District 6 Representative Sherry Jones
Winter 2024-25 Highlights
Newly-Appointed Deputy Commissioner
Dr. Jane Stavem has been selected as a Deputy Commissioner of Education. She has most recently served as the superintendent of the Sioux Falls School District in South Dakota. Dr. Stavem has Nebraska roots serving in the Lincoln Public Schools, Blair Community Schools, and Columbus Public Schools. As Deputy Commissioner, she will provide leadership and guidance for the day-to-day operations of the Nebraska Department of Education, providing administrative support to Commissioner Maher. Dr. Stavem is expected to join NDE staff in July. Welcome back to the Good Life!
Nebraska’s Strategic Plan
Nebraska’s Strategic Plan, created in 2017, is set to expire in 2026. As defined by AI, a strategic plan is a roadmap that defines an organization's long-term goals and outlines the actions needed to achieve them, encompassing vision, mission, values, and measurable objectives. This guiding document will assist the Board and the NDE in setting educational priorities for the future. Members of the public are invited to offer input via a survey. The NDE Strategic Plan Survey can be accessed through April 4th at http://www. education.ne.gov/
Teacher Recruitment and Retention Update
In my fall highlights, I reported on the work being done through the Legislature, NDE, and Board of Education to address the teacher shortage. Last month, NDE shared information from the 2024-25 Teacher Vacancy Survey Report which shows a positive trend in teacher recruitment and retention. At the beginning of the 2024-25 school year, Nebraska reported 669 unfilled teaching positions (908 in 2023-24) with two hundred of those remaining vacant (362 in 2023-24) with the balance being filled with individuals not fully qualified. According to the survey, the endorsement areas with the greatest shortages are special education, elementary education, career education areas, mathematics, and speech-language pathology. We recognize there is still work to be done.
The Nation’s Report Card
Last month, NDE staff presented the latest results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) to board members.The NAEP is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what students in public and private schools in the United States know and are able to do in various subjects. Since 1969, NAEP has been a common measure of student achievement across the country. Eight thousand Nebraska students participated in this year’s exams. NAEP scores declined in most subjects both nationally and in Nebraska again this year. Nebraska’s average math score is 238 for fourth grade, down four points from 2022 but one point higher than the national average. Nebraska’s eighth grade math score is 280, one point higher than 2022 and eight points higher than the national average. Nebraska’s average reading score is 212 for fourth grade, seven points lower than 2022 and two points lower than the national average. Nebraska’s eighth grade reading score is 256, three points lower than 2022 and one point lower than the national average. The 2024 full NAEP report card can be viewed at: http://www.nationsreportcard.gov/ Milken Educator Award Recipient
Congratulations to Dexter Hanzel, a Neligh-Oakdale Junior/Senior High School teacher, who received the prestigious Milken Educator Award including a $25,000 cash prize. Hanzel, a Science and Math teacher, was honored for his “commitment to excellence in education and ability to create powerful, creative learning opportunities for students”. This award has been given since 1987. I’d also like to recognize Jamie Sehi, vocal music teacher, for the heart-warming patriotic song she led students in singing. It was a buttonpopping day for the Warriors!
Time to Nominate for Nebraska TOY
TOY is an acronym for Teacher of the Year. Do you know of a Nebraska teacher you would like to recognize for their hard work and dedication to the children of our state? The Nebraska Department of Education is seeking nominations for the 2026 Nebraska Teacher of the Year. Anyone can nominate a teacher online at https://nde.qualtrics.com/ jfe/form/SV_1YTlT9ym8kxqFcG The nomination process is short and simple. Last year, there were over 100 nominations submitted. There are many amazing teachers in SBOE District 6. Please consider nominating one of them for Nebraska’s TOY.
Upcoming SBOE Meeting
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the State Board of Education will be held on Friday, April 4, at 9 a.m. in Lincoln. The NDE office building is located at 500 S. 84th Street. Committee meetings will be held on Thursday, April 3.
For NE Kids, Sherry Jones, email address: [email protected] Anyone wishing to view past monthly SBOE business meetings may do so at www.education.ne.gov/ stateboard/ On the left side of the page click on Video Archives.
‘ Science of’ virtual webinar series returns
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s popular “Science of” virtual webinar series returns March 20 with the theme Kangaroo Rats.
In this series, on select Thursdays at 3 p.m. Central Time, Game and Parks educators discuss some of the science behind common things regarding nature and animals.
The hourlong webinars are free, but separate registration is required for each. See the calendar event entries at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska. gov for registration links.
Children are unpredictable. You never know what inconsistency they're going to catch you in next. — Franklin P. Jones
