LPS art teachers to share expertise at state conference

October 1, 2025

Twelve Lincoln Public Schools art teachers will paint positive pictures of their educational strategies for a statewide audience in October.
 
Evan Asche (Schoo Middle School), Gina Downey (Morley Elementary School), Maggie Elsener (Arts and Humanities Focus Program), Sarah Gabelhouse (Standing Bear High School), Katie Gracie (East High School), Beth Hawney (Northeast High School), Audrey Jurek (Kloefkorn Elementary School), Emily Manley (Lux Middle School), Charles Pratt (Huntington Elementary School), Bob Reeker (Robinson Elementary School), Melissa Sellers (Mickle Middle School) and Liz Thomsen (Lux Middle School) will present at the Nebraska Art Teachers Association (NATA) Fall Conference Oct. 17-18. They will lead dozens of fellow teachers in lessons ranging from celebrating the joy of kindergarten artists to supporting mentorship programs in unified classrooms.

 
LPS Visual Art Curriculum Specialist Lorinda Rice was thrilled to have a large number of LPS teachers selected for the state honor. Art instructors from across Nebraska submit proposals for state presentations each year to a juried panel of artists. Panelists then select teachers to share their expertise with fellow NATA members at workshops and breakout sessions.
 
“This group continues to work diligently, adapting and adjusting their art education knowledge to meet students where they are and engage them in how artists think and make,” Rice said. “I’m so excited for them and proud to share this great news.”
 
Several LPS teachers will present multiple times at the conference, which will take place at the Joslyn Art Museum, Benson High School, Benson Creative District and BFF Gallery in Omaha. Reeker will lead a pair of solo workshops and will team up with Hawney and Rice for co-presentations. He began his LPS career at Pyrtle Elementary School in 1990 and currently leads K-5 art classes at Robinson Elementary School.
 
“I find it rewarding to think about the great work done in our district and then taking it out to art educators across the state and beyond,” Reeker said. “Reflecting on my own classroom practice is so beneficial to me as a presenter. It helps me to understand how I’m utilizing quality strategies in my art classroom that are researched and practiced, and how that work can best support others. I always consider information and ideas that educators can take back to their classroom the following Monday.”

 
Pratt will take part in three presentations at the NATA event. He felt the forum would be a great place to network with other people and get feedback about their teaching styles. He was also eager to pass along his positive LPS experiences to everyone there.
 
“My students at Huntington are the core motivation behind my decision to apply,” Pratt said. “Their creativity is a constant source of inspiration and the driving force behind the teaching strategies I hope to share with my peers. I see presenting at the conference as an opportunity to celebrate their successes on a wider stage and showcase the amazing things that can happen in a student-centered art room. Ultimately, I want to contribute the story of their work to our statewide professional conversation, hoping to inspire other educators with the remarkable potential of our students.”
 
Reeker said state conferences provide both learning and leadership opportunities for teachers and administrators. He has grown deep roots within both the LPS and NATA communities throughout his 35-year career. He earned the NATA Educator of the Year Award in 2005, received the LPS Scottish Rite Distinguished Teacher Award in 2010 and is the current NATA past president.
 
“Multiple and diverse perspectives broaden educators’ viewpoints and philosophies in a safe and fun conference environment,” Reeker said. “It’s an incredible experience to be with hundreds of art educators in Nebraska to learn, create, network and have fun.”

 
In addition to forming valuable connections with fellow teachers, conference attendees will also hear keynote speeches from four distinguished artists. Therman Statom is well-respected across the country for his work in glass sculpture and installation projects. Muralists Watie White, Oria Simonini and Reggie LeFlore will speak about their efforts to transform public spaces into vibrant canvases.
 
Meeting the needs of children is the primary focus for everyone at the conference. Pratt said the LPS presenters will sculpt even stronger classroom experiences for students with their newfound state knowledge.
 
“I look forward to starting a dialogue with my peers, not only to share what has been effective at Huntington, but more importantly, to learn from the innovative work they are doing across the state,” Pratt said. “By building this professional network, we can connect our classrooms, strengthen our practice and collectively elevate art education for every student in Nebraska.”
 
Want to learn more about the comprehensive K-12 art programs available for LPS students? Visit home.lps.org/art to view programs of study, links to local art museums and galleries and contact information for LPS art staff.
 
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