Skip to main content

UNL Extension Early Childhood Development Educators and Specialists

Sí, hablamos español. ¡Envíanos un correo electrónico!

Lynn DeVries

Lynn DeVries

Lynn is an Early Childhood Extension Educator serving South Central Nebraska. Lynn has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Nebraska–Kearney in Vocational Family and Consumer Science Education, and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University Nebraska. Lynn is an Early Childhood Extension Educator located in Adams County. She works with childcare professionals,schools, and families to promote developmentally appropriate practices for children. Lynn has a passion for mindful self-care, social emotional learning, and early childhood nutrition and physical activity. Lynn strives to coach and model best practices for the child's primary caregivers.

Education/certifications:

M.S. Education, Curriculum and Instruction Concordia University
B.A. Education, Vocational Home Economics University of Nebraska–Kearney
Step Up to Quality Coach
Management Training for Childcare Directors
Emergency Preparedness training
Certificate in Mental Health First Aid

Specialty:

Mindful self-care; Early childhood nutrition and physical activity; Parent education; Family Engagement

Programs/services offered:

Go NAP SACC; Co-parenting for Successful Kids; Circle of Security; CHIME; Block Party; Learn, Grow, Eat, and Go; Early Care and Education Management Training (childcare directors); Safe with You; EAT Family Style Dining

Jaclynn Foged

Jaclynn Foged

Jaci is an Early Childhood CHIME program corodinator. Jaci holds a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education/Child Development from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Doane University in Crete, Nebraska. Jaci provides training to childcare providers and families in the Southeast area of Nebraska. Since the fall of 2000, Jaci has been working with children birth to 8 years of age, including eight years of center-based childcare director experience.

Education/certifications:

M.A.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction Doane University
B.S. Early Childhood Education/Child Development University of Nebraska–Lincoln
American Red Cross CPR/First Aid Instructor
American Red Cross Babysitting Instructor

Specialty:

CHIME; Mindful self-care; Early childhood nutrition and physical activity; Childcare management training; Emergency Preparedness for Childcare

Programs/services offered:

Go NAP SACC; CHIME; Block Party; Look Who's Hatching; Junior Master Gardener; The Pyramid Model; Growing Together Garden Project; Real Colors; Learn, Grow, Eat, and Go; Early Care and Education Management Training (childcare directors); Safe with You; Supervision of Children; Brain Development; Documentation of Children; Emergency Preparedness for Childcare

Jackie Guzman

Jackie Guzman

Jackie is an Early Childhood Extension Educator serving Scottsbluff and Morrill Counties. She implements early child programing for providers, educators and families of young children in the Panhandle Extension District. She also has expertise and programming focused on underserved people in the Panhandle Extension District representing culturally and racially diverse groups.

Education/certifications:

M.A. Literacy: Reading and Writing University of Nebraska–Lincoln
B.S. Elementary Education University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Specialty:

Culturally responsive early childhood practices, school-age workshops, and professional development for childcare providers, and families

Programs/services offered:

Circle of Security; CHIME; Block Party; Poverty Simulation Workshop; The Pyramid Model; Real Colors; Early Learning Guidelines

Jackie Guzman

Hayley Jackson

Hayley is an Early Childhood Extension Educator serving Lancasater county. She is passionate about coaching relationships in early childhood settings as well as the social and emotional development of children. Currently, Hayley is a doctoral student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the Child, Youth, & Family Studies department. Hayley has over 15 years of experience teaching, coaching, and directing early childhood programs.

Education/certifications:

M.S. Human Development & Family Studies, Colorado State University
B.S. Human Development & Family Studies, Arizona State University
Ph.D. (in progress) Early Childhood Education, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Specialty:

Coaching, Early Childhood Development, Social Emotional Development,

Programs/services offered:

Child Development Associates (CDA); Coaching; CHIME; Social Emotional Development

Erin Kampbell

Erin Kampbell

Erin Kampbell is an Early Childhood Extension Educator serving Madison, Stanton, Platte, and Colfax counties. Erin helps teach and support those who interact with children birth to age eight. Erin was a Nutrition Education Program Assistant in Scotts Bluff County and brings a dedication to cultivating healthy habits in children to her current work including coaching childcare providers, families, and home visitors.

Education/certifications:

M.S. Child, Youth, and Family Studies (International Family Studies) University of Nebraska-Lincoln
B.A. English Literature University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Specialty:

Early Childhood Health and Wellness, Caregiver/Educator Health and Wellbeing

Programs/services offered:

Child Development Associate (CDA PDS), CHIME, Co-parenting for Successful Kids, Look Who’s Hatching, Summer Learning Kits, Preschool CLASS observation, EAT Family Style Dining, Go NAPSACC, Block Party, Read for Resilience, Pyramid Model, Pyramid Model Coaching, Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE), Deep Dive Learning Series, Early Learning Guidelines.

