4 NSCSS Congressional District Award nominations as of July 29, 2010, 9:08 pm.

Congressional District:	2nd District
						Melissa Gates OPS Bryan H.S.: 4700 Giles Rd Omaha, NE 68157 402-557-3100: | melissa.gates@ops.org High School | World History Nominated by: Michael Young | michaelyoung@cox.net Support: Melissa Gates is not only an excellent World History teacher (traditional and A.P.), but she has been actively involved in numerous professional development activities. She has presented at many workshops for curriculum days for OPS as well as workshops for the OPS Teaching American History Grant i.e. Korea, WWI, Truman and Eisenhower Libraries, etc. Melissa has also worked with the OPS Social Supervisor and conducted workshops on helping teachers with assessments for their CRT's (social studies standards). Melissa also participated in the OPS TAHG Master's Degree program and was one of only two teachers out of 20+ who earned her MA in history. She is a dedicated teacher who is always searching for the latest innovative teaching strategies such as using the TCI History Alive program, which she has incorproated into her high school classes. She integrates the use of political cartoons in her classes as well as numerous other primary sources. She has made several presentations at the NSCSS conferences (Treaty of Versailles, A.P. World History, etc.) as well as attending the NCSS conference for the last several years. Melissa has taught for 8-9 years and is one of OPS's bright young teachers.
Congressional District:	2nd District
						Maria Walinski Omaha Public Omaha South High Magnet: 4519 S 24 St Omaha , NE 68107 402-557-3600: | maria.walinski@ops.org High School | Geography Nominated by: Shawn Hoschar | shawn.hoschar@ops.org Support: I have been a colleague of Maria's at South High Magnet for many years, first as one of her fellow social studies educators, and now as her department chair. Here is a list of some of the specific items that come to mind that indicate the quality of her work: >After sitting in her classes numerous times, I've seen her do quite a variety of teaching strategies. Many of the activities were either of her own invention, or involved significant creativity and preparation on her part. Even her students that are in in-school suspension (ISS) get creative, thorough lessons; Maria takes the time to send this work to the ISS room, where many teachers might send nominal work, or none at all. >When Maria and I were colleagues: I had a young lady as a student, and we just did not hit it off... she was quite resistant to me as a teacher. Maria agreed to let the student move to her class, and if I recall, she did much better for Maria. >On the flip side, Maria's not afraid to admit that she needs help. Recently, she asked me to assist her with a course that contained several students with behavior issues, including asking me to conference with one such student. >Maria is often willing to take on significant new challenges. She has taught one particular AP course for a couple of years. She has agreed to take on a different AP course (brand new to our school) this year. She has had a good time teaching the previous AP course, but was willing to give it up, even advocating for another member of our department to take it who had even stronger academic credentials than Maria in that particular content area. >She has also agreed to become our school's “guinea pig” as she is the first in our building to teach in OPS' new distance learning initiative. This is going to involve a significant amount of time, effort, creativity, and risk-taking on her part. >She is a huge fan of anything related to South High, especially academics. She is an extremely boisterous supporter of our Academic Decathlon team at the exciting Super Quiz event. >Thoroughness and attention to detail: I have examined several of her course syllabi (including some for the above-mentioned AP courses) and they are quite extensive. >She teaches all levels of students... from AP to regular-level courses, which often include students of limited academic ability. >She is a proactive advocate for kids… several times she has spotted higher-achieving students in her regular-level courses, and has asked for a special “sub-section” to be created, so that they can receive honors credit (even though that requires extra work on her part). >She interacts wonderfully with kids in the halls...with respect, patience and humor. >In a recent year, her AP kids gave her a plaque with their pictures... they adored her. Last year, one of her students actually constructed a podium for Maria, complete with wheels and a unique symbol on the front that represented Maria. >She is dedicated to the profession and to doing lots of “extras”... she and I worked together to create district CRT tests for geography; she has been extremely active in the Omaha Education Association; she is now a Teacher Consultant in the Geographic Educators of Nebraska; and the list goes on and on. If I recall, her most recent resume was close to two pages long, largely because of her professional activities. >Her efforts to build morale in her colleagues: As an example, she has been the creative mind behind several of our department get-togethers (of her own initiative), both in our department office and outside of the school day. >She has been a mentor for new teachers, and cooperating teacher for student teachers (and is one again this semester). Maria is indeed a master teacher, and I'm proud to work with her, and to submit her name for your consideration.
