Member Shout-Outs
Anthony Anderson
Lincoln Northeast High SchoolI am rejuvenated every day by getting to know my students and forming relationships with them, having academic conversations with them that always end up helping me rethink or reframe ideas I have, and watching my students grow as learners and as people. I’m a data person, too, so when I see positive trends in school achievement data, I am also ecstatic about the results and eager to start working toward a new goal.
I would say the advice I have for future English teachers is a hard one to swallow: you are not the explainer of texts. You have to be willing to let students do some hard thinking and, maybe, not leave a text with everything you want them to know. The most important thing is getting them engaged with the complex ideas a text presents and the critical thinking those ideas engender.
“Anthony is the instructional leader of our team at Northeast. He never settles for "good enough." He consistently pushes his students and us to seek improvement. I appreciate his commitment to growth in reading and writing. I love that he sees the talents that each person in our department brings to the table. There is no one I'd rather work for. He challenges every member of this team and seeks to balance that challenge with support and encouragement. It's fun to be a member of the LNE English department. I had worries about fit and cohesion when I was coming into this building, but Anthony dispelled those. He is friendly and generous, he seeks out connection with each member of our department, and he makes us feel like a team, not just a bunch of individuals. It's easy for chairs to get too busy for their department, but he makes a lot of time for us, and I don't ever feel that he is unapproachable.” [Anonymous colleague]
“Anthony is a data-driven leader, leading the LNE English department in using student assessment data to drive instructional planning and intervention development. Anthony's organized and focused approach to continuous improvement, while honoring the expertise of teachers, drives a positive and successful culture with student learning at the center.” [Principal Liz Miller]
Chase Magnett
Omaha North High Magnet SchoolSomething that brings me joy as a teacher is waking up every morning wondering what wonderful adventures a new day writing, reading, and discussing the world with students will bring.
Remember who you come to school to serve. Administrators, parents, co-workers, etc. will all demand your time and attention, but we are here to serve our students before anyone else.
Chase is so strong in making connections with complex issues with students. The way he discusses things makes me wish I could be a student in his class, even if only for a while. He brings a passion and excitement to teaching I'm glad I get to witness, and uses free moments throughout the day to really connect with students in his class and in the halls. North is so lucky to have him as a teacher. Chase has been the BEST grade level team partner for my first year at North. He has been supportive, kind, inclusive, and I really appreciate his efforts in making me feel welcome. [Anonymous Colleague]
Mr. Magnett goes above and beyond to support seniors as they make it to graduation, always showing up with care and commitment. Also, his passion for lifting up student voices and helping them express themselves through creative writing and North High's literary magazine really inspires confidence and imagination among his students. [Christopher Humphries Ed.S., Principal, Omaha North High]
Cyndy Maddux
Lincoln North Star High SchoolWhat brings me the most joy as a teacher? Getting to be with the young people every day. Although I am a woman of a "certain age," I know the kids help keep my persepctive from becoming geriatric. I love the humor, insights, kindness, and passions they share with me daily. In a time when there are so many things in the world evoking despair, my students always inspire hope for the future in me. My greatest wish is that they learn as much from me as I learn from them, but I don't think that may even be possible...
If I had one piece of advice to give to new teachers it would be to remember you are the only person in the room with a high , school diploma and college degree. It can sometimes be fir intimidating when you start your career, but you are the adult in the room. Every year will get easier, and there are icolleagues who are always willing to help you.
“ELA attracts some of the brightest minds in education, and Cyndy Maddux is the absolute best of them. She is incredibly sharp, quick-witted, and intellectually gifted, yet she remains one of the most approachable colleagues I’ve known. She shares her brilliance generously, making everyone in her orbit a better teacher. Cyndy Maddux never gate-keeps good ideas. She's a top-tier curriculum organizer and thoughtful planner, and whether you're stuck in a rut or brand new to the profession, she treats you like an equal and shares her expertise. Her contributions make us all better educators.” [Sydney Jensen, Lincoln High School (2019 Nebraska Teacher of the Year)]
“Cyndy is a student-focused teacher. She really cares about her students and creates an atmosphere where they thrive.” [Megan Kroll, Principal of Lincoln North Star High School, LPS]
Dr. Sarah Staples-Farmer
Lincoln East High SchoolTo be completely “real”, I love summers. What a gift to have time to learn, take classes, to plan, to collaborate, and have days to reflect on the year prior and to lay new plans for the next. I’m not sure another profession allows for that devoted time to analyze, meditate, and strategize. For example, I will be teaching Sports Literature next year for the first time and my goal is to amp up that curriculum to give kids opportunities to shine, not only as readers, but also as interviewers, journalists, podcasters, and researchers. Teaching consumes our time so much during the school year, but then we have summer: actual days to ourselves to innovate, to reinvent, and to replenish depleted stores from the year prior. Summertime isn’t “off time”; summertime is “our time.” It’s like our own annual mini-sabbatical.
New Teachers: Undeniably, you will be tested: will you or will you not remain in this field? Please stay. Longevity will depend on your ability to shift, to change, to transition, and to work on growth. And growth takes WERK. Commit to attend NCTE every or every other year; seek an advanced degree; get on a curriculum writing committee; position yourself to help make decisions. Engage. Become entrenched in school culture. Socialize with students: chaperone a dance, attend events, sponsor, coach--just be present for the kids and they will sustain you. They will keep you young, hip, and cool.
“Sarah has been HARD at it for 30 years teaching in the classroom. I continue to meet former students and parents of students who tell me how influential she was as a teacher. American Literature and AP language are her strengths where she infuses her teaching with significant texts that cover the critical issues of post-colonialism, feminism, and all matters of social justice. Sarah has been crushing it in the classroom for decades and is an amazing role model for kids. No one is more deserving!” [Ken Flowerday]
“Sarah is a highly effective teacher who maintains a classroom environment that is consistently on task, well supported, and academically demanding. She builds strong, respectful relationships with her students while upholding high expectations for learning and performance. Her deep knowledge of the English curriculum and genuine passion for the subject are essential to her students’ success and are evident in her purposeful instruction and commitment to supporting their post secondary goals.” [Casey Fries, Principal of Lincoln East HIgh School]