Erin Kampbell

Ingrid Lindall Chavarria

Ingrid is an Early Childhood Extension Educator serving Adams, Clay, Fillmore, Jefferson, Nuckolls, Saline, Thayer, and Webster counties. Her focus is delivering training and resources for early childhood providers, families and children. Prior to Nebraska Extension, she has five years of teaching experiencce providing the education and caring of young children, ages two through six. Ingrid also offers specialized early childhood training for childcare providers who speak Spanish.

Education/certifications:

M.S. Human Services and Family Studies with an emphasis in Early Childhood, Kansas State University
B.S. Early Childhood Education, Universidad Latina de Costa Rica

Specialty:

Challenging Behaviors, Early Childhood Development, Early Childhood Teaching Practices, Play, Social Emotional Development

Programs/services offered:

CHIME, Child Development Associates (CDA), Co-parenting for Successful Kids, Clover Kids, Read for Resilience, Block Party, Professional Development en español, Pyramid Model

Emily Manning

Emily Manning

Emily Manning is an Early Childhood Extension Educator serving six counties: Butler, Hamilton, Merrick, Polk, Seward, and York. Emily received a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Family Consumer Science Education, and a Master’s Degree from the University of Missouri in Human Development and Family Studies. She provides resources and trainings to early care and education providers in Nebraska to support young children’s growth and learning. Emily has experience teaching Family and Consumer Science in the public school system and has provided trainings to adults through Missouri Extension’s Show Me Healthy Relationships program. While working in the public school system, Emily served on the Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS) team at the school and district level to help support students’ academic and social-emotional needs.

Education/certifications:

M.A. Human Development and Family Studies, University of Missouri
B. S. Education and Human Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Specialty:

Social-emotional development, mindful self-care, parent education and relationships, early childhood teaching practices, social media

Programs/services offered:

Block Party; CHIME; The Pyramid Model; Bringing Baby Home, The Good Life in Early Life Podcast, Challenging Behaviors

Katie Krause

Katie Krause

Katie Krause is an Early Childhood Extension Educator serving Douglas and Sarpy counties. Katie has extensive experience in a variety of early childhood settings, including as a teacher, intervention specialist, director, trainer, and coach. The majority of Katie's work is focused on professional development and coaching for early childhood educators, but she also does some work directly with children and families. While there is a wide variety of topics that Katie teaches, she has been specializing in her work in the areas of quality programming and nature-based learning.

Education/certifications:

Ph.D. (in the process) Human Sciences (Early Childhood) UNL
M.A. Early Childhood Education The Ohio State University
B. S. Human Development and Family Science (Early Childhood Development and Early Intervention) The Ohio State University

Specialty:

Developing quality, early learning programs, and nature-based learning.

Programs/services offered:

Clover Kids; Circle of Security; CHIME; Block Party; Look Who's Hatching; The Pyramid Model; Growing Together Garden Project; Real Colors; Learn, Grow, Eat, and Go; Early Learning Guidelines; Read for Joy; CLASS; Environment Rating Scales; Nature-based learning; natural learning environments; Preventing Obesity by Design; Challenging Behaviors; STEM in Early Childhood; Child-centered practice; Cure for Cabin Fever: Indoor and Outdoor activities for children.

Lisa Poppe

Lisa Poppe

Lisa is an Early Childhood Extension Educator serving Burt, Cuming, Dodge, Saunders and Washington Counties in Nebraska. Lisa spent 10 years as a Child Care Center director and taught preschool before becoming an Extension Educator. She devotes her time to teaching child care providers about the social well-being of children and providing quality experiences for children in their care. Lisa is a Rooted in Relationships Coach and a CDA Specialist which allows her to assist child care providers in building positive relationships and providing quality care to children.

Education/certifications:

M.S. Family and Consumer Sciences University of Nebraska–Lincoln
B.S. Home Economics (Family and Consumer Science/Early Childhood Development) University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Rooted in Relationships coach
Early Learning Guidelines trainer

Specialty:

the social and emotional well-being of children

Programs/services offered:

Clover Kids; Go NAP SACC; Co-parenting for Successful Kids; CHIME; Block Party; Fit and Healthy Kids; Building Bridges; Junior Master Gardener; The Pyramid Model; Learn, Grow, Eat, and Go; Early Learning Guidelines; EAT Family Style Dining; Baby STEM; Fun with Numbers; Maker Space

Linda Reddish

Linda Reddish

Linda is a Statewide Extension Educator on Early Childhood team, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska Extension. Linda is responsible for the overall leadership and implementation of Nebraska Extension's Co-Parenting for Successful Kids program. She is a bilingual Child Development Associate (CDA) PDS specialist and responsible for the team's overall implementation of a national partnership with the Council for Professional Recognition to support PD Specialists in the state of Nebraska. Linda also guides a series of online professional development which covers a range of early childhood topics.

