Award nominations for 2026 can be submitted here.
Don W. Miller Distinguished Service Award
The NATM board established the Don Miller Distinguished Service Award in 1989. Its purpose is to honor mathematics educators for their contribution to the improvement of mathematics education in the state of Nebraska.
The NATM board shall determine award recipients using the following criteria:
Candidates must:
- Be directly involved in mathematics education in the state of Nebraska.
- Be active members of the NATM and NCTM.
- Demonstrate leadership in the promotion of mathematics as a science and a field of study.
- Demonstrate outstanding teaching.
- Demonstrate leadership in the development and implementation of new teaching strategies and technology for the teaching of mathematics.
Past Don Miller Awardees
2025: No Award Given
2024: Michelle Homp
2023: No Award Given
2022: Shelby Aaberg
2021: Cindy Beaman
2020: Sandi Snyder
2019: Marci Ostmeyer
2018: Wendy Smith
2017: Dr. Tami Worner
2016: Terri Jelinek
2015: Deb Bulin
2014: Dot Snesrud
2013: Carol Jessen & Deb Wragge
2012: Jim Lewis
2011: Larry Hummel
2010: Leona Penner
2009: Betty Teeter
2008: Steve Bahrij
2007: No Award
2006: Dianne Vorderstrasse
2005: Nancy Kunkel
2004: James Paige
2003: Bonnie Hiykel
2002: Lenny VerMaas
2001: Hilbert Johs
2000: Melvin Thornton
1999: Donald Olson
1998: Deborah Romanek
1997: James Fraser
1996: David Stodola
1995: Helen Banzhaf
1994: No Award
1993: Monty Fickel
1992: Donald Miller
1991: Stanley Urwiller
1990: Alvin Gloor
1989: Buren Skip Thomas
Milton M. Beckman Lifetime Achievement Award
The NATM board established this award in 1989. Its purpose is to honor outstanding mathematics educators who have spent a lifetime working on the improvement of mathematics education in the state of Nebraska.
The board shall determine award recipients using the criteria listed below.
Candidates must:
- Have devoted a career to the improvement of mathematics education in the state of Nebraska.
- Have been active members of the NATM and the NCTM.
- Have demonstrated leadership in the promotion of mathematics as a science and a field of study.
- Have demonstrated outstanding teaching.
- Have demonstrated leadership in the development and implementation of new teaching strategies and technology for the teaching of mathematics.
Past Milton Beckman Awardees
2025: Tricia Buchanan
2024: No Award Given
2023: Julie Kreizel
2022: Deb Romanek
2021: Lenny VerMaas
2020: Janice Vosler
2019: Leona Penner
2018: Beth Wentworth
2017: Jessica Thompson
2016: Paul Hinrichs
2015: Gordon Woodward
2014: Jim Johnson
2013: Neal Grandgenett and Elliott Ostler
2012: Tom Shield
2011: David Fowler
2010: No Award
2009: Polly Amstutz
2008: No Award
2007: No Award
2006: Mary Chochon
2005: Tedi Lund
2004: Chuck Friesen
2003: De Tonack
2002: Clint Ludeman
2001: Bill Rogge
2000: Ivan Stone
1999: Patience Fisher
1998: Jerry Beckmann
1997: Dale Fitzke
1996: Charles Pickens
1995: James Fejfar
1994: No Award
1993: Walter Mientka
1992: Lyle McKercher
1991: Frank Prather
1990: Dorcas Cavet
1989: Milton Beckman
NATM Rookie of the Year Award
This award was established in 2000 to honor rookie mathematics teachers who demonstrate outstanding teaching in their beginning years of teaching. Nominatees must have taught three years or fewer and teach in a public or private school within the state of Nebraska.
Past Rookie of the Year Awardees
2025: Maggie Scott
2024: Paris TeBrink
2023: Emma Thede and Taylee Nelson
2022: Simon Wiedel
2021: Hanna Savidge
2020: Odalys Cruz
2018: Amber Savidge
2017: Karla Brown
2016: Jon Kuecker
2015: Morgan Wilken
2014: Kristen Hogan
2010: Aaron Burgoa
2009: Danielle Burhman
2003: Cindy Doggett & Amy Helzer
2002: Jason Viergutz
2001: Melissa Overfield
2000: Kim Brockhaus