Lincoln, Neb. —
What is your background before coming to the University of Nebraska Lincoln?
I grew up on a small dairy farm in southern Wisconsin and was encouraged toward Agricultural Education through 4-H mentors. I attended the University of Wisconsin-Platteville for my undergrad in Agricultural Education and Biotechnology, and I taught high school agriculture classes in Minnesota for five years before pursuing my doctorate. I got my master's degree from North Dakota State University as a distance student while I was teaching and completed my graduate education at Oregon State University in Education. Most recently, I was a lecturer at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in Agricultural Education.
What is your position at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
I’m an assistant professor on the teacher preparation team in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication. I teach undergrad courses in Agricultural Education including Intro to Ag Ed, Teaching and Learning Design, and Program Planning and graduate courses in Teaching Strategies. I research teacher mobility and newness in the teaching career. I study how teachers learn, and I work to elevate the voices of those doing wonderfully hard work in classrooms every single day.
What drew you to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
The short story is the people. I had interacted with a few of the ALEC faculty at research conferences, so when the opportunity came to come to UNL, applying was a no-brainer. Once I was on campus for an interview though, I was really blown away by the collegiality, opportunities for growth, and support available at UNL.
What aspect of working in an educational setting do you enjoy the most?
First, developing teachers as part of working in an educational setting means your connection to students continues long after the students graduate. You get to support people in a career where you’re always learning and working together. Second, (and I stole this from one of my undergrad professors) “I get to work with a fountain of youth.” I love that image and idea because it means I am constantly getting to work with new ideas and new people to tackle new challenges.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My three kids are my greatest achievement. Sometimes your greatest achievement is someone you help raise. Additionally, every student who has ever sat in my classroom is a great achievement. Their achievements aren’t mine, but every way we have had the opportunity to learn together is a huge achievement.
What is something that most people don’t know about you?
I help host a podcast called, “Owl Pellets: Tips for Ag Teachers.” We digest and regurgitate practical tips from agricultural education research to support practicing ag teachers.
What is your life like outside of work?
A little crazy. I’m married with three kids, so when I’m not at work, I’m picking up kids, jamming out in the car, helping with homework, and driving to activities. We love to travel, especially to National Parks and to visit family in other states. When we are not doing that, I enjoy reading, trying new recipes, and learning Arabic.