Education/certifications:

M.Ed. Early Childhood Education at Concordia University
B.A. Early Childhood Education Kendall College
Infant-Toddler Specialist

Specialty:

Co-parenting, divorce education, infant-toddler development, and administering and leading child care programs

Programs/services offered:

Child Development Associates (CDA), Co-parenting for Successful Kids; Real Colors; CHIME, CLASS, EAT Family Style Dining

Sarah Paulos

Sarah Roberts

Sarah Roberts is an Early Childhood Extension Educator serving Dixon, Dakota, Wayne, Cedar, and Thurston counties. Sarah graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.A. in Music Administration and has an M.Ed in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from Auburn University Montgomery. She focuses mainly on informal education and has worked at the Montgomery Zoo in Montgomery, Alabama, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, and, most recently, Ponca State Park. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Child, Youth, and Family Studies. Sarah loves teaching kids and adults about science, nature, and the environment and is excited to share this passion with her community.

Education/certifications:

M.Ed Early Childhood/Elementary Education at Auburn University Montgomery
B.A. Music Administration/General Business University of Alabama

Specialty:

STEM; Nature/environmental education

Programs/services offered:

Child Development Associates (CDA), 4-H School Enrichment Programming; Clover Kids; Go NAP SACC; Block Party; Scratch Jr.; Growing Up Wild; Early Learning Guidelines

Jackie Steffen

Jackie Steffen

Jackie is an Early Childhood Extension Educator serving Cedar, Knox, Antelope, Boone, and Nance Counties. Jackie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Mount Marty College and a Master’s degree from the University of South Dakota as a Reading Specialist. Jackie has 7 years of experience as an elementary school teacher and 9 years of experience as a Nebraska Extension 4-H/Youth Development Educator. Jackie provides training to early childhood professionals, families, and children focusing on literacy development and fostering a lifelong love of reading.

Education/certifications:

M.A. Education, Reading Specialist at University of South Dakota
B.A. Elementary Education Mount Marty College
State of Nebraska and South Dakota Teacher License

Specialty:

Child Development Associates (CDA), Clover Kids, Literacy Development; STEM; Summer Reading, Read for Resilience

Programs/services offered:

4-H School Enrichment Programming, Clover Kids, CHIME, 4-H STEM Reading Connections, Read for the Record

LaDonna Werth

LaDonna Werth

LaDonna is an Early Childhood Extension Educator serving North Central counties. She has a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Nebraska–Kearney in Vocational Family and Consumer Science Education and a Master's Degree from the University of Nebraska–Kearney in Education. She holds an active Nebraska teaching certificate. LaDonna focuses on early childhood development and works with schools, teachers, early care and education providers, and families in rural areas of Nebraska. LaDonna has over ten years of experience in developing online classes for early childhood professionals. Her team is known for the Fit and Healthy Kids series for early childhood professionals. Creative in technology and being future-oriented, LaDonna brings research-based information to life in her work. LaDonna loves living the rural life with her family in O’Neill and spending quality time in the warm summer sun on the Missouri River.

Education/certifications:

M.A. Education University of Nebraska–Kearney
B.S. Vocational Family and Consumer Science Education University of Nebraska–Kearney
Nebraska Teaching certificate

Specialty:

online classes for early childhood professionals; Fit and Healthy Kids series for early childhood professionals; Creative in technology

Programs/services offered:

4-H School Enrichment Programming; Clover Kids; CHIME; Block Party; Fit and Healthy Kids; Building Bridges; The Pyramid Model; EAT Family Style Dining; Learn, Grow, Eat, and Go; Safe with You; Baby STEM; Fun with Numbers; Maker Space; Your Intensions As an Early Childhood Educators

Tasha Wulf

Tasha Wulf

Tasha Wulf is an Early Childhood Extension Educator serving Southwest Nebraska. Tasha teaches and supports families and childcare providers who care for and educate children from birth to age eight. Tasha has more than 20 years of experience in the Early Childhood Education field. The majority of these years were spent working with families and children at risk. She specializes in Infant and Toddler care and development.

Education/certifications:

M.A.Ed. Early Childhood Education at Concordia University
B.S. Human Resources and Family Science University of Nebraska–Omaha
Infant Specialist Certificate Erikson Institute
State of Nebraska Teacher License
The Growing Braining trainer Zero to Three

Specialty:

Child Development Associates (CDA), Infants and toddlers

Programs/services offered:

Go NAP SACC; CHIME; Block Party; Look Who's Hatching; Scratch Jr.; The Pyramid Model; Learn, Grow, Eat, and Go; Early Learning Guidelines; CLASS; EAT Family Style Dining; Teaching Pyramid Observation Tool (TPOT)

Did you know our Early Childhood Team has Extension Specialists conducting national research studies right here in Nebraska?

Learn more about how they are translating research into practice: