Nebraska State Education Association

Today’s Association STRONG conference in Lexington brought together members and leaders for meaningful conversations, practical learning and plenty of idea-sharing focused on strengthening our locals and supporting public education.

From leadership development and membership engagement to advocacy, bargaining and government relations, attendees had the chance to dig into topics that matter most — and with smaller group sizes, everyone had the opportunity to participate, connect and ask questions. Turns out effective small class sizes work for adult learning too!

We also loved supporting local with catering from El Sazon Taquizas — ¡delicioso!

Four more conferences will be held this summer. You can join us - sign up at www.nsea.org/26Strong

It was a great day at the Sandhills District Conference!

Members and leaders came together in St. Paul for a full day of learning, collaboration and conversation focused on strengthening our association and supporting public education. Sessions covered leadership development, membership engagement, government relations, collective bargaining, advocacy, retiree benefits and more.

Thank you to all of the presenters, facilitators and attendees who shared their time, ideas and expertise throughout the day. Together, we continue building stronger locals, stronger leaders and stronger public schools for Nebraska students and educators.

Five more conferences will be held this summer. You can register to attend at www.nsea.org/26Strong

Student loans on your mind? NSEA members can join free NEA Member Benefits information sessions covering changing repayment plans, loan forgiveness updates, Parent PLUS loans, graduate borrowing limits and more.

Multiple daytime and evening Zoom sessions are available May 19–June 16, and no registration is required.

Find dates, times and join links here:

NEA Member Benefits Student Loan Information Sessions NEA Member Benefits is offering additional student loan support sessions for members navigating changing repayment plans, loan forgiveness options and new federal loan updates.

**UPDATED** list of Recommended Candidates. The most up-to-date list can be found at www.nsea.org/Vote2026

• Polls are open today from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. CT/ 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. MT.
• Visit https://www.votercheck.necvr.ne.gov/VoterView to find your polling place.
• Voter ID is required.

The candidates listed here have earned the recommendation of the NSEA. They completed a questionnaire and were interviewed by NSEA members--your colleagues-- about their positions on education issues.

Find the full list of recommended candidates at nsea.org/vote2026

To every teacher, counselor, para, secretary, custodian, nurse, bus driver and public school employee across Nebraska: thank you for the work you do every day for students and communities.

Your impact matters. Your voice matters. And we appreciate you.

During Teacher Appreciation Week — and every week — thank you to Nebraska educators for all you do.

The May issue of The Voice will be in mailboxes soon, but you can read it online now at www.nsea.org/voice.

The Voice Click here to flip through the latest Voice magazine online!

Today, NSEA leaders were on Capitol Hill advocating for students, educators and public education.

They met with staff from Senators Fischer and Ricketts, Representatives Flood and Smith, and directly with Congressman Bacon to discuss key issues impacting our schools and communities.

Conversations focused on:
• Proper federal funding for education
• Comprehensive immigration reform
• Protecting LGBTQ students
• Opposing the proposed federal book ban
• Opposing efforts to restrict voting access
• Supporting efforts to roll back the federal voucher program

Thank you to our lobby team for representing Nebraska educators: NSEA President Tim Royers; NSEA Vice President Paul Schulte; NEA Director Ed Ventura; NSEA Executive Director Isau Metes; NSEA-Retired President John Heineman; OEA President Kathy Poehling.

Together, we continue to advocate for strong public schools and the students we serve.

Nebraska educators and advocates were recognized for excellence at the NSEA Delegate Assembly, celebrating the incredible work happening in public education across the state.

Honorees included outstanding teachers, education support professionals, administrators, public servants, and organizations making a lasting impact in their communities. Awards highlighted achievements in teaching excellence, early career leadership, public relations, community service, and advocacy for students and public schools.

These recognitions reflect the dedication, leadership and commitment of those working every day to support Nebraska’s students and strengthen public education.

• Children’s Fund Helping Hands Award — Fremont Education Association & Wisner-Pilger Education Association
• William Gallagher Jr. Award — Elkhorn District (accepted by Lisa Hanson)
• Early Career Educator Award — Alisha Taylor (Lincoln EA)
• NSEA Award for Teaching Excellence — Sheryl Norman (Palmer EA)
• Great Plains Milestone Award — Dr. Amanda Morales (UNL)
• Education Support Professional of the Year — Brian Jens Whitecalf (Grand Island EA)
• Administrator of Excellence Award — Belinda Westfall (Westside Public Schools)
• Tom Black Public Relations Award — Jennifer Hosking (Omaha EA) & Ben Welsch (Hastings EA)
• Outstanding Media Award — Bigger Than the Score (93.7 The Ticket)
• Friends of Education Award — Sens. Ashlei Spivey, Margo Juarez & Machaela Cavanaugh

Photos of the recipients who were able to attend are included here.

Want a Lynne Walz for Nebraska yard sign?

Sign up here 👉 https://bit.ly/WalzYardSign

NSEA-Retired President John Heineman and NSEA President Tim Royers are proud to announce that NSEA-Retired members are the first in the state to receive Lynne Walz for Governor yard signs!