UNO Alumnus Jacob Eitzen Receives Prestigious 'Oscars of Teaching' Award
- published: 2023/11/22
- contact: Nalleli Zermeno - College of Arts and Sciences
For days, the halls of Bellevue West High School echoed with rumors about the surprise assembly's contents. Nebraska Commissioner of Education Brian Maher, Ed.D., kicked off the assembly by celebrating the school's Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS), of which Jacob Eitzen is the head for Bellevue West. Following this, Milken Educator Awards Vice President Stephanie Bishop surprised Eitzen by presenting him with the esteemed Milken Educator Award and a prize of $25,000.
Eitzen graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in secondary education – mathematics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) in 2014 and later earned a master’s degree in secondary mathematics from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) in 2018.
Nicknamed “the Oscars of teaching,” the Milken Educator Award is reserved for outstanding educational professionals who exhibit exceptional teaching skills and deliver noteworthy student learning outcomes within both the classroom and the broader school context. Notably, Eitzen's remarkable contributions to teaching AP Statistics at Bellevue West High School have resulted in a fourfold increase in class enrollment. More than half of his students not only pass the course but also achieve a score of 3 or above, showcasing the effectiveness of his teaching methods.
Eitzen's teaching methods are characterized by creativity, consistently capturing students' attention. When he first took over the class, it was a learning experience for both him and his students. As he developed a passion for it, he adapted methods to further engage his students. He seamlessly integrates Husker trivia and gameday statistics into the mathematical concepts he teaches. By bridging the gap between academic concepts and real-world interests, Eitzen instills genuine enthusiasm for learning in his students.
Eitzen graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in secondary education – mathematics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) in 2014 and later earned a master’s degree in secondary mathematics from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) in 2018.
Nicknamed “the Oscars of teaching,” the Milken Educator Award is reserved for outstanding educational professionals who exhibit exceptional teaching skills and deliver noteworthy student learning outcomes within both the classroom and the broader school context. Notably, Eitzen's remarkable contributions to teaching AP Statistics at Bellevue West High School have resulted in a fourfold increase in class enrollment. More than half of his students not only pass the course but also achieve a score of 3 or above, showcasing the effectiveness of his teaching methods.
Eitzen's teaching methods are characterized by creativity, consistently capturing students' attention. When he first took over the class, it was a learning experience for both him and his students. As he developed a passion for it, he adapted methods to further engage his students. He seamlessly integrates Husker trivia and gameday statistics into the mathematical concepts he teaches. By bridging the gap between academic concepts and real-world interests, Eitzen instills genuine enthusiasm for learning in his students.
Watch Jacob Eitzen's Milken Award Speech
See some of the media stories about Eitzen's win:
- Nov. 16, 2023 | Nebraska Examiner
- Nov. 16, 2023 | KMTV 3News Now
- Nov. 21, 2023 (updated Nov. 27) | Omaha World-Herald