Boise State’s College of Education, along with the Pesky family, will honor two local K-12 teachers with the 14th annual Pesky Award for Inspirational Teaching at the university’s Winter Commencement ceremony on Dec. 14, 2024. The award was founded in 2010 by Alan and Wendy Pesky.
This year’s selected teachers are Benjamin Ott, a biology, chemistry and physical science teacher at Les Bois Junior High in Boise and Nicole Rapp, a second grade teacher at Taft Elementary in Boise.
The award includes $2,000 for each honoree, and $500 is awarded to their respective schools. Ott and Rapp will be introduced by Boise State President Marlene Tromp on stage at the afternoon commencement ceremony and presented with their awards by College of Education Dean James Satterfield, Jr.
“We are proud to recognize outstanding teachers like Benjamin and Nicole for their passion and dedication to their students,” Satterfield said. “We thank them both for the mentorship they provide in their classrooms to our Boise State teacher candidates.”
“My wife Wendy and I established The Pesky Award for Inspirational Teaching to recognize the critical role teachers play in our society,” said Alan Pesky. “It is my pleasure to recognize this years honorees, Benjamin Ott and Nicole Rapp.”
Benjamin Ott
Throughout a distinguished 25-year career as a teacher, Benjamin Ott has taught a wide range of science courses through hands-on lessons, fostering critical thinking in his students and inspiring future science educators. Ott serves as a mentor teacher to Boise State secondary teacher candidates, as well as mentoring newly-hired teachers at Les Bois Junior High and in the Boise School District. Ott is recognized for his commitment to his students, curriculum development, lesson design and his eye toward the future of science education.
“Les Bois junior high is a great school with so many amazing people. Our students are passionate about so many things,” Ott said. “I was taught that the best thing you can do in life is to give back and help others. Teaching is one of the ways I work to give back to my community.”
Nicole Rapp
A teacher for 30 years, Nicole Rapp was inspired to become an educator from her grandmother, a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse, and several aunts who followed in her footsteps. At Taft Elementary for 17 years, Rapp goes above and beyond to create a welcoming environment for her second grade multilingual classroom, helping students grow as learners and as human beings, allowing students from different backgrounds to effectively learn content while learning a new language. Also a mentor to Boise State teacher candidates, Rapp’s student teachers graduate with strong teaching skills and confidence. Known as a collaborator and a committed colleague at Taft, Rapp has inspired many educators in the local community.
“It is a privilege to be teaching alongside phenomenal staff who go above and beyond supporting our students and their families,” Rapp said. “I love teaching in such a unique school where families and community partners join together to make a tremendous impact on our students.”