Nebraska Department of Education Homepage

Staff Directory

Coordinated Student Support Services

Administration

Zainab Rida, Ph.D.
Administrator and Officer
402-471-4620
zainab.rida@nebraska.gov
Kayte Partch
Assistant Administrator
402-560-8187
kayte.partch@nebraska.gov
Dylan Lester
Office Associate
531-510-4054
dylan.lester@nebraska.gov

School Mental Health and Child Wellbeing Team

Amber Hartsock
School Mental Health
402-309-0883
amber.hartsock@nebraska.gov
Jewel Schifferns
School Social Worker
jschifferns@childrensomaha.or...

The Whole Child Program Team

Jessie Coffey
Director – The Whole Child
402-419-3205
jessie.coffey@nebraska.gov
Emily Hulse
Farm to School Network Specialist
402-523-3128
emily.hulse@nebraska.gov
Sarah Meyer
Farm to School Network Specialist
402-853-1655
sarah.m.meyer@nebraska.gov
Andrea Riley
School Health Liaison
402-471-1373
anriley@childrensnebraska.org
Kathleen Kim
Healthy Schools Program Specialist
402-610-9344
kathleen.kim@nebraska.gov
Dylan Lester
Office Associate
531-510-4054
dylan.lester@nebraska.gov

21st Century Community Learning Centers Team

Erika Wibbels
Statewide Coordinator
402-219-3897
erika.wibbels@nebraska.gov
Mariella Resendiz
Program Quality Specialist
402-309-0463
mariella.resendiz@nebraska.go...
Dylan Lester
Office Associate
531-510-4054
dylan.lester@nebraska.gov

School Safety & Security Team

Jay Martin
Director
402-471-2944
jay.martin@nebraska.gov
https://www.education.ne.gov/safety/
Ellen D'Amore
School Safety & Grants Program Specialist
402-219-1339
ellen.d'amore@nebraska.gov
Sally Carlson
Psychological First Aid Lead
PFA@nebraska.gov
https://www.education.ne.gov/safety/psychological-first-aid-for-schools-pfa-s/
Kimberly Jacobson
Suicide Prevention Specialist
SuicidePrevention@nebraska.go...
https://www.education.ne.gov/safety/suicide-prevention/

Nutrition Services Team

National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)

Kayte Partch
Director – NSLP and SFSP
402-560-8187
kayte.partch@nebraska.gov
Lauren Christensen
Coordinator – Team Nutrition, Fresh Fruit & Vegetables
402-580-2210
lauren.christensen@nebraska.g...
Jessica Furmanski
Program Specialist – School Lunch, Summer Food, Equipment Grant
308-660-8755
jessica.furmanski@nebraska.go...
Erica Arter
Program Specialist – School Lunch
402-560-8246
erica.arter@nebraska.gov
Beth Haas
Program Specialist – School Lunch
402-417-3324
beth.haas@nebraska.gov
Shawn Vondracek
Program Specialist – School Lunch
402-480-3046
shawn.vondracek@nebraska.gov
Taylor Schorsch
Program Specialist
402-405-2629
taylor.schorsch@nebraska.gov
Jenna Hilligoss
Program Specialist
402-560-8377
jenna.hilligoss@nebraska.gov
Joann Marquez
Nutrition Services Associate
joann.marquez@nebraska.gov
Aspen Kosmacek
Program Specialist-North Platte
402-560-8038
aspen.Kosmacek@nebraska.gov
Vacant
Program Specialist – North Platte

Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

Lisa Smith
Director, CACFP
402-840-0325
lisa.smith@nebraska.gov
Sandy Edwards
Program Specialist
402-540-9267
sandy.edwards@nebraska.gov
Marla Kurtenbach
Program Specialist
402-450-6278
marla.kurtenbach@nebraska.gov
Susanne Schnitzer
Program Specialist
402-326-6862
susanne.schnitzer@nebraska.go...
Megan Piehl
Program Specialist
402-429-7450
meg.piehl@nebraska.gov
Vacant
Updated June 25, 2025 2:12pm