Participants

Cohort 2

Brenna Alonso
Biography

Brenna Alonso

Brenna Alonso is an instructional coordinator at Lincoln North Star High School, a diverse high school on the north side of Lincoln with more than 2,000 students, serving students from 37 different birth countries with 36 different home languages spoken. Brenna graduated from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln with her Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education K-12 Art, and earned her Master of Educational Leadership through Doane University. Before her current role, she served in various leadership roles, including Art Department Chair, SIP Co-Chair and Native American Success Coach.
Shera Baumel
Biography

Shera Baumel

Shera Baumel has worked with Omaha Public School District for the past four years, teaching ceramic arts at Omaha South High School. Originally from Omaha, she earned her bachelor’s degrees at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and is working on her graduate degree at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Shera is developing a home ceramic studio, aiming to step out of her comfort zone this year by showing some of her work and possibly begin participating in some makers markets.
Ethan Carlson
Biography

Ethan Carlson

Ethan Carlson is a business educator at Bay High Focus Program in Lincoln Public Schools — one of the newest choice options for upper-level high school students. The focus program is built on integrating entrepreneurship, creative media, and journalism to develop the next generation of adaptable leaders and creatives needed in our technological age. In addition to participating in Art TEAMs, Ethan will graduate with his Master of Arts in Education in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in summer 2024. He looks forward to integrating art education principles into business curriculum.
Kayla DeSersa
Biography

Kayla DeSersa

Kayla DeSersa is an eighth grade art teacher at Adams Middle School in North Platte, Nebraska. She earned her bachelor’s degree in K-12 art education from Chadron State College. In her free time, Kayla enjoys time with her husband and two fur babies, caring for her chickens and garden, reading or making a mess with clay in her studio.
DeAnn Hanish
Biography

DeAnn Hanisch

DeAnn Hanisch has taught art at Omaha Public Schools since 2001. Originally from northwest Iowa, she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in ceramics and a Master of Science in comprehensive arts education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, along with an English as a Second Language endorsement from Concordia University. DeAnn has actively contributed to district curriculum and professional development initiatives with the goal of fostering the continual growth and enhancement of art education within the learning community.
Brent Jarosz
Biography

Brent Jarosz

Brent Jarosz is a business educator at Bay High Focus Program in Lincoln Public Schools. Bay High is one of LPS’s great focus program for high school students. Bay High Focus Program is built on entrepreneurship, creative media and journalism to develop the next generation of leaders and creatives. Brent believes students need different options on how to do different things within schools. His students have had opportunities to make pitches to CEO’s, work on advertising for local businesses and promote change within the community also.
Jen Liebenthal
Biography

Jen Liebenthal

Jen Liebenthal, a former social worker turned art educator, brings a unique perspective to teaching. Known for her choice-based approach, she inspires students through empowering their voices and choices. Drawing on her background in counseling, Jen fosters student ownership and independence in the classroom. She holds an art endorsement from Metropolitan Community College, a degree in counseling from Grace University and a Master of Teaching from College of Saint Mary's. Jen has transitioned seamlessly into teaching, aiming to utilize social emotional tools in the classroom to guide students through their art making process.
Bailey Mason
Biography

Bailey Mason

Bailey Mason is a native of North Platte, Nebraska, where she serves as an art educator at North Platte High School. With a passion for a wide range of artistic techniques and materials, Bailey has taught a variety of classes for the past seven years, and has sponsored the NPHS Art Club for three years. Known for her unwavering dedication to her students, Bailey also finds time to create and design for local fundraisers and events. In her free time, Bailey enjoys caring for her extensive collection of plants, experimenting with new media and cooking, as well as enjoying time with her husband, two children, parents and in-laws.
Yvonne Meyer
Biography

