OAEYC Board Members
President
Jen Haggart works at ESU #3 as the Early Childhood Professional Development Coordinator for Cass, Douglas, Sarpy and Washington counties. She considers herself truly lucky to be working in the early childhood field and to have the opportunity to touch the lives of young children and the adults important in their lives. Her interests include sports, especially NASCAR and the NFL, listening to music and reading. She and her husband, Jim, are the proud parents of three "kids" (aka: dogs). As President of Omaha AEYC, she looks forward to leading the members of the organization in the important work of elevating the early childhood profession - we need to be our own strongest supporters! Jen's hope is that her vision, enthusiasm, and dedication will be contagious!!
Past-President
Dawn Hove is the current President of the Omaha Association for the Education of Young Children. She has been on the OAEYC board for 10 years in various board roles. Dawn has over 20 years experience working in the early childhood education field and has been an advocate for children for the last 15 years. She has testified on behalf of children's issues. Dawn is the director of the University of Nebraska at Omaha Child Care Center, an NAEYC accredited program and has been here for 14 years. She has a Masters in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. Dawn has been a member of the National Coalition for Campus Children’s Centers (NCCCC) for 12 years and she was a NAEYC Validator for 8 years. She has served on several committees and facilitated workshops and trainings. Dawn spends as much time as she can with her family and she enjoys reading and sewing. As an early childhood professional, Dawn takes pride in becoming involved in the profession and wants to make a difference in the life of a child.
Secretary
Linda Reddish Linda works at Spellman Child Development Center which is part of Bright Horizons Family Solutions. She is the Lead Toddler and Two’s teacher and works primarily with young twos. She finds working with this age group to be both challenging and extremely rewarding. Along with teaching in the classroom, she also supervises three other classrooms. Her biggest passion is supporting parents and creating an environment that fosters partnerships between teachers and families to flourish. Linda is originally from the Chicago-land area, and found her way to Omaha when her husband was stationed at Offutt Air Force Base. She and her husband are the loving “parents” of an inquisitive Schnauzer named Max. Her interests include reading and scrapbooking, she is also a vegetarian. She is not afraid to admit that she is an avid Wii player (it brings out the kid in her). As Secretary, she hopes to provide support for those in the early childhood field and work with both board members and community leaders to improve the lives of young children throughout the Omaha area. She ultimately hopes to see that all children receive the highest quality education that they deserve.
Treasurer
Rick Jacobsen Rick is currently working at the University of Nebraska at Omaha Childcare Center as the Opening Supervisor—Food Tech—to Classroom Floating Assistant (basically: Rick-of-all-trades). In the past, Rick has worked with a before and after school-age program as well as with children with special needs. Rick has degrees in business management and accounting. He worked in the business field for several years prior to his early childhood career. As a treasurer, Rick has made a commitment to keep this organization accountable to its members and children we serve. In his spare time, Rick enjoys reading, music, sports, and volunteering.
Chair of Accreditation
Brenda Saxe earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Kutztown University in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education and has over 22 years experience in leadership roles in early childhood programs including 13 years with military child development programs in Greece, England and Texas. She is currently Administrator of Lillie’s House Intergenerational Child Development Center in Bellevue, Nebraska. Brenda has been associated with local NAEYC affiliates since college, has presented workshops and training in England, Texas, Germany, Nebraska and at the national NAEYC Conference. She is a native of Pennsylvania and is a daughter, sister, wife and mother. Brenda is a strong believer in high quality care for all children.
Co-Chair of Member Outreach
Gina Whittington Gina is an active child advocate working to help children and families in the Omaha community. She is employed at The James R Russell Child Development center at Creighton University in Omaha, and in the future she hopes to receive her Masters degree in Early Childhood Education. Gina is married to her best friend and together they have a son and a very spoiled Boston Retriever, named Sumo. She and her family enjoy spending as much time together as their busy schedules allow. Gina believes every day should be filled with happiness and laughter and looks forward to spreading positive energy to all those around her.
Co-Chair of Member Outreach
Erica Thompson was the first TEACH recipient in the state of Nebraska; earning her AA degree in Early Childhood Education then going on to earn her Bachelor’s degree in Human and Social Administration from Bellevue University. She has worked in the ECE field for twenty years as a teacher, Parent Educator and Director. Erica is currently the director at the Edward Zorinsky CDC, managed by Bright Horizons, in downtown Omaha. She is a native Texan and a wife, mother, sister and daughter to a wonderful family. Erica believes that every child, regardless of socioeconomic background or race, deserves a high quality early child care experience.
