Hansen earns state honor for social studies expertise

November 24, 2025

Brenna Hansen is helping Lincoln High students dig up valuable social studies knowledge with her ace-level understanding of the subject.
 
The Geographic Educators of Nebraska (GEON) recognized Hansen for her teaching talents this fall with the Bertolas, Gildersleeve, Stoddard, Stone Award. GEON leaders select one person from each of Nebraska’s three congressional districts each year to receive the honor. Recipients like Hansen promote and enhance geography education in Nebraska through teaching, research and professional learning activities.
 
Hansen said she enjoys leading Lincoln High classes throughout the year. She said it is satisfying to work with students, teachers and community members who have built a positive mosaic of ideas and backgrounds.
 
“I love teaching social studies at Lincoln High because of the incredible community,” Hansen said. “It extends from my supportive colleagues to the diverse, schoolwide environment. Lincoln High is truly special, bringing people from all different backgrounds together in the same classroom. This atmosphere feels like a genuine reflection of our ever-changing and interconnected world.”

 
GEON Chairman Harris Payne said the organization was proud to recognize Hansen for her important work. He said she and other Bertolas, Gildersleeve, Stoddard, Stone Award recipients are setting the stage for educational success across Nebraska.
 
“I believe it is paramount to have effective leaders like Brenna who are able to help students understand the complexity of our world in order to be an informed citizen,” Payne said.
 
Hansen used her strong work ethic to register successful results in both academics and athletics at Southwest High School. She was a Nebraska School Activities Association Academic All-State Award recipient during her time on campus, and she became a standout volleyball player for the Silver Hawks.
 
Hansen graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in secondary social science education. She began her LPS career as a teacher associate at Schoo Middle School and joined Lincoln High’s faculty in August 2021.
 
Hansen said she wants students to realize that global events impact everyday moments in Lincoln. For example, a change in the price of corn in South America or wheat in Europe can have major ramifications for Nebraska farmers and consumers. The same is true for hundreds of other economic, social, agricultural and transportation issues.

 
“My primary goal is for students to gain a worldly perspective of their daily existence,” Hansen said. “They are surrounded by people, events and objects that are globally connected, and I want them to recognize and analyze these connections.”
 
Hansen helped the Links experience those light-bulb educational moments in one of her morning classes this fall. She gave students several illustrations of how various cultures have increased their presence across the world. One example focused on the way American restaurants have found a footing in hundreds of international cities. Several chains now have stores on six of the seven continents, which makes American culture more widespread and influential.
 
Hansen also gave her class a chance to reflect on reasons why the world is more linked together than ever before. In previous centuries, people may not have learned the outcome of a global event for weeks or even months. The emergence of smartphones now causes information to travel from Singapore to Sweden with the swipe of a screen.
 
In addition to her classroom duties at Lincoln High, Hansen is also lending her leadership skills to East High School volleyball players. She is the head junior varsity coach for the Spartans and supports varsity athletes in their matches.
 
“Brenna has been such a huge add to our program,” East head varsity coach Nicole Johnson said. “Not just from a volleyball standpoint, but from an organizational standpoint and a relationship-building standpoint. It’s very obvious she’s an incredible educator with how she is with our athletes. She takes pride in her professionalism and how she communicates with our girls, and I’m so, so lucky to have her in the program.”
 
Hansen received her state award in front of more than 300 members of the National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE) this fall. The organization held its annual conference in Omaha. NCGE leaders recognized Hansen and other geographic educators for their inspirational efforts.

 
Hansen said she would like Lincoln High students to learn more than just geography terms and concepts in her classes. She also wants them to become compassionate and considerate members of a global society.
 
“Ultimately, I hope students can take their personal experiences and apply them to the big, sometimes daunting, outside world,” Hansen said. “Crucially, I also strive to instill empathy and understanding for those whose experiences and backgrounds are very different from my students, both locally and globally.”
 
LPS social studies teachers like Brenna Hansen are providing exceptional education for students throughout Lincoln every day. Read more about the school district’s social studies curriculum and how it encourages lifelong learning at home.lps.org/socialstudies.
 
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