June 25, 2021
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jim Curry (402) 844-7063

Pathways to Tomorrow recognized by Department of Education as outstanding program

LINCOLN, Neb. – Pathways to Tomorrow (P2T) has been selected as the Nebraska Career and Technical Education’s (CTE) Outstanding Secondary P2T was recognized with the distinction during the Nebraska Department of Education's 2021 Nebraska Career Education (NCE) Virtual Conference recently.

The award, open to individual instructional programs within a school or college, is designed to recognize the outstanding achievement of career and technical education (CTE) in Nebraska high schools.

Beginning its sixth year this fall, the P2T consortium offers CTE classes that are facilitated through Educational Service Unit (ESU) #2 and includes seven-member schools: Bancroft-Rosalie, Emerson-Hubbard, Guardian Angels Central Catholic (West Point), Howells-Dodge, Lyons Decatur Northeast, Oakland-Craig, and West Point-Beemer. This will be the third-year classes have been held at the Northeast Community College extended campus in West Point.

P2T offers multiple career pathways. Education, computer and health sciences classes are held in Northeast’s extended campus at 202 Anna Stalp Ave., while building construction, transportation, welding and other classes are conducted across the street in the 16,000 square foot Donald E. Nielsen Career and Technical Education Center, 200 N. Washington St. P2T features 11 instructors, most of whom teach dual credit classes for Northeast, Wayne State College or both.

P2T met NCE’s awards criteria as its instructional programs align with the Nebraska Career Education model. The consortium offers programs that demonstrate quality areas, including student achievement in both career and academic arenas, innovative instruction based on a state model program of study, alignment to Nebraska's workforce needs and economic priorities, and community engagement.

“Pathways to Tomorrow is honored to receive this recognition from NCE,” said Carla Streff, P2T executive director and director of Northeast’s extended campus in West Point. “It truly reflects the collaborative work P2T, Northeast Community College and Wayne State College have undertaken in the few short years the collaboration has been in existence. P2T is designed to build a skilled workforce in the region through career and technical education. It is a unique endeavor that brings employment preparation opportunities to students.”

To learn more about P2T, visit, northeast.edu/news/article/3622.

PHOTO CUTLINE – P2T

Wyatt Millburg, a student at Lyons-Decatur Northeast Schools, uses a truck driving simulator in the Donald E. Nielsen Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center in West Point in 2020. Millburg was enrolled in the transportation pathway offered through the Pathways 2 Tomorrow (P2T) consortium. P2T was selected to receive the Nebraska Department of Education's Career and Technical Education’s (CTE) Outstanding Secondary Program of 2021 award. It was presented at NCE’s Career Education Virtual Conference recently. (Courtesy Northeast Community College)

MTA and ITA coaches alike gathered for a day of art planning and adventure. During this creative exploration, the group tested viscosity and its impact on design through paint pouring. The fun only continued as the coaches experimented with glass fusion, cyanotype painting, and 3-D work in the style of Louise Nevelson. This art day full of experimentation and collaboration has aided the coaches in developing and implementing meaningful and engaging projects and products into workshops and lesson plans. 

The ESU2 Community Navigator Program serves 12 districts within the ESU service area. Throughout these districts, they support students’ individual needs through assistance in overcoming hardships, navigating resources and building relationships that empower families and help their students in being successful academically and personally. 

Before COVID-19 struck, our Navigators had uncovered a need that was lacking support within the districts: supplemental food options. This prompted ESU2 to start a food drive where employees could donate for those families in need. This fall additional steps were taken and a partnership was formed with the Food Bank of Heartland. After sending a survey out to two pilot districts, the team received feedback from a total of 58 families that were in need of supplemental food support. Staff at ESU 2 were able to pack 50 reusable bags that contained enough items for 2-3 meals for each family.

On Friday October 23, the navigators took these bags to Wisner-Pilger elementary where they were able to provide supplemental food support to 25 families and 80 children.

The navigators will continue to move forward with these pilot schools and their partnership with the Food Bank for the Heartland. While a schedule has not yet been determined, deliveries will continue to be made to those families seeking supplemental food supports.

NEWS RELEASE

LYONS-DECATUR NORTHEAST TEACHER NAMED NEBRASKA TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Paul Timm, a science teacher in grades 7-12 at Lyons-Decatur Northeast Secondary School in Lyons, was named the Nebraska 2021 Teacher of the Year during a surprise award presentation today.

Nebraska Commissioner of Education Matthew Blomstedt presented the award.

Timm was one of three finalists for the Nebraska Teacher of the Year award. Michael Sandstrom of Chadron High School in Chadron and Sarah Staples-Farmer of Lincoln East High School in Lincoln were also finalists and will be recognized as Award of Excellence winners.

Timm began his teaching career in Laurel, Nebraska where he taught agriculture education. He currently teaches 7-12^th grade science at Lyons-Decatur Northeast Secondary School where he has been since 2008.

In addition to his classroom experience, Timm is an active member of the school community in the National Honor Society, as a Student Assistant Team Coordinator, and as a coach for the Quiz Bowl, and cross country and track teams. Timm also represents Lyons-Decatur in the Nebraska Water Project multi-school collaboration, the National Geographic Districtwide Partnership, and helped to establish a research program in the district.

In his Teacher of the Year application Timm said he viewed learning as an entrepreneurial venture. The students are not just employees at the job, but business owners building an enterprise of learning with passion, personal choice, and full ownership. 

“I begin by fostering a culture which promotes curiosity and questions, sharing of ideas, celebrating successes, and willingness to learn from failures,” says Timm. “Project- and inquiry-based learning drives education to the highest levels while extending the learning environment beyond the classroom and providing student choice.”

Using this philosophy, Timm strives to prepare his students for life outside school.

Timm has been a teacher for 17 years and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture Education and a Master’s Degree in Entomology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

A panel of Nebraska educators selected Timm as the 2021 Nebraska Teacher of the Year. The Teacher of the Year program recognizes the contributions of classroom teachers who are exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, skilled, and who have the ability to inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn.

Timm, Sandstrom, and Staples-Farmer will be honored by the Nebraska State Board of Education at a February luncheon.

Timm will participate in the National Teacher of the Year competition later this year.