In the small town of Neligh, Nebraska, Dexter Hanzel’s outstanding dedication to his students, colleagues, and community plays a significant role in the academic, professional, and personal growth of those around him. A math and science teacher at Neligh-Oakdale Jr./Sr. High School, Hanzel engages students in eighth through 12th grades well beyond note-taking and memorization: His classroom is a hub of exciting hands-on activities and experiments, collaborative 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. 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.
As part of his role on the district’s multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) team, he presented at an MTSS Summit in Kearney. Also within the district, Hanzel serves on the classification of instructional programs (CIP) committee, mentors new staff, and is an instrumental leader in updating and adopting new districtwide math curriculum. At the school level, Hanzel participates on the student success team, where he collaborates with colleagues on intervention strategies for students, harnessing his experiences from serving on the SAT/SCIP (School Community Intervention and Prevention) team. He previously headed a math readiness program in partnership with Northeast Community College and is currently working with the district on securing a STEM/robotics club.
A service-oriented leader, Hanzel helps the community wherever he can. He is the school’s head boys golf coach, assistant football coach, and oversees a weights program during the summer. Before and after school he offers additional academic help to students, and has supported summer custodial staff. Always modeling “The Warrior Way” for students, Hanzel serves as a positive adult role model and a valued mentor within the school’s Teammates Mentoring Program.
Hanzel earned his Bachelor of Science in math education from Wayne State College in 2016.
Press Release: Surprise! Neligh Teacher Presented with $25,000 Milken Educator Award
