College of Education Alumni Honored with Education Awards

Alice Buffett Outstanding Teachers

Five alumni of the College of Education were recipients of 2019 Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Awards. The award is given annually to 15 Omaha Public Schools (OPS) teachers who demonstrate exceptional dedication to their students and classrooms.

Jennifer Bailey
BS '00, MS '02
Kindergarten teacher at Indian Hill Elementary
17 years with OPS

Kelli Baker
BS '02
First-grade teacher at Standing Bear Elementary
17 years with OPS

Maggie Douglas
MS '11
Fifth-grade teacher at Wilson Focus School
6 years with OPS

Vanessa Kruse
MS '06 & '15
First-grade teacher at Picotte Elementary School
13 years with OPS

Donna Wilcox
BS '94, MS '06
Language arts teacher at Marrs Middle School
22 years with OPS

Millard Public Schools Foundation 2019 Awards of Excellence

_{Dr. Keith Lutz Award for Excellence in Administration}

Dr. Heather Phipps
MS '00 & '04, EdD '10
Don Stroh Administration Center

_{Todd & Cathy Engle Award for Excellence in Middle School Teaching}

Heather Spessard-Schroer
BS '05, MS '12
Central Middle School

_{Dr. Vicki Kaspar Support Staff Award of Excellence}

Jay Hutfles
BS '99
Millard South High School

_{Mary Ann Sutfin & Kay Kronholm Volunteer Award of Excellence}

Bob & Mary Lykke
COE alumni with a combined 49 years of service to Millard Public Schools

Schrager Distinguished Teaching Award

One graduate of the College of Education was a recipient of a 2019 Schrager Distinguished Teaching Award. The award is given annually to two Westside Community Schools educators, who, through exemplary teaching and devoted service, have positively influenced the lives of countless young people.

Winter Heurtz
BS '02
Forth-grade teacher at Westbrook Elementary School