Congressional District:	2nd District
						Tom Allen OPS Bryan Senior High: 4700 Giles Road Omaha, NE 68157 (402) 557-3152: | thomas.allen@ops.org High School | Geography/10th Nominated by: Melissa Gates | melissa.gates@ops.org Support: It is with great pleasure that I write this letter of recommendation for Thomas Allen. I have known Tom Allen for seven years. Dedicated and hard working are all words that I would use to describe Tom. He has a desire to help people, and is convinced that education provides him the avenue to fulfill that desire. I have seen Tom in the classroom, and witnessed first hand the impact that he has on students. His students appreciate his dedication to education and recognize that he is there to support their success. There is little doubt in the minds of staff and students that work with Tom that he is passionate about the learning and teaching of geography. Upon entering his room, one is dizzied by the display of maps and books that relate to his passion. Tom has mastered relating hard geographical concepts to practical everyday situations, which help his student obtain and retain geographical knowledge. Tom also believes that it is important to get students as he puts it “off their butts” and actively learning geography. He has developed assignments that force students to travel around the city of Omaha to teach them about not only about geography, but about local history as well. I can not tell you how many times I have walked past Tom’s room and seen students laughing and moving about the room. Upon entering I am always greeted and invited to take part in the learning. He is the type of teacher that encourages students to think and eat outside of the box. I have on one occasion witnessed him make a geographical connection to “green eggs and spam.” He makes geography an experience, not a required class for graduation. Clearly education is an area that Tom is passionate about. With Tom Allen education does not end with the school year. He is always putting together some type of summer field trip. Whether he is traveling with students to Boston, New York, Washington D.C. or England and Ireland he is always striving to make real world connections with the students of Bryan High. Beyond student learning, Tom feels that obtaining and maintaining education for his own purposes is of great importance. He is an active member and participates in the steering committee for GEON (Geographic Educators of Nebraska). He has presented numerous times at the district level and state level. I write these brief words about Tom Allen without hesitation. His hard work and dedication have been central to his successes. Thank you for taking the time to consider a wonderful, worthy candidate.
Congressional District:	2nd District
						Maria Walinski Omaha Omaha South High Magnet School: 4519 South 24th Street Omaha, Nebraska 68107-1894 (402) 557-3600: | Maria.Walinski@ops.org High School | AP Human Geography, Honors Geography, Geography 9- Nominated by: Dr. Randy Bertolas, Geography, Wayne State College | raberto1@wsc.edu Support: I am writing this letter to nominate Maria Walinski for the 2010 NSCSS Outstanding Educator Award in the Second Congressional District. Ms. Walinski is currently employed at Omaha South High Magnet School where she teaches social studies. It is pleasure to work with Maria and to experience firsthand her devotion to educating the students of Nebraska. Maria Walinski has already enjoyed a notable career as an OPS social studies teacher. She was Runner-Up for Rookie of the Year among new teachers at Omaha South in 2003. And she was the recipient of a Distinguished Teaching Achievement award from the National Council for Geographic Education in 2007. Maria has participated in a wide variety of educational activities at Omaha South including the instruction of Dual Enrollment courses, involvement in Teaching American History grants, and bringing Advanced Placement courses in both Human Geography and Government to her school. Always trying to improve, Maria seeks out professional development opportunities in geography, history, and government in order to improve both her knowledge base and her ability to deliver high quality lessons in the classroom. In particular, her work in teaching government is quite noteworthy. Maria has supervised mock Presidential debates, served as Close-Up sponsor, and participated in both We the People and Supreme Court summer institutes. She has also taken several TAHG summer institutes including President Lincoln in Springfield and the Civil Rights Era in Nebraska. Maria Walinski’s contributions to both committee work and educational organizations have been extraordinary. Maria serves (or has served) on numerous committees at Omaha South over the years dealing with textbook selection, curriculum writing, accreditation, grading, and honors as well as serving terms with both OEA and NSEA. As coordinator of the Geographic Educators of Nebraska (GEON), I first came to notice Maria in attendance at our yearly summer institutes. I felt her dedication to teaching was worthy of an invitation to our GEON Teacher Consultant training weekend. Eventually, we invited Maria to become a member of the GEON steering committee and, today, she serves as our organization’s liaison to the Nebraska State Council for the Social Studies. Established now in 55 states and territories, National Geographic Society Alliances are state organizations dedicated to training teachers, distributing educational materials, and advocating for geography educators at all levels. Maria is one of GEON’s most valuable members. Maria has been outstanding at serving the students of Nebraska in other ways as well. From 1996-2000, she served as an Educational Paraprofessional at Nathan Hale Middle School. Here she helped students with behavioral disorders to navigate English, Math, and Social Studies material. Further, Maria has lobbied aggressively to get Nebraska’s Congressional delegation on board the Teaching Geography is Fundamental act, a bill that would provide money for K-12 teachers from any background to receive professional development in geography education. With Maria’s help, both U.S. Senators from Nebraska and two Representatives (including Mr. Terry from the 2nd District) are co-sponsors of this important legislation. As GEON coordinator, it is a truly wonderful experience to work with a dedicated educator such as Maria Walinski. Personally, the real value of being part of GEON has been the opportunities I have had to work with teachers of Maria’s high quality. In sum, Maria Walinski is a gifted educator, an outstanding colleague, and deserving of strong consideration for the 2010 NSCSS Outstanding Educator Award from Nebraska’s Second District. She is a worthy nominee for any honor that recognizes meritorious teaching in Nebraska social studies. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require further details. Sincerely, Randy Bertolas, Ph.D. Professor of Geography, Wayne State College Coordinator, Geography Educators of Nebraska