Yvonne Meyer

Yvonne Meyer teaches photography in the art department at Lincoln High School. Nurturing and empowering students is her primary purpose followed closely by a passion for ecological gardening. She didn’t choose to be an educator until her 40s after many different careers in direct care human service — CNA, adult day care program assistant, youth treatment specialist — and has always loved being a supportive part of people’s journey towards growth and healing. Yvonne earned her Bachelor of Arts in sociology, anthropology and philosophy, and her Master of Fine Arts in photography. She also holds a post baccalaureate K-12 art education endorsement. In her free time, Yvonne enjoys nature, particularly traveling to Lake Vermillion in northern Minnesota. She also enjoys learning new skills from YouTube and manages the Orchard Street Pocket Prairie and its Facebook page as a resource and inspiration for others wanting to check out ecological gardening.
Jennifer Hoss-Miller
Biography

Jennifer Hoss-Miller

Jennnifer Hoss-Miller has been an art teacher with Millard Public Schools since 2011. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and earned her master’s degree in teaching from College of St. Mary in Omaha, Nebraska. She has a passion for teaching art and believes all students can be artists. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys reading, exploring new art materials and spending time with her husband, daughter and dogs.
Christina Morse
Biography

Christina Morse

Christina Morse is a first-year elementary teacher in Lincoln Public Schools. She aims to create a creative, welcoming and calming classroom to support the needs of her students' well-being. In her spare time, Christina enjoys reading, mountain biking and time with her family.
Janelle Otzel
Biography

Janelle Otzel

Janelle Otzel is an eighth grade careers teacher at Adams Middle School in North Platte, Nebraska. She earned her bachelor's degree in 6-12 business and 6-8 mathematics, then earned her master’s degree in Instructional Technology, with an emphasis in information technology. In her free time, Janelle enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, hiking and crafting.
Brooke Phillips
Biography

Brooke Phillips

Brooke Phillips is a veteran teacher and Director of Theatre at Millard West High School. Her awards include “Outstanding Theatre Teacher of the Year” from the Nebraska Thespians organization in 2015 and 2019, “Outstanding Musical” by the O-PA, Nebraska High School Theatre Academy multiple times, one Jimmy Awards Representative in New York and many National Finalists, as well as “Outstanding School (2020)” and “Inspirational Educator of the Year (2024)” by the Educational Theatre Association. Brooke earned her bachelor’s degree in theater and English education at Nebraska Wesleyan University, and earned her master’s degree in secondary education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. This is Brooke’s sixth full year as the Director of Theater for Millard West High School.
Grace Trumler
Biography

Grace Trumler

Grace Trumler is a Lincoln Public Schools first grade teacher at Lakeview Elementary School. She has been teaching since 2022. She had always dreamed of becoming a teacher and watching the growth of all of those around her. Grace loves her husband, Reed; dog, Reggie; and cat, Bepo. She enjoys time with her family and friends, as well as traveling, playing cards, climbing, being in the fresh air (not bugs) and learning.
Allison Van Haren
Biography

Allison Van Haren

Allison Van Haren will be a first-year family and consumer sciences teacher at Elkhorn Valley View Middle School for the 2024-25 school year. She loves the creativity and life skills her content offers to students. Van Haren loves playing Mario Party and has collected every release of the game.
Anna Watson
Biography

Anna Watson

Anna Watson has been teaching since 2022, in fifth and first grades. She currently teaches first grade at Holmes Elementary School in Lincoln, Nebraska. Anna is an innovative thinker and loves to create things for and with her students. In her free time, she enjoys spending time in nature, puzzling and quality time with her fiancé.
Philep Willey
Biography

Philep Willey

Philep Willey teaches video production, digital media, information technology and photography at North Platte High School. He previously participated in the Art/Act:Educate Fellowship at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and looks forward to constructivist video projects that bring together his students, other departments and community. Philep is pursuing his doctorate in education with a focus on Innovative Learning Technologies at UNL.

