Longtime math teacher named 'McCook Area Educator of the Year'

McCook Area Chamber of Commerce Colleen Olson, retiring math teacher at McCook Junior High, accepts the 2019 "McCook Area Educator of the Year" award, a program funded by Allen D. Strunk, former owner and publisher of the McCook Gazette, and coordinated by the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce. Present at the junior high's awards banquet May 10 were Colleen's husband, Don, over her right shoulder; her mother, Donna Olson; and her son Luke, and Naomi, and their sons, Weston and Kergan. Not present was her daughter, Alisha, and Ty Thompson of Dallas, Texas. Representing the chamber were director Jamie Mockry and Joan Bass, right, and Mary Dueland, members of the chamber's Education Committee. Colleen's family plans a retirement reception inviting students, fellow teachers, staff members and administrators, family and friends on Saturday May 25, from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m., at Olson Ag Supply, three miles west of McCook on the north side of Highway 6&34.

McCook Area Chamber of Commerce

McCOOK, Neb. — A retiring math teacher at McCook Junior High is the 2019 "McCook Area Educator of the Year" selected by the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce.

Colleen Olson of rural McCook accepted the educator's award, funded by Allen D. Strunk, former owner and publisher of the McCook Gazette, during the junior high's end-of-the-school-year awards banquet Friday, May 10.

Olson has taught for 30 years, one year at the District 8 rural school and 29 years as an eighth grade math teacher at the junior high. Her retirement is effective at the end of this school year.

Strunk's award

Strunk's award recognizes outstanding performance in education, with special emphasis on motivating students to reach their highest potential. Educators selected to receive the award demonstrate commitment to teaching, compassion to students and involvement in the community. Each year, students, colleagues and community members from Dundy, Chase, Hitchcock, Hayes, Red Willow, Frontier and Furnas counties in Nebraska, and Decatur and Rawlins counties in Kansas nominate outstanding educators for this award. 

Nominations for the award are open to active and certified teachers, administrators, counselors and coaches in public and religious schools offering K-12 classes.

Strunk started the recognition award in 1998, giving a monetary gift to the Chamber to establish the program. Members of the chamber's Education Committee review and rate nominations, none of which is identified by the educator's name until all scores are tallied.

Letter of nomination

The letter nominating Olson for the award explains that Olson "has made a tremendous impact on her students because of her philosophy that learning can be fun, and by inspiring her students to find a love of learning by making connections from the classroom to the real world. An educator’s job is to equip students with the necessary skills to prepare them to function in a complex and rapidly changing society."  

According to the nomination letter, Olson believes that "the secret to being a successful teacher is not to demand a student’s respect, but to earn it. To achieve this, you must be predictable, consistent and fair, have consideration for others, remain positive and be organized. You need to actually enjoy working with children and young adults, along with having enthusiasm, a sense of humor and patience. Teachers need to advocate for every child and not only teach the basics, but also teach the equally important skills of collaboration, critical thinking and problem solving."  

The nomination letter indicates that Olson, "believes the teaching profession is an opportunity to walk into a classroom every day and make an impact on students’ lives, whether that is taking time to hear a story or look at a drawing or just asking how their day is going. We model values, how to handle difficult situations in the way we react and demonstrate we are human. Teachers have an opportunity every day to offer something to his/her students, whether it be covertly or overtly." 

Olson is a member of Memorial United Methodist Church in McCook. She started a "Fellowship of Christian Athletes Huddle" at the junior high and is a TeamMates mentor.

Olson serves on the McCook Community College Foundation board, reviewing and awarding scholarships. She is also the coordinator of a ladies golf league and enjoys spending time with her grandchildren.