By Scout Nelson
Gina Wiitanen of Omaha has been named the 2026 Nebraska Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) Teacher of the Year by the Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB) Foundation. She was recognized in a surprise school assembly on Feb. 11 for her innovative approach to teaching agriculture.
“The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation is thrilled to honor Gina Wiitanen, a teacher who is deeply committed to connecting students to agriculture,” said Brooke Carpenter, NEFB Foundation director of education. “She brings creative, interactive learning into the classroom, helping students see how agriculture applies to STEM and everyday life.”
Wiitanen serves as STEM coordinator and math interventionist at Upchurch STEM Elementary School in Omaha. She brings agriculture into lessons to make learning fun, immersive, and meaningful.
“As Upchurch opened as a STEM school this year, we recognized the importance of providing students with meaningful, real-world contexts for their learning,” said Wiitanen. “Integrating agriculture into our STEM programming allowed students to see how science, math, engineering, and technology are applied in everyday careers and industries that impact their lives.”
Through her partnership with AITC, Wiitanen brings agriculture to life for her students. Lessons go beyond textbooks — students calculate grain components like real farmers and ranchers, design and build sieves in engineering workshops, and participate in live demonstrations.
Her students also tackle real-world challenges. When a fellow teacher reported missing cattle on a family farm, students used drone technology to develop strategies to locate the cows, learning how modern tools are applied in agriculture.
“These experiences help students see the relevance of what they learn in the classroom and how it connects to real-life careers,” said Wiitanen. “They also broaden students’ understanding of agriculture, showing that careers extend beyond farming and ranching to include engineering, technology, manufacturing, and food production.”
Wiitanen received a $250 cash prize, STEM kits for her classroom, and an all-expense-paid trip to Providence, Rhode Island, in June for the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference.
“I’m definitely excited and very honored that Upchurch STEM Elementary could be recognized for our efforts in introducing agriculture to our elementary students,” said Wiitanen. “I just want to thank all the kiddos for joining us on this adventure this year.”
Photo Credit: nebraska-farm-bureau
Categories: Nebraska, Education, Livestock, Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle