State group counts Nelson, Kreizel as winners of top math awards

Taylee Nelson and Julie Kreizel have used their mathematical knowledge to help many Lincoln Public Schools students.
 
Both received prestigious Nebraska educator awards in early November for their talents in teaching everything from multiplication to mixed fractions.
 
The Nebraska Association of Teachers of Mathematics (NATM) gave Nelson and Kreizel two of the top honors in their profession. Nelson received the Rookie of the Year Award and Kreizel secured the Milton M. Beckman Lifetime Achievement Award.

The following profiles showcase how Nelson and Kreizel have made a big difference in the lives of many people in LPS.

Taylee Nelson – Rookie of the Year Award
 
Taylee Nelson spent a large part of her youth blasting soccer balls into the back of the net across Nebraska.
 
She has enjoyed the same amount of goal-scoring success explaining math skills to Zeman Elementary School students.
 
Nelson, who teaches fourth grade at Zeman, beamed as she was recognized for her teaching talents. Nelson’s husband Trey, Zeman Principal Rik Devney and Lincoln Public Schools Math Elementary Teacher Leader Karla Bandemer ensured the award remained a secret until the big day.
 
“I was astounded and deeply touched that I am surrounded by leaders who empower me to such great highs,” Nelson said. “Working alongside Karla Bandemer and Rik Devney is truly a privilege to watch great innovators in action. I am deeply humbled to have been recognized for this award amongst the great state of mathematics educators we have in Nebraska.”
 
The NATM established the Rookie of the Year Award in 2000 to honor teachers who have demonstrated outstanding abilities early in their careers. Nominees must have taught for three or fewer years to be eligible.
 
Nelson attended the conference to lead a presentation called “Building a Culture of Thinking Classrooms.” She was happy when her parents and grandparents joined her for lunch, as she thought they were there to support her during her lecture. Everyone smiled when NATM board members announced her name as the award winner.
 
Bandemer helps guide LPS teachers in math curriculum instruction for grades 3-5. She nominated Nelson for the statewide honor after meeting her during her second year of teaching. Nelson had just moved from first grade to fourth grade at Zeman and was presenting her first lessons to her new class.
 
“I have been impressed with her from the first time I visited her classroom,” Bandemer said. “She is creative, compassionate and centers her students in every decision she makes. She is a masterful builder of relationships with students. Her classroom is a calm, safe place where students are supported in taking risks.”
 
Nelson used her intelligence and work ethic to etch her name on Southwest High School’s academic honor roll. She graduated in 2016 after also becoming a standout soccer player for the Silver Hawks. She posted 29 goals and 31 assists in her 53-match career.
 
Nelson collected multiple Dean’s List awards at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She graduated in 2020 with a double major in early childhood and elementary education.
 
Devney said Nelson has maintained that same level of excellence as a teacher. He said she has created an environment where students are challenged but also cared for.
 
“Taylee understands the importance of building a culture for learning by having high expectations for scholars in a safe environment where students can take risks as learners,” Devney said. “Her interactions with students set the tone for the norms of how student interactions are to occur. Her classroom is a true community of learners.”
 
Nelson submitted written reflections about her teaching philosophy as part of her LPS tenure class coursework. Bandemer said those sealed her initial impressions about Nelson’s dedication to students.
 
“Her high-quality writing and Taylee’s thoughtful, honest reflections stood out,” Bandemer said. “It was apparent from the beginning that Taylee is a teacher who is always striving to find both big and small ways to improve her instruction.”
 
Nelson has used her talents with the pen to impact people on both local and national levels. She wrote an article entitled “Vulnerability in Our Collective Work as Educators” for the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) this past year. The NCTM published her paper in its journal “Mathematics Teacher: Learning & Teaching PK-12” in June 2023.
 
“My writing skills have helped me personally develop strong mathematical competencies in understanding, problem solving and reasoning,” Nelson said. “Further, this has allowed me to foster strong mathematical connections in my classroom as I develop low-floor, high-ceiling questioning techniques.”
 
Nelson said she wants to give Zeman students the skills to score all of their math-based goals in the classroom.
 
“Teaching elementary math is such a joyous journey as we progress through the school year,” Nelson said. “What I enjoy most is watching students’ confidence blossom as they explore their capabilities through multiple representations and cross-connections amongst concepts.”

Julie Kreizel – Milton M. Beckman Lifetime Achievement Award
 
Julie Kreizel created numerous lightbulb moments for LPS students during her 25 years in the district.
 
NATM members honored those bright accomplishments with the Milton M. Beckman Lifetime Achievement Award. They applauded Kreizel for her mathematical expertise and her dedication to the community.
 
Kreizel said her LPS teaching and administrative career was full of happy highlights.
 
“I’ve enjoyed working with students and teachers as they make sense of new information and new math concepts, and they’re able to make connections to things that make it clear,” Kreizel said. “When they have that ‘I get it’ moment it’s really special. When you work with them and they gain understanding of the content and are able to make sense of something new, you feel really excited about it. That’s what I’ve enjoyed the most.”
 
Anne Schmidt and Becky Evans guide LPS teachers in math curriculum instruction for grades 6-12. Schmidt said Kreizel left a shining legacy with her professional talents. Kreizel retired from LPS last year.
 
“As a result of her leadership and drive to ensure equitable math instruction for each and every student, middle school classrooms across the district have embraced effective mathematics teaching practices,” Schmidt said. “She is a masterful instructional coach who encourages teachers to reflect on their craft and continue to learn more about sound mathematics instruction. Julie is quick with an encouraging word but also ready to challenge others when there is a need.”
 
The NATM established the Milton M. Beckman Lifetime Achievement Award in 1989 to honor outstanding mathematics educators in Nebraska. Recipients must be active members of the NATM and NCTM, have demonstrated outstanding teaching abilities and have showcased leadership in the promotion of math as a field of study. They must also have developed and implemented new teaching strategies in the state.
 
Schmidt said all of those requirements perfectly describe Kreizel.
 
“She has been a tireless advocate for high-quality mathematics instruction, leading the way by inviting others into her own classroom,” Schmidt said. “She is generous with her expertise and wisdom, always willing to problem solve and brainstorm with colleagues. She has a talent for asking just the right question, pushing others to reflect and consider different perspectives.”
 
Kreizel said she was honored to receive the award in front of family, friends and respected peers.
 
“That was really nice,” Kreizel said. “My team of teachers from the district office were there. That was nice to experience that with them. I also had a couple of former colleagues there who now work with teachers in another part of the state. It was nice overall.”
 
Kreizel taught sixth grade at Hawthorne Elementary School and led eighth-grade math classes at both Scott and Mickle middle schools. She was accepted into the first group of participants in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Math in the Middle Institute, which helps teachers develop new lesson plans for math classes in grades 4-8.
 
Kreizel graduated from Math in the Middle in 2006 and later became an instructor for the program. She served as LPS middle school math coordinator until 2022. She said the natural curiosity of that age group made it fun to teach them.
 
“Middle school kids tend to be curious, eager to learn things and eager to make their teachers happy,” Kreizel said.
 
Kreizel has also helped many people outside the district. She has delivered dozens of presentations at NATM and NCTM conferences about the latest strategies to improve math curriculum. She also helped launch the Lincoln Area Teachers Mathematics Circles group in 2007.
 
Schmidt said Kreizel’s positive attitude is one of the biggest reasons for her success. She felt that has allowed Kreizel to help many LPS students and teachers enjoy lightbulb moments with math.
 
“She has the ability to inspire others to find ways to improve their craft in the same way she improves hers,” Schmidt said.
 
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