Mother-Daughter Teachers Recognized At National Convention

A mother and daughter teaching team from Neligh-Oakdale and Elkhorn Valley were recognized at the National Business Educators Association convention in Chicago on Friday. 

Lisa Hansen, a business teacher at Neligh-Oakdale, presented at the national conference while her daughter, Laura Newton, a business teacher at Elkhorn Valley, earned one of just two scholarships awarded. 

Hansen presented "Finger Frenzy: Strategies for Teaching Elementary and Middle School Keyboarding." According to the program information, the session focused on hands-on data entry through keyboarding and explored issues, keyboarding standards and pedagogy unique to teaching keyboarding, with a special emphasis on teaching strategies for incorporating keyboarding into the elementary and junior high curriculum.

Newton was given the prestigious $1,000 scholarship to continue working on her master's degree. The scholarships recognize and support educators who give evidence of leadership and scholarship potential in the field of business education. The NBEA Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to outstanding individuals for the purpose of continuing their study and professional development in business education.



The annual NBEA Conference took place at the downtown Marriott in Chicago from March 31 – April 4. Nebraska was well represented at the NBEA conference. Many Nebraskans shared their expertise through presentations, while others served as session coordinators and liaisons.  Dr. Pat Arneson of Wayne State College was the program director and Sue Sydow of Wayne State College, served on the program committee. Denis Krejci of Tri-County served as the scholarship program chair. Nebraskans on the registration committee were Dennis Krejci, Kelly Means, and Sue Sydow. Kelly Means served on the Policies Commission.


The awards luncheon provided to be an exciting highlight of the conference for Nebraska, as Shelly Mowinkel was recognized as the 2015 NBEA Middle School Teacher of the Year and Dennis Krejci was recognized as the 2015 NBEA Secondary Teacher of the Year. Laura Newton of Elkhorn Valley was one of two recipients of the NBEA Scholarships for continuing education.

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