpsk-12.org

Photo courtesy of the Milken Family Foundation.

2016 Nebraska Milken Educator

No Recipient

2014 Nebraska Milken Educator

No Recipient

2013 Nebraska Milken Educator

Picture of Kevin Witte
Kevin Witte (Social Studies Teacher (Grades 9-12))
Kearney High School (Kearney)

Contact Information:
Kearney High School
3610 6th Avenue
Kearney, NE 68845
(308) 698-8060
Email: kevin.witte@kearneypublic.org

2012 Nebraska Milken Educator

Picture of Tammera Mittelstet
Tammera Mittelstet (Fourth Grade Teacher)
Highland Park Elementary (Stillwater, OK)

(Oklahoma recipient, now located in Nebraska)

Contact Information:
Email: tmittelstet2@unl.edu

Picture of Sara Robinson
Sara Robinson (Fourth Grade Teacher)
C. Ray Gates Elementary School (Grand Island)

Contact Information:
C. Ray Gates Elementary School, Fourth Grade Teacher
2700 W. Louise Street
Grand Island, NE 68803
(308) 385-5892
Email: srobinso@gips.org

2011 Nebraska Milken Educator

No Recipient

2010 Nebraska Milken Educator

Picture of Garret Higginbotham
Garret Higginbotham (Fifth Grade Teacher)
Underwood Hills Focus School (Omaha)

Contact Information:
Oakdale Elementary School, Fifth Grade Teacher
9801 West Center Road
Omaha, NE 68124
(402) 408-8887

Email: higginbotham.garret@westside66.net

2009 Nebraska Milken Educator

Picture of Ryan Mahoney
Ryan Mahoney (Social Studies Teacher (Grades 9, 11-12))
Southwest High School (Lincoln)

Contact Information:
7835 Tropp Ridge Drive
Lincoln, NE 68512

(402) 560-7295
Email:mahoney@hastings.edu

2008 Nebraska Milken Educator

Picture of Crystal L. Simpson
Crystal L. Simpson (Instructional Facilitator (Grades K-5, Deceased))
Fontenelle Elementary School (Omaha)

2007 Nebraska Milken Educator

Picture of Emily Hughes (formerly known as Emily Olesen)
Emily Hughes (formerly known as Emily Olesen) (Science Teacher (Grades 6-8))
R.M. Marrs Magnet Center (Omaha)

Contact Information:
Gomez Heritage Elementary School, Assistant Principal

2612 South 16th Street
Council Bluffs, IA
51501-7568
(402) 210-8977
Email:emily.hughes@ops.org

2006 Nebraska Milken Educator

Picture of Angela L. Wright (formerly known as Angela L. Deck)
Angela L. Wright (formerly known as Angela L. Deck) (Fourth Grade Teacher)
Spring Ridge Elementary School (Omaha)

Contact Information:
Elkhorn Public Schools, Director of Instruction and Learning
20650 Glenn Street
Omaha, NE 68022
(402) 289-2579
Email:awright@epsne.org

2005 Nebraska Milken Educator

Picture of Jon Heithold
Jon Heithold (Computer Aided Design, Furniture Design and Construction Teacher (Grades 9-12))
East High School (Lincoln)

Contact Information:
6101 W. Yankee Lake Road
Denton, NE 68339
(402) 525-8953
Email:jheitho@lps.org

2004 Nebraska Milken Educator

Picture of Mark A. Johnson
Mark A. Johnson (Fifth Grade Teacher)
Windy Hills Elementary School (Kearney)

Contact Information:
Bryant Elementary School, Principal
1611 Avenue C
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 698-8190
Email:mark.johnson@kearneypublic.org

Picture of Tony Vincent
Tony Vincent (Technology Teacher/Facilitator (Grades K-5))
Willowdale Elementary School (Omaha)

Contact Information:
Tony Vincent, Inc., Learning and Technology Consultant

11003 W. Pierson Street
Phoenix, AZ 85037
(623) 565-8585

Email:tony@tonyvincent.net

2003 Nebraska Milken Educator

Picture of Teresa Fischer
Teresa Fischer (English/Language, Drama/Theater Teacher (Grades 9-12))
Westside High School (Omaha)

Contact Information:
Avenue Scholars, Career Advisor
7101 Mercy Road, #240
Omaha, NE 68106

(402) 916-9777
Email:dramafish@live.com

Picture of Linda Sarver
Linda Sarver

(Missouri recipient, now located in Nebraska)

Contact Information:
422 S. 10th Street
Plattsmouth, NE 68048
(660) 425-2547
Email: klsarver52@gmail.com

Photo courtesy of Linsda Sarver.

