Education
Sam Meisels leads early childhood mission through Buffett Institute
Since Sam Meisels arrived in 2013 to head the Buffett Early Childhood Institute, he's become the academic-based advocate ally to the socially conscious philanthropist who hired him, Susan A. Buffett. The dynastic wealth of the Buffetts has... more
Douglas County Historical Society's new lecture
As a part of their Second Sunday Lecture Series, the Douglas County Historical Society will be hosting a lecture on Omaha's immigration history July 12. The discussion will be led by retired Creighton University professor of history Dennis... more
Finding Balance
When it comes to the economy today, Dr. James K. Galbraith acts as a sort of impartial judge on issues that often divide citizens. Galbraith, an economist, spoke as part of the annual Holland Lecture Series on Oct.9. For almost two hours ... more
Helping Parents and Kids
Imagine trying to communicate with your child’s teacher in a foreign language, or trying to help your child with homework in a foreign language. Those scenarios are reality for hundreds of immigrant Omaha families with children in Learni... more
Kids Eat Free: Pull Up A Seat
Only 10 percent of the children in the state of Nebraska who are eligible for the summer meals program actually take advantage of it. Hunger Free Heartland is out to change that by spreading the word about its Summer Food Service Progra... more
From Industrial Revolution to Digital Evolution
As this story hits the streets, tensions are very high with teachers and educators across the state. Nebraska’s annual “State of the Schools” report is about to be released. Headlines will scream ‘What’s Wrong With Education’ and... more
Freddie Gray stands fast on her handling of Sebring scandal
Freddie Gray knows being second-guessed and scrutinized comes with the job of Omaha Public School Board President. But when she came under fire over her handling of the Nancy Sebring scandal she got more than she bargained for, including ... more
Dedicated to Teaching And Students
Dr. John Mackiel served the Omaha Public School District for 40 years, first as a reading and English teacher at Burke High School and for the last 15 years as superintendent, overseeing $254 million in school improvements, legal challeng... more
Gender equity in sports has come a long way, baby
Participants in girls and women's sports today should be forgiven if they take for granted the bounty of athletic scholarships, competitive opportunities, training facilities and playing venues afforded them. After all, they've never kn... more
Jason McClaren
Let's Talk About Sex
An in-depth story about sex education ran in 1975 with a cartoon showing two sign-carrying protesters proclaiming, “Sex Education isn’t necessary” and “Sex isn’t necessary.” At the Nebraska University Medical Center, the human sexuality... more
Schoolyard Fight
Half of the non-partisan Omaha Public School Board’s twelve seats are up for election this year. Of the six expiring terms, two subdistricts have uncontested candidates and three subdistricts have two candidates, leaving only one subdistr... more
Schoolyard Fight
Half of the non-partisan Omaha Public School Board’s twelve seats are up for election this year. Of the six expiring terms, two subdistricts have uncontested candidates and three subdistricts have two candidates, leaving only one subd... more
The Privilege Pass
“I want to see your sources. Our library doesn’t have these sources.” A college professor was scrutinizing one of Franklin Thompson’s papers during his post-graduate studies at the University of Southern Mississippi in the mid-90s. Now ... more
Navigating Diverse Waters
The Omaha Public School district maintains its own research department that measures what and who is in its classrooms. Omaha’s largest district churns out daily lessons to more than 50,000 students in 84 schools. About 67 percent are min... more
Beating The Odds
New test scores from Nebraska’s public schools recently showed a big drop in math scores, as the state adjusts to new testing requirements. In the first of a series of reports on how Omaha schools are performing, we stopped by South Omaha... more
Educator Tackles The Other
Ferial (Mohamed) Pearson's work with GLBT and other high-risk youths at South High Magnet School earned her the 2010 Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network's National Educator of the Year award and the 2011 National Education Associa... more
Common Sense Adds to Truancy Law
It’s a plan that builds on an older plan. Last year, LB 800 was signed into law. That enacted sweeping reforms in truancy prevention and juvenile justice – if a child was truant for more than 20 days of the school year, the county attorne... more
Inviting Nebraska Dreams
by Lindsey Peterson Crete, located in southeast Nebraska, is a town not unlike many other rural towns. It faces an increasing immigration population and a burdened education system. And, like others, it’s scrambling to find ways to hand... more
BRYCE BRIDGES
Still in Focus
The rumors were starting to pile up like the early January snow surrounding Underwood Hills Focus School. Faced with looming state budget cuts, the innovative elementary school near 90th Street and Western Avenue was in danger of closing. L... more
DALE HEISE
The Graduates
Four years ago Daniel Mayorga-Alvarez and Treasure Anderson took the challenge of enrolling in a new high school with strict disciplinary codes, high academic standards and the requirement of working a paid internship. The teens signed on ... more