The award, established by the Nebraska Association of Teachers of Mathematics (NATM), honors rookie mathematics teachers who demonstrate outstanding teaching in their beginning years of education.
Wayne State College graduate Paris TeBrink '22 has received the Rookie of the Year Teaching Award for 2024 from the Nebraska Association of Teachers of Mathematics (NATM).
TeBrink, a native of Denton, Neb., has been teaching eighth grade math for three years at Norris Middle School in Firth, Neb.
According to the Norris Middle School website, the award was established in 2000 by NATM to honor rookie mathematics teachers who demonstrate outstanding teaching in their beginning years of education. Nominees must have taught for three years or fewer in a public or private school in Nebraska. She received the award for her passion and excellence in mathematics education.
TeBrink graduated from Wayne State in May 2022. She earned a bachelor’s degree, while majoring in Middle Level Education (grades 5-9) and Special Education (grades 7-12), and an endorsement in English as a Second Language. TeBrink is currently pursuing a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction at Doane University.
“Mary Kuchta (associate professor of mathematics) really made a difference during my time at Wayne State College,” said TeBrink. “She taught us how to apply math in real-life situations, which helped me feel more confident in teaching math to students. The practicum hours and time spent in other classrooms were also very helpful, and it gave me a lot of hands-on experience.”
“Through NENTA (Northeast Nebraska Teacher Academy at Wayne State), I had the opportunity to visit other schools and gain experience subbing in classrooms where I was responsible for leading lessons,” continued TeBrink. “Wayne State also helped me with my job search by offering resume workshops and practice interviews, making the job search much easier. All of these experiences helped me grow as a teacher and gave me the skills and confidence I needed to succeed.”
At Wayne State, TeBrink served as a Peer Tutor (education) for the Holland Academic Success Center, and as a Peer Tutor (math) for TRIO Student Support Services. In addition to NENTA, she was also active in the CRU interdenominational Christian ministry, the Exercise is Medicine organization, the Kappa Delta Pi international honor society in education, and intramurals.
Her twin sister, Paytra (TeBrink) Kent, also graduated from Wayne State in May 2022, and she earned a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics Education (6-12) and an endorsement in English as a Second Language.