In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we spotlight the JAG Nebraska (Jobs for America’s Graduates) effort and its mission to prepare students for the future. We’re joined by Jessica Hedlund, JAG Nebraska’s Senior Expansion and Onboarding Manager, and Brock Paul, a JAG student leader at Tekamah-Herman Community Schools and the Nebraska State Vice President, to discuss how this transformative program is equipping students with the skills and leadership experiences needed for lifelong success.
Jessi and Brock share insights into the program’s trauma-informed approach, project-based learning curriculum, and employer engagement initiatives, which are driving workforce readiness and leadership development in the JAG students. From fostering communication and soft skills to creating real-world connections with employers, this conversation highlights the statewide impact of JAG.
To learn more about JAG Nebraska, visit, JAG Homepage
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we explore Nebraska’s newly revised 2024 Science Standards with Kellen Conroy of ESU 1 and Dianah Steinbrink of ESU 10, co-leads of the ESU Science Cadre. Kellen and Dianah provide insights into the collaborative process behind updating the standards and the focus on supporting teachers statewide with resources and professional development.
Together, we dive into the evolution of science education in Nebraska, from the 2017 shift to three-dimensional standards to the current updates emphasizing scientific literacy, cross-curricular connections, and equity in instructional support. This conversation highlights how these standards prepare students to think critically and engage as future scientists, engineers, and informed citizens.
Whether you’re a science educator or simply curious about the behind-the-scenes efforts driving educational progress, this episode offers a deep dive into the exciting advancements shaping Nebraska’s classrooms.
In this episode, we take on the critical issue of school safety, featuring insights from Jay Martin, School Safety and Security Director at the Nebraska Department of Education, and Dr. Mike Lucas, Superintendent at Westside Community Schools. Together, we explore how Nebraska schools are enhancing safety through practical measures like secure vestibules and advanced technologies such as ZeroEyes, an AI-based weapon detection system.
From prevention and preparedness to response and recovery, this episode breaks down the key elements driving school safety initiatives across the state.
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, recorded live at the Nebraska MTSS Summit, we explore how the Omaha Tribe Head Start program is transforming early childhood education through the implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). We are joined by Merissa Cruye and Shelsea Bia, who share their inspiring journey of bringing systems-level change to their Head Start program, serving children from six weeks to five years old across four townships on the Omaha Tribe reservation in Nebraska.
Merissa and Shelsea detail how the pandemic revealed gaps in early intervention services and led to a bold commitment to improving outcomes for the children in their program (and their families). They discuss the challenges and successes of integrating MTSS into their support at Omaha Tribe Head Start, including the use of data-driven practices, professional development, and building a foundation of collaboration through tools like CliftonStrengths.
This episode offers a powerful look at how systemic change and a dedicated team can create meaningful improvements for young learners!
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, recorded live at the Nebraska MTSS Summit, we sit down with leaders from Ainsworth Community Schools to discuss their six-year journey of implementing Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). We welcomed Ben Wright (K-6 Principal), Steven Dike (7-12 Principal), Heather Lutter (Middle School ELA Teacher and PBIS Team Leader), and Scott Steinhauser (School Psychologist and SPED Coordinator) to share their experiences fostering a culture of collaboration and student growth through effective interventions and enrichment opportunities.
From reshaping the schedule to accommodate intervention periods to focusing on reading as a foundational skill across all subjects, the Ainsworth team highlights the importance of breaking down silos and building systems that address the whole student. With personal stories of student success and reflections on professional growth, this episode provides valuable insights for educators and administrators looking to implement MTSS in their own districts.
This special three-part episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast was recorded live at the Nebraska MTSS Summit. It’s the first in a series we are doing to highlight the transformative work happening in Nebraska schools through the lens of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). In part one, Amy Rhone, Nebraska’s State Director with the Office of Special Education, and Casey Hurner, the Nebraska MTSS State Coordinator, discuss the importance of building cohesive systems that remove barriers to learning.
Part two features Chris Blecha from Brady Public Schools, as he shares his summit experience and how all stakeholder groups at Brady Schools have coalesced around their shared values and brought that emphasis into how they gather and support kids.
The third and final part of the episode welcomes Teresa Casart, Director of Learning at Louisville Public Schools, for insights into her conference experience and how Louisville’s Language Lab is broadening their ability to meet secondary learners where they are with their literacy skills.
This episode captures the excitement from the summit, featuring stories from educators on the front lines implementing MTSS to support students across the state. Listen in to hear how Nebraska schools are fostering inclusive practices and developing frameworks that empower every student to succeed.
