OPS and NebraskaMATH teachers Connie Colton of Math in the Middle and NebraskaNOYCE and Julie Trimble of Primarily Math Cohort 1 were two of 15 Omaha Public Schools teachers honored with the 2017 Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Award.
The award, presented each year since 1988, goes to 15 OPS nominees with at least two years of teaching experience. The award is named for an aunt of Warren Buffett who taught high school home economics in OPS for more than 35 years.
The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation sponsors the awards. Each winner receives an engraved medallion, $10,000 and $500 in McDonald’s gift certificates. Awardees, who are nominated by colleagues, students and parents, were recognized at a dinner Friday night.
Here is more information about them:
Connie Colton
» Math teacher at McMillan Magnet Center
» Bachelor’s from UNO and master’s from UNL
» 25 years with OPS
A parent said, “She has made it clear that she believes in my son, and this has been important to his development in his early teen years. Her classes are academically rigorous, and I am thankful that he has had the opportunity to learn and grow under her.”
Julie Trimble
» Kindergarten teacher at Saddlebrook Elementary School
» Bachelor’s from Iowa State University and master's from UNL
» Eight years with OPS
A colleague said, “Ms. Trimble goes above and beyond for each student in her kindergarten class. My daughter looks forward to going to school every day. She comes home chatting nonstop about her day and can never decide which part of the day was her most favorite.”