Concordia Nebraska hosts Early Career Teacher Academy event

Concordia University, Nebraska hosted its second Early Career Teacher Academy event June 14-15, 2026. Designed for first through third year teachers who are alumni of the university, the special event was organized by university Associate Professors of Education Dr. Amy Stradtmann and Dr. Keith Kerschen and offered encouragement, practical strategies and professional connections to help newer educators thrive. The two-day conference included sessions that covered topics such as classroom management, trauma-informed teaching, building resource stacks and celebrating successes.  

Event participants represented five different schools in Nebraska, including both public and Lutheran schools.  

 The event featured sessions on classroom management led by Leah Mussell ‘19, teacher at St. John’s Lutheran School in West Bend, Wisconsin, and Kaitlyn (Stradtmann) Miller ‘19, teacher at Concordia Preparatory School in Towson, Maryland.  

Concordia Nebraska’s Director of Counseling Services Kathy L’Heureux ‘97 also led a session on trauma and resilience support in the classroom. The event also featured a Q&A and brainstorm session with a panel of classroom teachers including DeAnn (Thimjon) Warren ‘90 of Seward Elementary School, Jen Frihauf of Seward Elementary School and Grace (Heusmann) Moll ‘22 of Our Redeemer Lutheran Schoolin Staplehurst, Nebraska. 

Participants were also able to add to their classroom resource stack by visiting Seward’s Chapters Books and Gifts and reviewing recommendations from owner Kelley (Robbins) Limback ‘00 and current Concordia Nebraska education student Ethan Reynolds of Boelus, Nebraska.  

“Our focus for the ECTA event centers around classroom management and trauma-informed teaching. These two areas are often cited in our data collection and feedback from our completers and school partners as areas where new teachers need the most support.”

“Our focus for the ECTA event centers around classroom management and trauma-informed teaching,” explained Kerschen. “These two areas are often cited in our data collection and feedback from our completers and school partners as areas where new teachers need the most support.” 

Kerschen is the university’s most recent Richardson Endowed Professor. In 1992, Willard and Leitha Richardson established and funded the Richardson Professorship of Education. The endowed professorship has a three-year term. Since its founding, numerous members of the education department have held this professorship. According to the donor’s wishes, during the professorship the faculty member will develop and fulfill a special project or projects with the funds generated from this endowment.  

“This conference was made possible through the funds of the Richardson Professorship Endowment,” said Stradtmann. “It was encouraging to see our graduates thriving as they navigate many of the same challenges faced by veteran educators. This new generation of teachers brings the skills and passion needed to make a meaningful impact in today’s classrooms. We pray that all who attended left feeling renewed, supported and inspired by the fellowship and learning shared at this conference.”  

"At Concordia Nebraska, our commitment to our students doesn't end when they walk across the graduation stage; we care deeply about their continued growth and success as classroom teachers,” added Kerschen. “With the Early Career Teacher Academy, we are able to provide specialized professional development, continued mentoring and vital community support these educators need in the early stages of their teaching ministry. We are so thankful for the commitment of the donors of this endowment that make this conference possible."  

Concordia University, Nebraska’s education program prepares teachers to lead, teach and serve from a foundation of faith that asserts the value of every individual. Education majors sharpen their God-given gifts as they learn to minister to future students, families, churches and communities.