By Tyler Dahlgren

The parking lot of Nebraska City High School was full and droves of educators, nearly 700 in total, flocked to ESU 4’s Engaging Educators Conference last Monday.

They came from all directions, hoofing it down Central Ave before climbing a set of steps and entering the school, where they were met with an undeniable buzz. This conference, which NPSA has featured and presented at before, is a wintertime tradition in southeast Nebraska. 

Engaging Educators is a beloved professional development opportunity, a chance for attendees to recharge and reconnect.

The headline attraction for the 2026 conference was undoubtedly Gerry Brooks, a nationally renowned speaker and principal with a huge social media following, including 2.5 million followers on Facebook. Known for his "in the trenches" humor and authentic perspective on the daily life of an educator, Brooks is famous in the teacher’s sphere.

Jen Madison, a Teaching and Learning Team Specialist with ESU 4, noted that the excitement was palpable even a couple hours before Brooks walked into the gymnasium.

"There was one person who was here over an hour and a half early," Madison shared. "She asked where Gerry was going to present, sat in the very front row, and she was just giddy. That made my day."

ESU 4 Administrator Gregg Robke echoed this sentiment, highlighting that Brooks’ appeal lies in his authenticity. Whether it’s navigating the complexities of a cafeteria or the nuances of parent-teacher conferences, Brooks speaks a language fellow educators understand. This relatability allowed the day to begin on an often-hilarious highnote. 

Engaging Educators isn't a new fixture. Its roots go back decades within the ESU 4 service area. After a brief hiatus, it was revived in 2018 at the request of local superintendents. The goal was simply to create a space where smaller districts could access high-level speakers and networking opportunities that might be out of reach individually.

"The winter seems to be a time when there is kind of this long stretch," Madison explained. "It’s a nice time to maybe take a deep breath and learn with colleagues."

Engaging Educators is inclusive by design, and the crowd isn't limited to classroom teachers. Also in attendance were classified staff, paraprofessionals, maintenance crews, and school leaders. With about 40 different breakout sessions, there’s always something for everybody.

“Having everybody together and seeing them learning from and with one another and enjoying each other's company, that’s super cool for our team,” Madison said. “It’s just a fun day.”

For ESU 4 administrator Gregg Robke, the value of these sessions is found in the "teaching stuff,” conversations that can only happen between peers who understand the unique landscape of Nebraska education.

"I don’t know that you can put a value on something like this," Robke said. "They get to laugh a little bit. They get to have some serious thoughts and conversations. Ultimately, we hope they learn something new that they can do tomorrow. One thing about one thing."

The logistical feat of moving 700 people through a high school on a typically-tight conference schedule is no small task, either. There were more on-site registrants than usual too, and organizers had to bring extra chairs into the gym for Brooks’ keynote.

Madison and Robke were quick to credit the hospitality of Nebraska City Public Schools and the tireless work of the ESU 4 team. Planning for the next year typically begins just a month or two after the current conference concludes.

As the conference wrapped up, the buzz that attendees felt upon entering remained. In a profession that can sometimes feel isolating, spent within the four walls of a single classroom, Engaging Educators is a yearly reminder that these teachers in southeast Nebraska are part of a much larger, supportive ecosystem.

The move to Nebraska City High School was a resounding success, proving that while the location may change, the heart of the event remains the same. Invaluable networking, lots of laughter, and a shared passion for student success. 

That’s what Engaging Educators is all about.