Great mentors and teachers have inspired my journey as a learner and an educator. I am humbled to be in a distinguished group of mathematics and science teachers who ignite curiosity and inspire joy in the hearts of our nation’s students each day. The Presidential Award celebrates outstanding teachers that impart the critical thinking and problem solving skills necessary to navigate our world. The award applauds the hard work my students have done as they strive to reach their potential.

Shelby Aaberg Scottsbluff, NE | 7-12, Mathematics, 2013

The official biography below was current at the time of the award. For this awardee's latest biographical information, see their profile page.

Shelby Aaberg has taught mathematics at Scottsbluff High School (SHS) since 2006. From 2004 to 2006, he taught mathematics at Westside High School in Omaha, NE. Shelby serves as the mathematics department chair at SHS where he teaches Advanced Placement (AP) Statistics, AP Calculus AB, Precalculus, and a problem solving class to freshmen through seniors. Shelby teaches graduate courses at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL) in statistics pedagogy for high school teachers and proportional reasoning for elementary teachers. He is the first vice-president of the Nebraska Association of Teachers of Mathematics. Shelby coaches the math club at SHS and also coaches sprinters on the track team.  He blogs about teaching mathematics at http://mathleticism.net. Shelby is the 2015 Nebraska Teacher of the Year.  He has also received the 2009 Siemens Award for Advanced Placement Teaching, the 2005 Raytheon Math Hero Award, and the 2004 Nebraska State Education Association Rookie of the Year Award. Shelby has a B.S.Ed. in secondary education from UNL and an M.A.T. in mathematics education from the University of Nebraska – Omaha. Currently an Ed.D. student in curriculum, teaching, and professional development at UNL, Shelby is a National Board Certified Teacher in early adolescent mathematics. He holds certifications in English as a second language in grades K-12, and assessment in grades pre-K-12.

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