Co-Chair of Professional Development
Sandy Peterson Sandy is a retired administrator, educator and trainer. She received her Bachelor’s of Science degree from Concordia University of Nebraska, her Master’s of Science degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and her Administrative degree from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. She has over 30 years of experience in leadership roles in early childhood programs specific to children with special needs. Sandy currently serves as the treasurer for the Parent Training and Information Center-Nebraska and has held numerous offices and membership in the Nebraska Council for Exceptional Children, Nebraska Council of School Administrators, Nebraska Association of Special Education Supervisors, National Very Special Arts, and state and federal stakeholder groups. Sandra owns Sandra Peterson Consulting. She is currently contracting with the Nebraska Department of Education in the areas of special education early childhood, Part C birth to age three programs/materials, and numerous other agencies. She is trained on many of the department’s early childhood initiatives as well as Response to Intervention initiatives. Sandy is a native of Nebraska. She has been married to her husband, Steve, for over forty years. They have two children and six grandchildren. She’s an avid reader of materials related to personal and professional growth. Sandy believes that every outcome, whether positive or negative, is a learning opportunity.
Co-Chair of Professional Development
Angel Starks is the Program Coordinator of the GBT Children’s Academy, an early childhood preparatory school. She is an alumna of Omaha Central High School and a current student at UNO. Her major is Nonprofit Business & Organization with secondary fields in Elementary Education and Spanish. She is a graduate of the United Way Blueprint Program and seeks to work in the nonprofit sector. Her passion is to make a difference in the world, one community at a time. Angel believes that children are the future, and she dedicates herself to building the future. Her hobbies are singing, dancing and reading and she enjoys spending time with her church family. Angel is a lifelong learner and hopes to assist in providing the necessary tools for all early childhood teachers to be successful. Her motto for life is “Everything happens for a reason!”
Chair of Public Policy
Dave Schinzel is married to Mibby Huber Schinzel. He graduated from Central High School, Omaha, in 1982 and received a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science), from George Washington University, Washington, DC, in 1986; a Bachelor of Science (Education), University of Nebraska-Omaha, in 2001 and a Master of Science (Early Childhood Education), University of Nebraska-Omaha, in 2003. Dave is the Legislative staff of Nebraska State Senator Gwen Howard after having been a Lead Preschool 2-School Age Teacher at UNO Child Center from 2001-2005. He is a member of: OAEYC Board, Dundee-Memorial Park Neighborhood Association Board, Midtown Neighborhood Alliance Board (Dundee-MP NA Representative), and Central High School Alumni Association (Treasurer).
Co-Chair Week of the Young Child
Jana Habrock has been an early childhood professional, working with young children and their families for over fifteen years. She is currently the Program Coordinator for the Child Saving Institute’s Child Development Program. In her spare time, Jana is an avid reader, enjoys shopping and spending time with her family and friends. As a board member for the OAEYC, Jana serves as the Week of the Young Child co-chair. She will work to make the Week of the Young Child event an exciting time to celebrate young children and raise awareness for the need of quality early childhood programs and experiences for young children. Jana hopes it becomes an event to bring our community together for children.
Co-Chair Week of the Young Child
Linda Thompson, Linda earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. She has also earned 25 graduate hours in Early Childhood Education at UNO. She is a former Omaha Public School teacher. She currently is Director of the Rainbow Factory Preschool at First United Methodist Church in Omaha. She currently serves on the Prevent Blindness Nebraska Board of Directors, formerly on the Kid Vision Board. Linda is a native Nebraskan who enjoys entertaining, nature, and her family.
Chair of Board Development
Phyllis Chandler, Phyllis continues to be excited and challenged by her professional involvement in early childhood after more than 40 years as a teacher, director, and consultant, including center- and home-based child care and special education settings. She is the author of two books, one published by NAEYC. At present, she is an independent consultant and trainer, and has participated in the development of many projects that benefit early childhood professionals. She is also a part-time nanny to five children, which provides her with a continuous source of fresh stories to share with colleagues and training participants. She and her husband Glenn have four children and four grandchildren. Phyllis enjoys gardening, reading, cooking, and needlework.