Lincoln North Star teacher wins distinguished educator award from UNL

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – North Star High School teacher Rachel Hruza was awarded the 2022 Freda Battey Distinguished Educator Award from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Hruza is a teacher and chair of the Family and Consumer Sciences Department at North Star.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in 2016, Hruza began teaching at North Star in 2017.  She taught five different courses daily, while also leading the department, UNL says.

Hruza’s chair responsibilities include scheduling, budgeting and ordering for the department.  She also leads the department meetings and retreats.

One of Hruza’s professors at the university, Sheree Moser, could tell early that she would be successful as a teacher and leader.

“Rachel was highly involved in campus life as an undergraduate, which showed her potential early for becoming the excellent teacher she is,” Moser wrote.  “She participated in a wide variety of community service activities and worked with people of diverse needs and aptitudes.  All of this has contributed to her move into teaching that has included being drawn into leadership and sharing at professional conferences and with colleagues.”

Outside of the classroom, Hruza developed a “Mindfulness Monday” activity for students and staff, became an interventionist for teen parents and has also spent time working with the district on curriculum and training.

North Star’s Associate Principal Rachel King says Hruza’s strong work ethic and laughter help engage students in learning.

“In all aspects of her education career, she is such a strong teacher, leader, friend and confidant,” King said.  “Students and colleagues learn a lot from Rachel about relationship building, engagement and love of learning.”

In the fall, Hruza will become the chair of the Family Consumer Sciences Department at Lincoln Northwest High School.

Hruza and North Star will be presented cash awards from the Battey family at a reception on Friday, UNL says.

The Battey Award honors the life and career of Freda Drath Battey, who graduated from the university’s teachers college in 1923.

The award is given to teachers who show “excellence in teaching coupled with recognition in other complementary education activities, such as counseling of students or initiation of student-oriented programs.”

It is awarded by UNL’s College of Education and Human Sciences.  More information on the award can be found here.