Principal – Gretna Middle School
My teaching career started at Ogallala Junior High School in 1973. We were a typical junior high school with grades 7 – 9. During my years there, we investigated middle level philosophy and decided that many of the concepts were ideas that we wanted to implement in our school. During the late 1980’s we implemented such concepts as teaming, advisory and an expanded exploratory curriculum at our school. Turning Points, a research publication from the Carnegie Corporation came out at approximately the same time and this provided a frame work for our transition. This has continued to guide my work with educators and middle level students to this day. As I transitioned from the classroom to administration, I have been involved with two additional transformations from junior highs to schools based on middle level concepts. As the current principal of Gretna Middle School, we strive daily to provide a student centered program, while at the same time, striving for excellence in today’s standards driven climate. I have been a member of NAMLE since 1989. For the past 9 years, I have been the membership chairperson for the organization. I have watched NAMLE grow from a small grass roots organization to one that can sponsor and put on quality staff development opportunities to members from throughout the state. As a potential member of the Board of Trustees, I want to continue the fine traditions that have already been established and build the organization to meet the needs of a changing future.
Guidance Counselor – Westside Middle School – District 66 – Omaha, NE
My name is Julie and I am running for my 4th term on the NAMLE State Board. I have been a Nebraska educator for 23 years. I have spent the last 10 years as a Middle School Counselor. For six of these years, I have been fortunate to be on the NAMLE board. I have worked on planning the best possible Professional Development Institutes held yearly at various locations in Nebraska. I also helped to plan the 2004 Midwest Regional Conference held in Omaha, and was the Co-Chair/Treasurer for the 2007 Regional. I have truly come to appreciate the day-to-day joys and challenges that go along with working with middle school students. The “middle years” for our youth are very important. To promote success for our state’s youth, we must continue to have a strong Middle School Association. As a NAMLE Board member, I would continue to work on the behalf of all middle school educators to bring relevant Professional Development opportunities to the great educators of Nebraska. Please allow me the opportunity to serve you, by re-electing me for the NAMLE State Board.
Having served on the Board of Trustees for NAMLE since 2001, I am eager to run for reelection. Now in my 13th year at the middle school level, I believe that I bring a well-rounded perspective from the teacher’s point-of-view. I am passionate about middle school students and the middle school philosophy. I love to learn, as is evident by the collection of graduate classes I’ve taken throughout my career which have helped me to earn a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction and another in Educational Leadership. I hope to continue to serve on the Board for another term because NAMLE stands for kids. It is a group that embraces the adolescent learner and understands the obstacles that we face “in the middle.” I have learned so much through this role and would welcome the opportunity to expand my contribution to the Association. I have enjoyed my previous terms and would like very much to continue to serve in this capacity.
Adams Middle School – North Platte, NE
It has been a pleasure to serve as a member and board member of an organization to works diligently to promote and support middle school education. I have taught middle school for eight years and realize the importance the middle school years play in the growth and development of our youth. I have served on the NAMLE Board of Trustees for seven years with the last four of those years as secretary and webmaster. NAMLE has provided valuable support and professional development to middle school educators across the state and it is my hope to continue to be a part of that process.
