One of the big stories in Nebraska recently was about the
North Bend fifth grade teacher, Rebecca Streff, who received the Milken
Education Award. What some didn’t realize is that Rebecca Votipka Streff
is an Exeter native and Exeter High School alumnus.
Streff was surprised with the award during a recent
school assembly. The honor, which is given to educators, was presented to only
33 teachers nationwide this year and comes with a $25,000 prize. It was
created in 1987 to “inspire educators and emphasize the importance of joining
the teaching profession” according to the Milken Family Foundation website.
The Foundation identifies teachers who fit their criteria
including those who have had success in the classroom that usually hasn’t been
publically recognized, those who are molding their teaching practices to
increase the success of their students, and also teachers who are motivating
their colleagues, students and community members.
The 2000 graduate of Exeter High School recalls that she
“always wanted to be a teacher. I remember teaching my dolls, my little
brother, even all our farm animals. I loved every minute of it. I
loved kids. Once I started babysitting I had a natural magnetic pull
toward children.”
Once she started school at Exeter that desire grew.
She mentioned elementary teachers like Mrs. Marla Weber and Mrs. Kathy Erdkamp,
“They did hands-on learning. They made me feel like I could learn anything and
be anything. They made learning fun. I loved coming to school, and right away,
I knew at a very young age I wanted to become a teacher.”
Her high school teachers at Exeter also inspired her, “Mrs.
Judy Votipka spent so much time before and after school working with us, Mrs.
Deb Fette and her sentence diagrams and even Mr. Bob Mahoney influenced
me. I still use some of those strengths today. . .they had a passion for
education.”
“The teachers I had knew me better than I knew myself.
They saw something in me and found that strength in me. I remember Mr.
Lonnie Shaffer, my teacher and track coach, saw something in me and made
me run long distance. I hated it but then I started to get good and I
loved it.”
And while Streff certainly credits her experiences in the
Exeter district as a big part of her foundation, she recognizes that education
starts at home. “I remember Dad always reading to us and helping us with
our school work, Mom helping us prepare our speeches for speech or helping us
with our 4H projects.”
“But I also think I wouldn’t be where I’m at today
without the support of my family. Mom. Dad. Grandparents. They were and are
firm believers in education and always pushed us (my brother and me) to try our
hardest and do our best and encouraged us to participate in everything we
could. Even today they are supportive and an active role in my life and their
grandkids. And for that I’ll be forever thankful and blessed.”
Her parents, Bob and Barb Votipka and grandmother LeeAnn
Votipka live just outside of Exeter.
Streff has taught at North Bend for 11 years (she taught for
three years in Lincoln). Her husband, Ken, teaches social studies at
North Bend High School and also serves as a councilman for the city. They
have four children, Philip, 9, Isabella, 7, Julia, 5, and Kevin, 2 months old
and the three oldest along with her husband were present at the assembly when
she received the recognition.
The assembly had been planned while she was on maternity
leave and had to be postponed because of a snowstorm. After she was
recognized as a candidate her administration was contacted and they provided
letters of recommendation and answered questions about Streff. “I have no
idea how they found me.”
“When they said my name I had been thinking of all the
teachers that could have easily earned this award.”
She is looking forward to connecting with the network of
educators who have been recognized with the same honor. “This is a
wonderful opportunity. . .I love learning. I am still learning myself to
find the best practices for my students. . .to educate them the best that I
can.”
She hasn’t made firm plans for the money yet, but she has
some ideas including college funds for her kids. She also mentioned
taking a trip for herself and trying to set up a scholarship fund for North
Bend graduates going into education.
Streff didn’t forget to give credit to her Exeter roots, “I
don’t think I would be at the place I am today if I didn’t have the support
from the small community and all the extra-curricular activities I participated
in. I was able to do everything, band, speech, and track. This led
me to be successful at UNL and continued down my journey through education. I’m
thankful for my upbringing in Exeter.”
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