FCSTN New Teacher Workshop
Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers of Nebraska (FCSTN) is sponsoring a New Teacher Workshop on Monday November 7th from 10am-3pm at ESU10 in Kearney.
This workshop is designed for 1st or 2nd year Family and Consumer Sciences teachers who would like support and guidance, as well as an opportunity to network with FCS colleagues from across the state. The day will be led by FCSTN board members as well as the 2022 FCSTN Teacher of the Year and Special Service award winners.
This workshop is FREE to FCSTN members (must join by 10/1) and $20 for non-members, which includes lunch and resources shared by our presenters.
If you are interested in attending, please submit your registration by Wednesday October 12th. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions!
2023 FCSTN Teacher of the Year Winners:
This workshop is designed for 1st or 2nd year Family and Consumer Sciences teachers who would like support and guidance, as well as an opportunity to network with FCS colleagues from across the state. The day will be led by FCSTN board members as well as the 2022 FCSTN Teacher of the Year and Special Service award winners.
This workshop is FREE to FCSTN members (must join by 10/1) and $20 for non-members, which includes lunch and resources shared by our presenters.
If you are interested in attending, please submit your registration by Wednesday October 12th. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions!
2023 FCSTN Teacher of the Year Winners:
FCSTN Legislative Workshop
On February 9, 2022, the annual FCSTN Capitol Legislative Workshop was held in Lincoln, NE. 64 students and advisers were in attendance, along with several esteemed professionals from within
the legislature, the University of Nebraska and a few of our own FCCLA State Officers.
Senator Tony Vargas of the 7th District came to speak about his career path and passion for education. Dr. Susan Sarver with the Buffett Early Childhood Institute joined us to talk about advocating for children and the
process of testifying in front of the legislative committees.
Our group sat in the legislative chamber during the live session and was lucky enough to hear a debate between several senators regarding LB890, introduced by Senator Lynne Walz.
We had the opportunity to dine in the Governor's Residence across the street from the Capitol building. And finally, our students were able to select hearings to observe the process of testifying in front of legislative committees.
The experience of this workshop is one that offers great teaching and learning moments. One high schooler referred to the event as "Something everyone should see at some point in their lives. It was interesting to see how our laws are made." The number of bills brought to the legislature each year that pertain to the content area of Family and Consumer Science is considerable. Learning how to make a real difference is a goal we should all strive to reach.
the legislature, the University of Nebraska and a few of our own FCCLA State Officers.
Senator Tony Vargas of the 7th District came to speak about his career path and passion for education. Dr. Susan Sarver with the Buffett Early Childhood Institute joined us to talk about advocating for children and the
process of testifying in front of the legislative committees.
Our group sat in the legislative chamber during the live session and was lucky enough to hear a debate between several senators regarding LB890, introduced by Senator Lynne Walz.
We had the opportunity to dine in the Governor's Residence across the street from the Capitol building. And finally, our students were able to select hearings to observe the process of testifying in front of legislative committees.
The experience of this workshop is one that offers great teaching and learning moments. One high schooler referred to the event as "Something everyone should see at some point in their lives. It was interesting to see how our laws are made." The number of bills brought to the legislature each year that pertain to the content area of Family and Consumer Science is considerable. Learning how to make a real difference is a goal we should all strive to reach.
Future FCS Teacher Dinner
The Future Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Teacher Dinner was a great success again this year, held during the FCCLA State leadership Conference on Monday, April 3rd. There were 11 students and six school districts represented from Columbus, West Holt, Arapahoe, Chase County, Loup City, and Northwest high School in Omaha. The FCS professionals attending included Mandy Jaixen, Sarah Medina, Kaitlin Spaulding, Misty Jaeger, Crystal Feik and Tamara Nelson. In addition to the high school students, both Wayne State and UNL had several undergraduate students attending to share information about the program where they are currently enrolled. Lorie Hunn was also there representing Chadron State College.
Participants were treated to heavy appetizers and received gift bags for future teachers, and other promotional items from the Nebraska teacher preparation programs. Dr. Carol Erwin planned the event this year to include a panel of FCS teachers at different stages of their careers. Angie Ehlers (Overton), Michelle Paxton (Palmyra), Tia Smith (LPS), and Mikaela Franzen (Thedford) represented teachers from one to 16 years. The panel shared insights about their own teaching experiences, as well as advice for the candidates there considering FCS as their future career. The variety of years these panel members have taught was also helpful to share with the students participating, as well as being FCCLA advisers.
We hope to continue this tradition in the future and will be working on some different avenues to support this event and get more schools involved. During the opportunity fair we had over 40 students identify FCS education as a possible career in the future, so there are many more possibilities for a larger crowd at next year’s event.
FCSTN Social at NCE, 2023
This year's social at the Nebraska Career Education Conference was held at The Rustic Patch and participants could create a door sign. The sign painting is optional and many other FCS teachers attending the conference came to shop, enjoy hors d'oeuvres and connect. It is always a lot of fun and a great time to get to know each other better.