The Omaha public school teacher received one of the highest awards available to teachers of math and science across the country.
Bancroft Elementary School teacher Leah Litz recently received a presidential award from the White House for outstanding achievements in teaching math and science.
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The recognition is the highest award a math and science teacher up to 12 can receive from the U.S. government, a press release said. The award recognizes teachers for their commitment to STEM education.
Litz is a kindergarten teacher at the zoo, a position that is part of a program created as part of a partnership between OPS and the Henry Durley Zoo and Aquarium in Omaha. Her contributions to the program include helping expand access for students and increase enrollment.
The Kindergarten Zoo is recognized nationally as an innovative educational program, said Elizabeth Malkerin, the zoo’s vice president of education. Litz is the third winner of the Presidential Award, recognized by the Zoo’s Department of Education since 2010.
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“It is a great privilege for us to work in partnership between Omaha Public Schools and Omaha Zoo,” Litz said in a release. “This achievement would have been impossible without their support and the support of my family.”
Nominees for the award have completed the application process to demonstrate their knowledge and commitment to improving STEM education. The selection process involves a board of state and national mathematicians, scientists and teachers.
Each recipient receives $ 10,000 from the National Science Foundation, which manages awards on behalf of the White House.
Litz said she enjoys connecting students with the world around her as she helps students develop a strong academic foundation.
“It is an incredible honor to be recognized among this prestigious group of educators,” Litz said. “I am proud of the work our community is doing in science education and continue to be inspired by the courage, curiosity, perseverance and empathy of my students for the environment and humanity.”
Our best photos and videos of Omaha staff for February 2022
Diana Cervantes embodies the spirit of these pioneer wrestlers. “If we think about it, we’ll do the job.”
ANNA REED, BULLETIN OF THE WORLD
Kiki caresses her calf Eugene at the Henry Dorley Zoo and Aquarium on Monday.
RAT MACHIAN VESNIK
Jeanne Ramos, a Bennington junior, warms up in the hallway before a match at Weeping Water High School, invited only to a girls ’fight in Weeping Water on Saturday, January 22, 2022.
ANNA RID / BULLETIN OF THE WORLD
Alice McClinthick poses for a portrait next to a World War II photo on Monday. McClintick will soon be 100 years old.
CHRIS MACHIAN, BULLETIN OF PEACE
120-pound wrestling with West Point Beamer Diana Cervantes grew up around the sport, battling her sister on the edge of the mat while her older brother competed. Now the future Marine wants to help bring his school to the state team championship. “We don’t have a single banner or a single sport,” she said. “We are fighting for it.”
ANNA RID / BULLETIN OF THE WORLD
Sony, one of two baby elephants born in January at the Henry Dorley Zoo and Aquarium, debuted Monday.
RAT MACHIAN VESNIK
103-pound Jocelyn Prada Jocelyn Prada, left, has an advantage over second-year Schuyler Esica Garcia at the invitation of Weeping Water. Prado later qualified for the state meeting the following weekend.
ANNA RID / BULLETIN OF THE WORLD
On Wednesday at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln tray McGowans of Nebraska is trying to steal against Peyton Willis of Minnesota.
LILY SMITH / BULLETIN OF THE WORLD
Upendra Chaliz was not needed in gloves when riding on the rink of the University of Nebraska Medical Center on Monday when temperatures reached 50s. A few more days of warm weather are forecast.
Photos by RAT MACHIAN, BULLETIN OF THE WORLD
Lat Mayen of Nebraska (right) blocks Elijah Williams of Northwestern during their game at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Saturday.
ELIN T. MESLAR JOURNAL OF THE WORLD
Alonso Verge Jr. of Nebraska (right) fights Boo Bui of the Northwest Club for the ball during their game at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Saturday.
ELIN T. MESLAR JOURNAL OF THE WORLD
Alonso Verge Jr. of Nebraska (right) fights Elijah Williams of Northwestern for the ball during their game at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Saturday.
ELIN T. MESLAR JOURNAL OF THE WORLD
Jazz Shelley of Nebraska (second from left) and Bella Cravens (right) fight with Osh Brown of Rutgers (left) and Jaylin Mason for the ball during Tuesday’s game at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.
ELIN T. MESLAR JOURNAL OF THE WORLD
Alison Weidner of Nebraska (left) fights for the ball with Sayauni Lassiter of Rutgers during Tuesday’s game at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.
ELIN T. MESLAR JOURNAL OF THE WORLD
Isabel Bourne of Nebraska (center) is trying to overcome the Rutgers defense while playing Tuesday at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.
ELIN T. MESLAR JOURNAL OF THE WORLD
Dave Brezak pulls out loaves of bread from the oven in the bunker on Friday.
CHRIS MACHIAN, BULLETIN OF PEACE
Dave Brezak braids a loaf of bread, which he prepares on Friday at Bagel Bin. The restaurant hall will participate in the Broadway tour “Violinist on the Roof” in Omaha.
CHRIS MACHIAN, BULLETIN OF PEACE
Matthew Schrader with some glassware he created for Lauritzen Garden’s latest exhibition “Wonders Under Glass”.
CHRIS MACHIAN, BULLETIN OF PEACE
Rich Ryan goes to a piece called “3-D Flower Anatomy” in Lauritzen’s Garden.
CHRIS MACHIAN, BULLETIN OF PEACE
Stephanie Meadows wears a necklace with the birthstones of all her children, including her daughter Isabella Santiago on Wednesday. Meadows received a necklace as a Christmas present. Isabella was killed in a shooting on December 22.
CHRIS MACHIAN, BULLETIN OF PEACE
On the left, Spencer Shireman, Mike Homa and Cooper Wilson pose for a portrait in a warehouse in Commerce Park owned by R&R Realty Group. R&D is nearing completion of a fourth warehouse at Commerce Park.
CHRIS MACHIAN, BULLETIN OF PEACE
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