By Taryn Vanderford, 10/11 NOW
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - Each month during the school year, 10/11 and Doane University present a Golden Apple award to a deserving teacher in our area. Our winner for March is a first year math teacher at Lincoln Northeast High School.
We found Carter Prang helping his students review their math homework. This first year teacher isn’t much older than these high schoolers, and he sees that as an advantage.
“Most of the time it’s great because we can talk about pop culture, various things we may have common interest in between me and my students,” Prang said. “But then it also gives me an opportunity to talk to students about things I don’t always hear about, and don’t always know, because there are a lot of things I still don’t know even being close to them in age.”
Mr. Prang acknowledges that he much to learn, just like his students. He’s humble, but also passionate and caring - attributes that make a fine teacher according to the friend who nominated him for this award.
“Carter, albeit a novice teacher, is the definition of what it means to be a teacher of the next generation,” Kyle Goodban wrote in his nomination letter.
Last spring, Mr. Prang had the unique opportunity to student teach a few classes on his own at Lincoln Northeast. This prepared him for the real deal, his first full-time job teaching math for the Rockets.
Mark Runyan is the associate principal for Lincoln Northeast. He said that Mr. Prang goes to his colleagues to get different inputs to be a better teacher.
“He’s willing to come down and visit with me and take any advice, and I think that’s unique,” Prang said. “I’m proud of him because he’s able to take that advice and continue to grow from day one this year.”
Although Mr. Prang is still a new teacher, he puts in the hours to make sure all of his students receive a quality education, and know that he supports them.
“They may not want to learn math, but that’s what we are going to try to do,” Prang said. “But at the very least, if they don’t learn anything, and don’t take anything away, I want them to know I care and that I want them to be successful, in whatever area, if it’s math or not.”
And beyond math, Mr. Prang volunteers for a church youth group. It’s another way this Waverly native can connect with students.
“That’s really awesome because it gives me a chance to hang out with students that I many not necessarily be teaching, but more of a peer,” Prang said. “They don’t call me Mr. Prang there, which is kind of nice to have a little bit of a difference there.”
Mr. Prang is an example of how passion for a profession can take you far, regardless of experience.
“It’s really cool that some of my hard work is being recognized,” Prang said. “But I also know that I have a long way to go, and long teaching career in which to continue improving my teaching craft and my skill.”
And he’s off to a great start.
If you know a teacher who’d be perfect for this honor, nominate them here.