Signature Celebrations: LPS seniors declare intent to join education profession

May 22, 2026

Balloons, banners and big smiles surrounded Lincoln Public Schools seniors this spring when they declared their intent to become future educators.
 
Sixty-five seniors from all eight LPS high schools participated in inaugural future educators signing days. LPS administrators, teachers and family members watched with pride as seniors gathered on high school stages for their big moments. Southwest (16 signees), East (13), Southeast (9), Lincoln High (7), Northwest (7), Northeast (6), North Star (5) and Standing Bear (2) hosted the festive events in May.
 
Northwest senior Izzy and Lincoln High senior Amara beamed as they wrote their names in copies of a book called “I Promise.” Izzy is planning to major in elementary education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Amara is preparing to study elementary and early childhood education at UNL. Both said they were grateful to publicly express their excitement about choosing their careers.
 
“As a future educator, I felt like what I want to do is important,” Izzy said. “I don’t think we celebrate educators enough, and I have noticed this throughout my years in school. So, to have a signing day celebrating future educators, I felt very proud to be a part of it!”
 
“Education is a field that is often overlooked and underappreciated, so having a celebration dedicated to us felt so very special,” Amara said. “Signing night brought to life a dream I’ve held close to my heart since I was in elementary, to leave a positive impact on our future!”
 
Southwest senior Grant said he was happy to join a family tradition of education. His mother is a behavior interventionist at Lakeview Elementary School, his aunt works at the Steve Joel District Leadership Center and his grandmother is a health technician at Northeast High School. He wore a t-shirt with the words America Needs Teachers on it to celebrate that personal history with the profession.
 
“It’s just so cool to have this thing for educators,” Grant said. “Sports have signing days, but I feel like it’s cool because teachers and educators are the people who literally move on the next generations. I feel like it’s really cool to honor those people.”
 
Barb Miller said those reactions are why LPS arranged each signing day event. Miller has been a key architect of the LPS Grow Your Own initiative as the LPS emerging educators empowerment specialist.
 
“Honestly, it is incredibly moving to see that many hands go up when asked about becoming a teacher,” Miller said. “In a world where young people are constantly bombarded with messages to chase the loudest, most lucrative or flashiest careers, choosing education renews hope. When students say they want to be teachers, they are usually saying, ‘Someone sparked a light in me, and I want to do that for someone else.’”
 
Miller said it was important for students to celebrate their classroom callings together. Friends of one future teacher showed up with homemade signs, cheering her on like she’d just been drafted into a professional sports league.
 
“That is exactly why peer representation matters,” Miller said. “It proves that entering education isn’t just a quiet, solo decision – it’s something worth celebrating loudly. When students see their peers holding up signs and rallying behind them, it replaces anxiety with an undeniable sense of belonging. They realize they aren’t walking into the challenges of the education field alone. Collective enthusiasm breeds collective courage.”
 
Amara and Izzy said they wanted to echo those supportive actions in their future jobs.
 
“I want my classroom to be a place where anyone can feel loved, safe and cared for,” Izzy said. “I want my classroom to be a learning environment where students don’t feel ashamed of getting the answer wrong or not knowing an answer. A classroom where every student grows and learns every day.”
 
“I personally have had phenomenal teachers throughout my elementary years, so I know firsthand the impact a good teacher can leave on a student in the early years,” Amara said. “I can’t wait to give the same love and care that I received to the next generation!”
 
Many signees like Izzy and Amara said they would like to join the LPS family once they graduate.
 
“I want to come back to LPS to teach,” Izzy said. “This is because LPS makes a difference in every student’s life. LPS has resources for students who struggle to learn or come from any background.”
 
“I am so thankful to be a part of such an amazing school district, and coming back to teach here has always been a dream of mine,” Amara said. “I love the idea of teaching at the same elementary school that I attended, as my own special way of paying it forward. Campbell Elementary gave me such a head start on my education and childhood development, and I would love to play that same role for my students.”
 
Miller said the inaugural signing days made it clear that many students want to join a profession that is meaningful, moving and mission-focused.
 
“Knowing that so many students want to be that spark for the next generation brings an overwhelming sense of pride and reassurance,” Miller said. “It’s a reminder that empathy, patience and the desire to lift others up are still deeply valued by young people today. It makes you look at the future and think, ‘We’re going to be in good hands.’”
 
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Photos from all eight signing day ceremonies are below!

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