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we dive into how Elm Creek Elementary is using High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) to transform the learning experience in science for their students. Elm Creek Elementary principal Terah Williams and 4th-6th grade science teacher Katie Holland join Dianah Steinbrink of ESU 10 to share their journey with implementing PhD Science. Throughout the episode, listeners will learn how hands-on learning, inquiry-based models, and innovative teaching practices are engaging students in authentic scientific thinking.
Whether you’re an educator looking to enhance your science instruction or are simply curious about new teaching methods, this episode is packed with insights and practical takeaways.
To access the Nebraska Department of Education’s repository of formative tasks for grades 5-8, visit the Science Classroom Formative Task Repository. This is password protected repository, contact NDE for access information.
To learn more about the science support and upcoming science-related events hosted by ESU 10, reach out to ESU 10: Dianah Steinbrink
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we are joined by national keynote speaker and restorative practices expert Ali Hearn, alongside Scott Eckman of Nebraska MTSS, to explore how restorative practices can transform school culture — and to promote the upcoming NeMTSS Summit! Ali shares her experience working with schools nationwide to help students and staff foster connections, build trust, and create safe spaces for students, educators, and learning. The conversation delves into the proactive strategies of restorative practices, the importance of embedding them into multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), and how schools can shift from a reactive to a proactive approach. Scott provides valuable insights into Nebraska’s implementation of these practices and the ongoing efforts to build sustainable systems across the state. We hope you enjoy this thoughtful discussion on reshaping education through restorative practices and creating environments where every student and staff member feels they belong.
This K-12 school team training will help your school form or enhance the team that will focus on identifying, assessing and managing the risk/threat of violence posed by students, staff, and community members toward the school community.
Schools are encouraged to participate with a team of at least 4 members (e.g., administrators, faculty/staff, security or law enforcement partner, and mental health partner). Teams will leave the workshop with sample protocols to adapt for use in their school environment.
This reimbursement opportunity is grant funded and intended to support attendance for approved Threat Assessment Trainings. The district can be reimbursed for hotel, sub, mileage, etc. for up to five team members.
Prerequisite: Need to have taken Threat Assessment – Level I Training
During this one-day training, participants will explore practical threat management strategies for use in school settings. Different interventions will be discussed that are appropriate for use with students or adults/staff.
Effective interventions are built on good information and feedback that can be difficult to obtain due to privacy or legal barriers. Training will include strategies for addressing these barriers.
Participants will enhance their ability to obtain good information via interactions with subjects, witnesses, and targets by enhanced elicitation skill building activities.
Recently, there have been an increasing number of discussions in Nebraska regarding interlocal agreements amongst various organizations and government-funded institutions. To bring clarity to this conversation, the ESU Coordinating Council is sharing the following message to inform Nebraskans on (1) what an interlocal agreement entails and (2) how the ESUCC’s Cooperative Purchasing efforts leverage interlocal agreements to bring millions of dollars in cost-savings benefits to our municipalities and the education community statewide.
What is an interlocal agreement?
An interlocal agreement is a legal agreement between two or more public agencies, including a county, city, village, an agency of the state government, ESUs, or school districts, to cooperate on specific projects or services.
In other words, there are times when a project of service requires coordination and cooperation between multiple jurisdictions, and in those instances, it can make sense to combine resources and expertise to achieve common goals. It’s people working collectively to accomplish goals that they would not be able to achieve as efficiently and/or as cost-effectively without working together.
How does it work?
There are some purchases that are essential expenses for virtually every school district. Things like paper and cleaning supplies might be among the first things that come to mind. But if you consider things like classroom furniture, playground equipment, one-to-one technology – both hardware and software, scoreboards for gyms and fields – the list quickly becomes extensive!
This is where the ESUCC’s Cooperative Purchasing through interlocal agreements helps save districts time and money. Coop Purchasing solicits and negotiates with various vendors on the collective behalf of member districts/entities. As such, districts do not have to spend time with the bidding/negotiating process and can instead focus their efforts on their students, teachers, and learning. Furthermore, by streamlining the collective buying power through a single contract, Nebraska schools can essentially buy in bulk and volume, which lowers the cost of each and every one of these essential items.
What is the extent of these savings?
In the 2021-2022 school year alone, the ESUCC saved Nebraska schools $6.7 million dollars through cooperative purchasing. And over the past five school years, the total is $28.8 million. In this way, interlocal agreements empower school districts across Nebraska to work with the ESUCC to save time, personnel, and monetary resources, together.
