Gretna teacher earns surprise reward

Gretna, Nebraska – A dedicated elementary school teacher from Gretna received a pleasant surprise in recognition of his efforts in the education field. Mike Jensen, a fifth-grade teacher at Whitetail Creek Elementary School, was awarded $500, ensuring he won’t need to dip into his own funds for classroom necessities for the time being.

Jensen’s journey in education is marked by his unwavering commitment to students. Having dedicated 31 years to Omaha Public Schools, he took a brief break from teaching by retiring. However, the call of the classroom was too strong to resist. Abandoning his retirement, Jensen returned to teaching, this time choosing Whitetail Creek where he has now been molding young minds for the past nine years.

The monetary recognition came as a result of Jensen being nominated for the Pay It Forward campaign, a noble initiative sponsored by First Interstate Bank and promoted by KMTV. 3 News Now Anchor, Zach Williamson, added a touch of drama by making it a surprise visit to hand over the check.

Overwhelmed by the gesture, Jensen expressed his gratitude, saying, “Completely unexpected, it really makes my day.” His humble reaction reflects his dedication, as he added, “I greatly appreciate whoever put my name in and I like being recognized — it’s good.”