President

“Before beginning my career at UNL in 2012, I was a high school English teacher in and around Chicago for 11 years. I earned my MA in English from Loyola University of Chicago (1999) and my Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Wisconsin, Madison (2012). At UNL, I coordinate the secondary English education where I prepare (along with my amazing colleague Dr. Jillian Harpster) secondary English teachers. This is the beating heart of my work and every day I work with preservice teachers is a privilege. I am so excited to help lead this important re-imagination of NELAC, our NCTE state affiliate. I cannot imagine a more important space for us to connect and share our ideas and grow together as English teachers in Nebraska. We need us.”

Vice President

“Following a rewarding career of teaching English in grades 7 through 12, I currently work as a supervisor of student teachers, which has been a wonderful opportunity to stay connected with today’s educators. My leadership journey began as the English Department chair at Lincoln Southeast High School. I served as the Secondary Section representative to the executive board of the National Council of Teachers of English and have been a member of the Conference on English Leadership (CEL) executive board, serving as executive secretary for the past six years. Volunteering in organizations that serve others and allow me to grow is my personal mission along with traveling, reading and planning my next adventures."

Secretary

“After 20 years of experience teaching high school English, I am now the LPS High School Teacher Leader. My background includes a 2004 degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law, which informed my co-authorship of three books: Law and Literature, The Supreme 15, and The Themes that Bind Us: Simplifying U.S. Supreme Court Cases for the Social Studies Classroom. In my personal life, I enjoy traveling and golfing with my husband and two sons. I am excited to make professional connections in NELAC.”

Treasurer

“I “retired” after 31 years of teaching English and Speech at both the high school and middle school level; the last 23 years at Lincoln Southeast. Additionally, I’ve coached Competitive Speech with successes at multiple levels. I am now a middle school English teacher at St. Michael School in Lincoln, and I will once again be coaching Competitive Speech at Pius X this school year, and I’m looking forward to new challenges! What gets me fired up about teaching is that moment a student realizes they can do something today that they didn’t think they could do! When I’m not teaching or coaching, I love spending time with my wife, Cathy, and my adult children!”

Fall Conference Co-Chair

“I’m originally from north central Nebraska, and attending a small, rural K-12 school continues to inform my work in education. I taught high school English at Lincoln North Star in Lincoln for nearly 10 years. In 2020, I finished my PhD in Education and was invited to work with pre-service Secondary English teachers at UNL. I love working with preservice teachers, and I’m so excited about how NeLAC can help to bring them into the fold of ELA teachers in Nebraska. When I’m not teaching and/or thinking about teaching, I love reading, writing, doing yoga, watching my two kids engage and disrupt the world, and spending time with my partner and our people outside, preferably with a beverage 🙂”

Fall Conference Co-Chair

“I am the English department chair at Lincoln Standing Bear High School. This upcoming school year will be my 8th year of teaching English. I became a teacher because of the profound impact that teachers had on me during tough times of my own schooling career. I love English especially because while it's a study of reading and writing, it's a study of the human experience, and asks students "why" more than "what." I hope to help create a strong community across the state of Nebraska of English teachers and students, to strengthen our teaching of English and language arts as a state.”

Communications Committee Chair

“I'm entering my third year of teaching high school English at Lincoln Public Schools. Outside the classroom, I love taking walks, exploring local coffee shops, enjoying good food, and spending quality time with the people I love most. I’m married to my husband, Josiah, and together we enjoy bike rides, reading, traveling, and working out at our gym. I chose to be a part of NELAC because I believe teachers play a vital role in shaping our world. I’m passionate about helping educators connect, collaborate, and discover new ways to keep their work meaningful and energizing year after year.”

Social Committee Chair

“I was a high school English teacher for 24 years at Lincoln East High School. I am currently the Secondary Reading Coordinator for Lincoln Public Schools. I am a sports fanatic and spend some peaceful—and some raucous—days at our lake cabin with my life partner, Marcus, and his two children, Gavin and Ayla. I choose to be an active part of NELAC because of the professional support and social networking opportunities it provides. “

Social Media Chair

“I’m entering into my 31st year in education.  I spent 27 years in the classroom as a middle school English teacher in Beatrice and Lincoln Public Schools. Three years of that time was also dedicated to teaching Secondary English methods at UNL. Most recently, I am the middle school English teacher leader for Lincoln Public Schools. My husband and I have three busy sons who we are completely in love with. I adore working with new and experienced English teachers, and am involved with NELAC because of the continued professional growth and connections it inspires.“