Northeast Nebraska high school teacher honored with the ‘Oscar of Teaching’

WAYNE, Neb. (KTIV) - A Siouxland educator was recognized for his dedication and unique learning style when he was given the Milken Educator Award.

On Tuesday, Feb. 11, Dexter Hanzel, a math and science teacher from Neligh-Oakdale Junior and Senior High School was awarded the $25,000 award.

Hanzel, originally from Platte Center, Nebraska, and a 2016 Wayne State College graduate, is now pursuing a master’s degree at WSC. This is the second time, since Jon Pickinpaugh in 2018, that a Wayne State College Graduate received the award.

According to Wayne State College, the award is hailed the “Oscar of Teaching” and is hailed an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize which the recipient may use however they like.

Other benefits include:

• Receiving mentorship opportunities to expand their leadership and strengthen education and its policy. Educator recipients are partnered with a veteran Milken Education member to promote collaboration around a certain topic area and across the states to bring solutions to specific educational needs.
• The opportunity to attend an all-expenses paid Milken Educators Award Forum in Los Angeles in April 2025. At the forum in April, members will network with their colleagues and veteran members to learn how to broaden their impact on the K-12 education system.
• Veteran members of Milken Educators have the opportunity to demonstrate leadership in a wide range of levels including state, national and international.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen and State Commissioner of Education, Dr. Brian Maher joined Milken Education Vice President and the first recipient of the Milken Educator Award winner in the district’s history, Jennifer Fuller to recognize Hanzel.

“Today we celebrate Dexter Hanzel for his immense commitment to excellence in education and ability to create powerful, creative learning opportunities for students,” said Fuller. “Dexter’s leadership and positive influence are changing the lives of his students, supporting his colleagues, strengthening his community, and elevating education in Nebraska.”

Hanzel is Nebraska’s 49th honoree and was awarded the award as a part of the Milken Family Foundation’s 2024-2025 awards season which will honor about 45 pioneering educators from coast to coast while marking the 3,000 Milken Educator in the award’s ranks.

Wayne State College says Hanzel’s dedication to his students, colleagues, and overall community plays a significant role in the academic, professional, and personal growth of those around him.

“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 Commissioner Maher. “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.”

The college also says Hanzel’s teaching techniques with students in grades eight through twelve go beyond taking notes and memorizing facts and figures, but his classroom is a hub for exciting hands-on activities, collaborating group projects and community-connected, real-life learning.

“Hanzel’s students partnered with the Neligh Economic Development Council to create a promotional video and presentation for the City of Neligh, complete with voiceovers and footage from drones, which Hanzel taught them how to operate,” stated the college.

They also say other projects taught by Hanzel include calculating the slope of the school’s steps, building bridges, ramps, and towers as well as designing containers to protect fragile eggs from an elevated drop.

Want to get the latest news and weather from Siouxland’s News Source? Follow these links to download our KTIV News app and our First Alert Weather app.