LPS leaders learn how connection creates strong school communities

July 25, 2025

Lincoln Public Schools leaders like Kate Sims and Beth Staswick learned how solid connections create strong communities during a morning full of bond-making moments this week.
 
Sims and Staswick joined scores of LPS administrators, coordinators and supervisors at the school district’s annual Leadership Day. They gathered at Southwest High School on Monday for several professional learning sessions. They listened to district leaders, participated in group breakout sessions and strengthened relationships through face-to-face conversations.
 
Sims and Staswick both said they were excited about the 2025-26 school year. Sims will serve as an instructional coordinator at Southeast High School after teaching Spanish classes there for the previous nine years. Staswick will move from her previous instructional coordinator position at East High School to her new associate principal role at Standing Bear High School.
 
Both said the theme of leadership through connection was something important in their jobs.

 
“It’s about building relationships with students and teachers,” Sims said. “I’m fortunate because I know a lot of people from teaching in the same building, but it really is about talking to others and getting to know them from a new perspective. It all comes down to camaraderie.”
 
“I’m looking forward to using my skillset to help Standing Bear continue to grow,” Staswick said. “I’m really eager to learn from others too. There are a lot of good people in our building who have a lot of experience.”
 
LPS leaders learn how to expand their mentorship talents during Leadership Day each summer. Supervisors from all LPS departments, schools and focus programs build professional friendships by meeting together under one roof. They also explore different leadership themes each year. They then bring that knowledge back to their home schools and offices to construct stronger communities there.
 
LPS Interim Superintendent John Skretta reinforced the theme of connection during his inaugural Leadership Day address. He touched on multiple reasons why creating sturdy leadership links benefited everyone. One of those was the positive energy that comes from forging contagious trust and respect in a school classroom, office or recess area.
 
“Understand that what we project is what we get,” Skretta said. “That’s the thing too. This is one of the things that I want to emphasize. Students see that. Understand how perceptive young people are, and they know if the energy is positive. They feel that. They internalize that. They see that connectedness as well.”

 
Skretta gave examples of how becoming and staying connected with people can promote gratitude, grace, fortitude, vulnerability and energy. He also encouraged LPS leaders to erase the idea of trying to be self-reliant. He said everyone – whether a first-year teacher or a many-decades veteran principal – can learn from their co-workers.
 
For example, a new instructional coordinator who has a question about a certain situation can seek helpful advice from someone who has been in that role before. The reverse is also true. A new assistant principal may have fresh ideas or perspectives that are helpful to people who have been in their position for a longer time.
 
Skretta said the only way to access those benefits is to talk to each other.
 
“Collective capacity beats isolated individualism and total self-reliance every single time,” Skretta said. “So, rely upon one another. Seek the support and the help that you need to make great decisions in the support of great student outcomes.”

 
Southwest Principal John Matzen told the audience that mindset has been invaluable for the entire school district. He has led many school tours for families who have moved to Lincoln. He said they notice right away what teamwork has produced at LPS.
 
“I wish you all could be with me on those tours, because people are truly in awe of our district,” Matzen said. “They are amazed by our facilities, they are amazed by our curricular offerings, they are amazed with our technology. They honestly think I’m playing a trick on them sometimes. Like, I’ll talk about something, and they’re like, ‘There’s no way that a school district can do that.’”

 
Those connective roots extended into each of the breakout sessions that LPS leaders took part in. They explored the power of optimism, the benefits of making bold choices and how people impact the journeys of others in many ways. They also listened to a keynote address from motivational speaker Ginger Johnson, who talked about why belonging is such an important feeling to foster in other people.
 
Skretta said creating positive connections was the primary goal of this year’s Leadership Day event. Sims said that was why having constructive conversations with leaders throughout LPS was on top of her priority list for 2025-26.
 
“It’s going to be a year filled with a lot of learning,” Sims said. “I just want to try to soak in all of the wisdom I can.”
 
Visit home.lps.org/prolearn to explore the many professional learning opportunities available at LPS. These classes, events and activities are allowing LPS employees to provide strong educational services for students.
 
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