NORFOLK, Neb. -- A Neligh-Oakdale High School teacher received the surprise of a lifetime Tuesday, as Gov. Jim Pillen presented Dexter Hanzel with the prestigious Milken Educator Award. Often dubbed the "Oscars of teaching," this award honors exceptional teachers across the nation for their dedication and hard work.

Along with the accolade, Hanzel received an unrestricted cash prize of $25,000.

“The Milken Educator Award goes to an educator who is doing innovative things in the classroom,” said Jennifer Fuller, Milken Educator Awards Vice President. “Helping them learn how to be critical thinkers and then also leaders. So we're looking at people who are invested in education.” 

When finding the right recipient of the award, one might think students or teachers would need to seek out the Milken organization to brag on their teacher, but Fuller went on to say, “You don't find us. We find you so that you can't apply for this award. We don't accept nominations. We look throughout the country for the best of the best educators, and we're very excited to be here in Nebraska today to celebrate an educator at We Oakdale.”

Hanzel, gave credit to many, but especially to those closest to him.

“Growing up, I had two aunts that were teachers, and I followed their paths a little bit,” said Hanzel. “All my coaches in high school. I went to Humphrey Public. I just really enjoyed everyone there. I liked all my teachers and I liked the process and I found a passion in it. I knew in high school I was going to be a teacher.”

Pillen, who was also in attendance to present the award, expressed his gratitude and what he hopes a day like this will do for future kids in Neligh, Oakdale and throughout Nebraska. 

“Hopefully this experience today for everybody here inspires us all to do a little bit more than we thought we could," Pillen said. "I'll bet it inspires a number of kids to become teachers. I bet it inspires every teacher here to be able to do the best they possibly can every moment of the day. So it's a great day to say 'thank you' and it's a great day to inspire us all to greater levels."

Hanzel, Nebraska’s 49th Milken honoree, was honored as part of the Milken Family Foundation’s 2024-25 Milken Educator Awards season.

The tour will honor up to 45 pioneering professionals coast to coast, marking the 3,000th Milken Educator in the awards’ ranks and celebrating a history of changing lives in communities across America.

Since the presentation of the first cards in 1987, more than $75 million in individual cash cash prizes and over $145 million have been invested in the Milken Educator Award national network overall, empowering recipients to “Celebrate, Elevate, and Activate” the K-12 profession and encouraging young, capable people to consider a career in education.