The sound of cheers and blaring wind instruments erupted in Zac Konrad’s classroom Thursday morning as school leaders announced the band teacher as the 2027 Nebraska Teacher of the Year.
Konrad’s teaching career began in 2006 as a band teacher in Auburn. He began his current role as band teacher of Papillion Middle School in 2017 and was one of three finalists for this year’s Teacher of the Year award.
“I really do love what I do. I love being a teacher,” Konrad said. “I love working with these students. I just, this is me in my happiest place.”
A panel of Nebraska educators selected Konrad for the annual award. The Teacher of the Year program recognizes the contributions of classroom teachers who are exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, skilled and who have the ability to inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities.
Nebraska Commissioner of Education Brian Maher said Konrad is one of about 27,000 teachers in Nebraska. He described a “rigorous process” for choosing the Teacher of the Year.
“It’s because he develops relationships with students, with faculty, with everybody in this circle,” Maher said. “He believes in community, and not only the community established in this classroom, but the community that you are all part of outside of this school.”
Konrad said his own music teachers greatly inspired him as a child.
“Knowing that I can have that sort of effect on students and be a representative of all the band teachers, music teachers, any sort of, you know, exploratory teacher is really important to me,” Konrad said.
As the 2027 Teacher of the Year, he wants to focus on the “enduring value of relationships in teaching.” He has served as a representative for the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association, on multiple committees and teams for Papillon La Vista Community Schools, and was an ambassador for education for the Metropolitan Omaha Educational Consortium.
Konrad will participate in the National Teacher of the Year competition later this year.
By way of full disclosure, Brian Maher is a commissioner on Nebraska Public Media’s governing board, the Nebraska Educational Telecommunications Commission.