Picture of Jami Jo Thompson
Jami Jo Thompson (Resource Teacher/Special Education Coordinator (Grade 8))
Beatrice Middle School (Beatrice)

Contact Information:
Beatrice Public Schools, Director of Student Programs
320 North 5th Street
Beatrice, NE 68310
(402) 223-1512
Email:jamijothompson@npsne.org

2002 Nebraska Milken Educator

Picture of Jon Frey
Jon Frey (Debate and Social Studies Teacher (Grades 9-12))
Aberdeen Central High School (Aberdeen, SD)

(South Dakota recipient, now located in Nebraska)

Contact Information:
Columbus High School, Assistant Principal
2200 26th Street
Columbus, NE 68601
(402) 563-7050
Email:freyj@discoverers.org

Picture of Mary M. Reding
Mary M. Reding (Sixth Grade Teacher)
Central Elementary School (Bellevue)

Contact Information:
Central Elementary School, Sixth Grade Teacher
510 W. 22nd Avenue
Bellevue, NE 68005

(402) 293-4685
Email:maryreding@yahoo.com

Picture of Kael Sagheer
Kael Sagheer (Fifth Grade Teacher)
Willa Cather Elementary School (Omaha)

Contact Information:
20829 U Circle
Elkhorn, NE 68022
(402) 884-0487
Email:sagheerkael@gmail.com

2001 Nebraska Milken Educator

Picture of Heather Harbison
Heather Harbison (Mathematics Teacher/Coordinator (Grades 7-8))
Western Hills Magnet Center (Omaha)

Contact Information:
Western Hills Magnet Center, Principal
6523 Western Avenue
Omaha, NE 68132
(402) 554-1510
Email:heather.harbison@ops.org

Picture of Janelle E. Stansberry
Janelle E. Stansberry (Business/Office, Computer Science Teacher (Grades 7-12))
Cedar Bluffs High School (Cedar Bluffs)

Contact Information:
1028 Dakota Street
Fremont, NE 68024

(402) 727-4300
Email: jstansbe@esu2.org

2000 Nebraska Milken Educator

Picture of Ann T. Catania
Ann T. Catania (Second Grade Teacher)
Prairie Wind Elementary School (Omaha)

Contact Information:
6612 South 72nd Avenue
Omaha, NE 68127
(402) 593-9924
Email:ann.catania@ops.org

Picture of Laura L. Croom
Laura L. Croom (First Grade Teacher)
Carl A Swanson Elementary School (Omaha)

Contact Information:

5529 North 151st Street

Omaha, NE 68116
(402) 740-4074
Email:lcroom@westside66.org

Picture of Carolyn Escamilla
Carolyn Escamilla (Fourth Grade Teacher)
Roosevelt Elementary School (Scottsbluff)

Contact Information:
Bluffs Middle School, Seventh Grade Social Studies and Reading Teacher 
23rd and Broadway
Scottsbluff, NE 69361

(308) 635-6270
Email:cescamilla@sbps.net

1999 Nebraska Milken Educator

Picture of Kris Schneider (formerly known as Kris Burling)
Kris Schneider (formerly known as Kris Burling) (Biology/Life Science Teacher (Grade 7))
Horizon Middle School (Kearney)

Contact Information:
Grand Island Public Schools, Director, English Language Acquisition and Migrant Programs
123 South Webb Road
Grand Island, NE 68803
(308) 385-5900
Email:mschneider@gips.org

Picture of Dr. Ted Larson
Dr. Ted Larson (Social Studies Teacher (Grades 11-12))
Southeast High School (Lincoln)

Contact Information:
Nebraska Department of Education, NAEP State Coordinator
(402) 617-1064

Email: tedlarson@windstream.net

Picture of Beverly McKillip
Beverly McKillip (Biology/Life Science Teacher (Grades 10-12, Retired))
Pender High School (Pender)

