UNL Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education

Congratulations to Kristine Earth (BS ’09, MA '16, EDAD MA ’26) who was recently appointed as the new Director of the Ho-Chunk Renaissance Program! She is a three-time Indigenous Roots federal grant program recipient. The Winnebago Tribe shared the following good news:

The Winnebago Tribe is proud to officially welcome Kristine Earth as the new Director of the Ho-Chunk Renaissance Program. A dedicated community member and lifelong advocate for our traditions, Mrs. Earth has been deeply involved in Ho-Chunk culture her entire life. She brings a wealth of academic and practical knowledge to the position, having recently graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She holds one Master of Education majoring in Teacher, Learning and Teacher Education and a second Master of Education majoring in Educational Administration. As a proud alumna of Winnebago Public School, her deep roots in the community uniquely position her to lead this vital cultural initiative. In her new role as director, Mrs. Earth will oversee the development and implementation of the language curriculum, ensuring that our sacred Ho-Chunk language continues to strengthen, grow, and thrive for generations to come.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln | UNL Graduate Studies | Nebraska College of Education and Human Sciences | UNL Student Life | Nebraska Alumni Association |

Faculty members Jillian Harpster, Mona Schoenrock, and Jessica Zaker led the Spring 2026 Capstone Seminar that featured the project posters of TLTE’s new secondary education graduates.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln | UNL Student Culture & Community| UNL Student Life

Congratulations to Cathy Gabell, TLTE Undergraduate Programs Project Associate, who is a recipient of the Nebraska College of Education and Human Sciences Star Staff Award! 🎉 We are delighted to celebrate Cathy’s accomplishments!
University of Nebraska-Lincoln | UNL Student Culture & Community

Cathy Gabell selected as CEHS Staff Star recipient | College of Education and Human Sciences | Nebraska Cathy Gabell, undergraduate project associate in teaching, learning and teacher education, has been selected as the latest recipient of the College of Education and Human Sciences Staff Star Award, presented quarterly by the CEHS Staff Council. In her role, Gabell provides support for faculty and un...

Congratulations to Miriam Tellez-Trujillo known as “Maestra Trujillo” at Fremont’s Washington Elementary School. Miriam is graduating with her MA in Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education (TLTE), and her endorsements in English language learning and dual language education. Miriam is an experienced bilingual teacher in Fremont’s dual language program and she follows the footsteps of her two colleagues pictured below, Dan Moran and Heidi Quintanilla de Nuño, who both completed their MA and endorsements in dual language and ELL in TLTE recently. All are current teachers in Fremont’s dual language program and Dan is currently a doctoral student in TLTE. We are all so proud of them and of TLTE’s connection to schools across Nebraska !!!

Miriam says “At UNL I met professors passionate about other cultures and all they encompass. UNL offered flexible classes that adapted to my needs. “Las lecciones aprendidas me ayudaron a ser una major maestra de educación bilingüe, lo qual contribuyó al desarrollo bilingüe de mis estudiantes”.
¡Felicidades Miriam!

University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Nebraska College of Education and Human Sciences | UNL Graduate Studies

🍎 Spring 2026 Student Teacher Spotlights! Today TLTE is highlighting Nghi Ho from Omaha, NE, an Elementary education major who has been student teaching at Cottonwood Elementary School - MPS. We asked Nghi what she is most proud of in her student teaching experience: “I’m incredibly proud of the person I’ve become from this experience. I truly owe it all to the staff and students who have shaped the person I’ve grown to be throughout this special time. I’m not sure where I would be today if it wasn’t for the people and this place, and I wouldn’t have traded that for the world. To say I’m grateful is an understatement. Thank you for every person who has been a part of my growth these past four years, I wouldn’t have wanted to change anything.”
Nghi has accepted an offer for a position with Millard Public Schools and announces, “I will be staying at Cottonwood Elementary to teach 5th grade!” We are thrilled she will be back and send best wishes to Nghi! 🍎

University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Nebraska College of Education and Human Sciences 🎈

Congratulations to Dr. Lydiah Kiramba, Associate Professor, who has been awarded a William T. Grant Foundation award for her research, “Multilingual Students’ Engagement with the Science of Reading.” What great news in support of teaching and learning and teacher education in Nebraska!

University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Nebraska College of Education and Human Sciences | UNL Graduate Studies

🍎 TLTE 2026 Spring Student Teacher Spotlights! Today TLTE is highlighting Abby Shonka from Lincoln, NE, a Secondary Social Studies major who has been student teaching at Omaha South High School. Abby shares, “I am very proud of my relationships with the students, I have worked very hard to get to know them beyond just a student, rather as a human being.” In sharing a photo of herself with her cooperating teacher, Abby wanted to add, “I am truly so lucky to have to best CT in the world, thank you for all that you do, Ellen Augustine!”
Congratulations to Abby, and TLTE sends best wishes for the next big adventure!

University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Nebraska College of Education and Human Sciences | Omaha Public Schools
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Register for Summer Classes! We are ready to work with teachers and all educators!
University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Nebraska College of Education and Human Sciences | UNL Graduate Studies

📣 TLTE 2026 Spring Student Teacher Spotlights! Today TLTE is highlighting Paige Wooster from Mapleton, Iowa, an Elementary Education & Special Education K-6 major who has been student teaching at Dakota Valley Elementary School in North Sioux City, South Dakota. Pictured here with both of her cooperating teachers, Paige shares, “I am most proud of the relationships I built with my students and the trust we developed over time! Seeing my students' growth academically, as well as their confidence, made the experience meaningful and showed me the impact of consistent support and patience in the classroom. I am also proud of how much I grew in my ability to adapt lessons to meet different needs, especially in both general and special education settings. I believe it has made me a much stronger teacher, and I am excited to apply everything I have learned into my own classroom!”
As for plans after graduation, Paige announces, “I will be teaching 2nd grade at Wakefield Elementary in Wakefield, Nebraska!”
Congratulations, Paige, you are ready to take on a class of your own and will be amazing! 🍎

University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Nebraska College of Education and Human Sciences | Nebraska Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders Dakota Valley School District | Wakefield Community School District

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