Gretna East teacher selected as Battey Award recipient

Ranae Duncan, a journalism adviser and English teacher at Gretna East High School, has received the Freda Battey Distinguished Educator Award, presented by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln's College of Education and Human Sciences.

Established in 1986, the Battey Award honors the life and career of Freda Drath Battey, a 1923 graduate of Nebraska’s Teachers College and longtime public school teacher in Ashland, Nebraska. It recognizes teaching excellence, efforts to continue to grow as a teacher, commitment to students, and engagement with students outside the classroom.

“This was truly an honor that I never expected,” Duncan said. “My students growing up and succeeding, and possibly using the things I taught them, whether it be curriculum related or a life lesson, is all the reward I seek. It was quite humbling to be recognized in such a way.”

Duncan has taught English and journalism in the Omaha area for more than 14 years, setting an example for students and teachers alike. In their letters of support, fellow teachers and administrators described her as a program builder.

“Ms. Duncan is responsive to student and staff needs, consistently makes real-world connections so they see the relevancy of what they are learning, and is flexible and adaptable in her plans and instruction,” said Natalie Peterson, a curriculum specialist at Omaha Bryan High School, where Duncan taught for 12 years. “In addition, she is enthusiastic about sharing new information and practices with her colleagues while continuing to tend to her own professional development through conferences and a master’s degree in journalism education.”

Duncan was honored as the 2020 Alice Buffett Outstanding Educator Award recipient and was the runner-up for the 2019 Nebraska High School Press Association's Adviser of the Year Award. Since 2017, she has served as a lead judge for National Student Media Contests for the Journalism Education Association. She has also served on the association's awards committee since 2020.

One of her former students, Justin Diep, went on to be named the 2023 Nebraska High School Journalist of the Year. He is now a sophomore in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications at Nebraska.

“Mrs. Duncan’s passion for her students remains unmatched by any other teacher I’ve had,” Diep said. “She laid the foundation for who I am today. She taught me everything I know about journalism and encouraged me to constantly improve while she was my adviser.”

Duncan earned her bachelor’s degree in secondary education with endorsements in English and journalism from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2009. She completed her master’s degree in media and journalism from Kent State University in May.

“The words my students and colleagues through the years said about me truly made me speechless and made my eyes well up, and I’m not a crier, so that says a lot,” Duncan said. “I’m used to being the one giving the praise. I credit my journalism students for their hard work and awards they receive, so being on the receiving end of praise in such a grand fashion was a bit awkward for me, but it meant the world.”

Duncan was honored at an Oct. 11 reception during which Battey’s family presented her with an inscribed school bell. She and Gretna East High School will receive cash awards. 

Learn more about the Battey Award.