Contact Information:
1702 Homewood Drive
Norfolk, NE 68701
(402) 379-8454

Email: bmckillip@telebeep.com

1998 Nebraska Milken Educator

Picture of Jean LaGrone
Jean LaGrone (Second Grade Teacher (Retired))
Westgate Elementary School (Omaha)

Contact Information:
Email:jlagrone@cox.net

Picture of Julie Martin
Julie Martin (Principal)
Seedling Mile Elementary School (Grand Island)

Contact Information:
C. Ray Gates Elementary School, Principal
2700 W. Louise Street
Grand Island, NE 68803

(308) 385-5892
Email:jmartin@gips.org

Picture of Audrey Samuelson
Audrey Samuelson (Kindergarten Teacher)
York Elementary School (York)

Contact Information:
York Elementary School, Kindergarten Teacher
1501 Washington Avenue
York, NE 68467

(402) 362-1414, Ext. 153
Email:audrey.samuelson@yorkdukes.org

Picture of Dr. Robert Ziegler
Dr. Robert Ziegler (Principal (Deceased))
Roosevelt Elementary School (Scottsbluff)

1997 Nebraska Milken Educator

Picture of Jane Edwards
Jane Edwards (Industrial Arts, Computer Science Teacher (Grades 10-12))
Southeast High School (Lincoln)

Contact Information:
Email:jedwards@lps.org

Picture of Roger Groth
Roger Groth (Music, Band Teacher (Grades 9-12, Retired))
Westside High School (Omaha)

Contact Information:
Email:rlgroth@cox.net

Picture of Roger Kassebaum
Roger Kassebaum (Physics Teacher (Grades 11-12))
Millard North High School (Omaha)

Contact Information:
Milken Community High School, Director of Mitchell Academy of Science and Technology, Science Research Teacher, FRC Robotics Coach
15800 Mulholland Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90049

(31) 440-3500, Ext. 3316
Email:  roger@exseedu.com or roger@foundersbootcamp.org

Picture of Robert Whitehouse
Robert Whitehouse (Principal (Retired))
William Jennings Bryan High School (Omaha)

Contact Information:
Email: bob.whitehouse@cox.net

1996 Nebraska Milken Educator

Picture of Gloria Best
Gloria Best (Social Studies Teacher (Grades 8-9))
Dawes Middle School (Lincoln)

Contact Information:
7921 Forbes Court
Lincoln, NE 68516
(402) 770-3338
Email:gbest@lps.org

Picture of Dr. James Findley
Dr. James Findley (Principal (Retired))
Westside High School (Omaha)

Contact Information:
3110 South 104th Street
Omaha, NE 68124
(402) 397-6990

Email:jfindley@cox.net

Picture of Denise Golden
Denise Golden (Fifth Grade Teacher)
Seward Elementary School (Seward)

Contact Information:
Lakeview Elementary, Fifth Grade Teacher
3360 Woodshire Parkway

Lincoln, NE
68502
(402) 309-6172
Email:dgolden@lps.org

Picture of Ida Lynn Cowart (formerly known as Lynn Kaufman)
Ida Lynn Cowart (formerly known as Lynn Kaufman) (Second Grade Teacher (Retired))
Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary School (Omaha)

Contact Information:
Email:idacowart@comcast.net

Picture of James Kubik
James Kubik (Social Studies Teacher (Grade 12, Retired))
Norfolk Senior High School (Norfolk)

Contact Information:
14638 Hartman Avenue
Omaha, NE 68116
(402) 750-7669
Email: jimkubik69@gmail.com

Picture of Dr. Kenton Mann
Dr. Kenton Mann (Principal)
Grand Island Senior High School (Grand Island)

Contact Information:
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Associate Professor of Practice
126 Teachers College Hall
P.O. Box 880360
Lincoln, NE 68588-0360

(402) 472-3459
Email:kmann2@unl.edu

Picture of Susan McNeil
Susan McNeil (Social Studies Teacher (Grades 7-12, Retired))
Loup County High School (Taylor)

Contact Information:
44933 Long Valley Road
Taylor, NE 68879
(308) 942-6285 
Email:smcneil53@gmail.com

Picture of Dr. Woody Ziegler
Dr. Woody Ziegler (Principal)
York Elementary School (York)

Contact Information:
Learning For The Future, Director
2206 Road 20
Waco, NE 68460
(402) 362-8663
Email:Woody@L4TF.com