Math instructor Kristen Hogan won the Rookie of the Year Award Monday, Sept. 29 at the fall conference held by the Nebraska Association of Teachers of Mathematics (NATM). This award is given out to one math teacher a year in the state of Nebraska during their first three years of teaching.

To receive this award, the recipient must be nominated. Math instructor and vice president of NATM, Angela Mosier, nominated Hogan with a letter of recommendation and many reasons why Hogan was the right fit.

“I nominated her because of the spirit she brings to everything she does around here,” Mosier said. “She has a work ethic that is unbelievable for such a new teacher. She goes above and beyond in all over lessons and tries to do what she can to make them fun and interactive to keep students engaged. She’s a great addition and I just thought she was worthy of being recognized for that.”

Although Hogan doesn’t consider herself as a good teacher, she does see herself as a hardworking teacher.

“I think it’s really rewarding when you see students turn their approach around and find success both in and out of the classroom,” Hogan said.

While at the conference, Hogan had no idea she was going to receive the award.

“They read a speech and I figured out halfway through the speech it was for me,” Hogan said. “I was really shocked [because] I hadn’t even thought about [receiving the award].”

For Mosier, it was the first year she had nominated anyone for the award, but she is convinced it won’t be her last.