By Tyler Dahlgren Room 109 flanks the entrance to Central Elementary in Fairbury, an unassuming space that has housed study halls and make-up exams in years past. The small room blended in quite ordinarily with all the rest, rarely drawing as much as a second glance from passers-by. As Kim Roberts was preparing for her first year as principal of Central Elementary this past summer, she did...Read More
By Tyler Dahlgren There’s career fairs, and then there’s the Highway 91 Career Fair. Pride runs thick along the 32-mile stretch of highway connecting the small, charming towns of Humphrey, Leigh, Clarkson, Howells and Dodge. So, too, do opportunities, as evident by the 100 local businesses and organizations that spent last Wednesday with 330 students from five high schools. “I had no idea what I...Read More
By Tyler Dahlgren The lunch rush is coming. If you’ve ever worked in a restaurant, you know that it always is. Preparation is half the battle, the foundation to a successful day, and there’s not a minute to spare. The kitchen at Great Western Dining on the campus of Southeast Community College in Beatrice operates like a well-oiled machine. You don’t just earn 4.7 stars on Google without a high...Read More
*This is a guest piece from Grand Island Public Schools Communications Specialist Kelli Mayhew GRAND ISLAND (Neb.) — The classroom grew from desks to barns and sunshine for over 700 third graders at Grand Island Public Schools, as they explored the state’s largest classroom that is the Nebraska State Fair. Third grade classes from Engleman Elementary and Jefferson Elementary, among others, were...Read More
By Tyler Dahlgren More than 220 educators from six Southwest Nebraska districts gathered in McCook Thursday morning for ESU 15’s Fall Kickoff, an annual daylong workshop with a rotating theme. This year’s event came a few days before schools across the state welcomed students back into their buildings, and there was a tangible buzz in a packed E-Free Church. “We’re all excited, because there’s a...Read More
By Tyler Dahlgren A paintbrush hanging from her right hand, senior Elizabeth Bray stands at the foot of an undeniably pink square of pavement and admires a 2010 Honda Odyssey that’ll call this space home from now through May. “That’s my minivan,” Bray nods with jest. “That’s Betsy. Two-hundred-thousand miles and still going strong. She’s reliable.” Betsy’s new spot is one of 122 colorfully-...Read More
By Tyler Dahlgren Clare Willis is entering her senior year at Shelby-Rising City High School, where she golfs and participates in One-Act, band, choir, Student Council and National Honor Society. Yes, Willis wears many hats, but there’s only one that makes her shake her head and laugh. “I’m the mascot for Homecoming, like the actual person inside the husky suit,” she admits with a slight touch of...Read More
By Tyler Dahlgren Since NPSA's inception back in 2016, we've been tasked with telling some incredible stories. Behind those stories, of course, are incredible people, and that's what has made this mission a thorough joy. You meet students and educators who reinforce your very purpose, and that's invigorating. As a writer, it's motivating. And as a writer, you really can't ask for anything more...Read More
By Kelli Mayhew, GIPS Communications Coordinator Student success, in every aspect, is a top priority for Tracy Claassen. As a paraprofessional skills trainer in Grand Island Public Schools’ Project SEARCH program, Claassen works with students to further develop life and job skills. No matter how small the accomplishment or growth, Claassen celebrates students. Project SEARCH is a one-year school-...Read More
By Tyler Dahlgren He’s principal at Adams Central Junior/Senior High now, but back in the fall of 2016, Scott Harrington was teaching government to upperclassmen at Norris. Each year, he’d take his students over to the Capitol for an up-close look at the Unicameral. On my second day at NCSA, executive director Dr. Mike Dulaney spoke to Harrington’s class there on legislation, lobbying, and the...Read More