Graduation Year: 2004

Education after High School:

Bachelor’s Degree for Secondary Special Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

Favorite Memory during your time at Bennington Public Schools?

A specific memory I have is cheering for the boys’ basketball team while my older brother was playing.  I would take it so seriously, I would get lectures from the refs for yelling at them too aggressively, I would be heartbroken if they lost, and I would frustrate the other cheerleaders because I would stop mid-cheer to yell or cheer for whatever greatness was happening on the court. It was quite ridiculous and I don’t know how they didn’t kick me off!

How long have you worked for the district? What is your role? Why did you want to work in Bennington?

This is my third year being back as a Badger!  I am the Director of Student Services for our district.  I wanted to work back in Bennington because it is a place I am forever indebted to as it gave me a childhood that I have nothing but positive memories and feelings from.  I wanted to come back and help it grow but keep the close-knit community feel.

What do you enjoy about serving students in the same district you graduated from?

I enjoy the constant pride I get to have in my job, the district and the community as a whole.  I loved growing up here and the school and my classmates were my second family and second home. I hope that the students we serve today and continue to serve can look back and feel the same way about their opportunities here.

Other family members who are Bennington alumni? 

My older sister, Shanna – 2000

My older brother, Cole – 2002

My younger brother, Connor – 2007

I also had three cousins graduate from here as well!

Are there any teachers in particular who made a great impact on your education?

Oh my goodness, so many!

I absolutely loved Coach Baldwin.  He was one of the best men I ever had the opportunity to play sports for and learn from.

Coach Saunders was a teacher and coach that I looked up to greatly, I will still catch myself repeating her words, “Excuses are for losers.”

Mrs. Klaus, who coached me in cheerleading, was my 4th grade teacher and I was her teacher assistant in high school, was always a cheerleader of mine. I have nothing but the fondest of memories with her!

Tell us about your family now!

I have been married for seven years to my husband, Kyle, who is a Real Estate Agent with Nebraska Realty.  We have two beautiful, silly, full of joy little girls; Londyn (4) and Sloane (2).  Londyn will be in Kindergarten next year.  Through her, and my job, I have had the honor of working with and assisting in developing our ever growing early childhood program that she has gotten to be a part of for the last two years, which has been so exciting!  I see what a difference Bennington Public Schools has made in my daughter’s life and she hasn’t even entered Kindergarten yet. That provides such a spark of joy for me personally and professionally.  Having these unique experiences just solidifies that working for and living in Bennington again was the best decision for our family and something I will have forever pride in!