Cohort 1

Jessica Davis
Maggie Elsener
Biography

Maggie Elsener

Maggie Elsener is an artist and interdisciplinary art educator for the Arts & Humanities Focus Program for Lincoln Public Schools. She alternates between the worlds of being the Jane of all trades that art education requires, creating her own multimedia and mixed media work, collecting tropical house plants and visiting as many state and national parks as she can.
Kate Gracie
Biography

Kate Gracie

Kate Gracie is an art teacher with Lincoln Public Schools. She helps students share their stories and experiences through art making. Gracie’s husband is an artist and together they have collaborated on projects. She has exhibited work locally and nationally. Along with a love of art, Gracie enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with her husband, son and australian shepherd, Maggie.
Cayleen Green
Biography

Cayleen Green

Cayleen Green is a creator, collaborator and DJ from Louisiana. She brings her experience from the music industry and the non-profit space to Lincoln’s focus program, Bay High, as a Youth Development Specialist. Green is currenly earning her master's degree specializing in Innovative Learning Technologies at UNL.
Sarah Holz
Biography

Sarah Holz

Sarah Holz has been teaching fifth grade in Lincoln Public Schools since 2016. Prior to working in Lincoln, she taught in both upstate New York and in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She has enjoyed art throughout her more than 20 years of marriage with her husband, who is an artist. She is excited to create her own work and is also looking forward to bringing more art into her classroom.
Laura Huntimer
Biography

Laura Huntimer

Laura Huntimer has worked in the museum education field for 20 years, progressing from volunteer to her current role as director of school programs and interactive media. She oversees and develops school, teacher and digital educational programs at Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, Nebraska. Huntimer earned a Master of Arts in museum studies and Bachelor of Science in architectural studies, both from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. After serving 10 years on the Nebraska Digital Learning Association board, she stepped down upon completion of her term as president and joined the Nebraska Art Teachers Association’s (NATA) executive board as treasurer in 2018. Huntimer currently serves as secretary on the American Alliance of Museums’ Education Professional Network. In 2014, NATA named her Art Museum Educator of the Year.
Sarah Kroenke
Biography

Sarah Kroenke

Sarah Kroenke is a longtime middle school language arts teacher who has taught in Houston, Omaha and Lincoln. She loves learning, setting goals and going after them, spending time with friends and family, meeting new people, reading, being creative, baking, cooking, traveling, biking, kayaking and doing most activities in nature. Kroenke believes all people are worthy of love and respect, and appreciates a healthy dialogue. Learning to communicate through art is a new, fun experience for which she is grateful.
Matt Auch Moedy
Biography

Matt Auch Moedy

Matt Auch Moedy is an artist and elementary school teacher who has worked for Lincoln Public Schools since 2007. He earned his master's degree in curriculum and instruction in 2012. He is interested in student choice and voice, and how those intersect with play and ambiguity. Besides art and teaching, he enjoys the outdoors with family and friends.
Megan Pitrat
Biography

Megan Pitrat

Megan Pitrat is a special education teacher at Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca Middle School, serving students in grades 7 and 8. As part of the Carnegie Program on the Education Doctorate program, she is working toward earning her Doctor of Education degree.
Katie Samson
Biography

Katie Samson

Katie Samson is an art specialist at the Donald D. Sherrill Education Center, a K-5 special education program within Lincoln Public Schools. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in studio art and an endorsement in K-12 art education from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 2016. For Samson, the most rewarding part of being an art teacher is the opportunity to watch students grow, develop and revisit ideas over time — excited to share and compare their work.
Melissa Sellers
Biography

Melissa Sellers

Melissa Sellers is an art teacher at Robin Mickle Middle School in Lincoln. She earned her bachelor’s degree in K-12 art education from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. In her free time, she enjoys creating her own art, camping, hiking, gardening, cooking, watching live music and exploring museums.
Amy Spilker
Biography

Amy Spilker

Amy Spilker has been teaching school for 16 years, mostly in second, third and fourth grade. She currently teaches second grade at Holmes Elementary. Spilker is a creative problem solver by nature and loves to watch her students discover new things as they work together during the school year.
Jessi Wiltshire
Biography

Jessi Wiltshire

Jessi Wiltshire is a first-year teacher at Arnold Elementary in Lincoln and will teach second grade during the 2022-23 school year. She and her husband, Steve, have three children. Along with family time, Wiltshire enjoys reading, coffee, playing games and visiting Disney World.