Nebraska Loves Public Schools is dedicated to supporting public education one documentary film at a time. Nebraska Loves Public Schools will work closely with NCSA, its Ambassadors and NPSA to increase the collective coverage of positive public school stories happening throughout the school year.

Nebraska Loves Public Schools asked each of the three NCSA Ambassadors to tell us more about their experience in public education and why this role will be so crucial to spreading the success stories of our schools. Here’s what we learned from Ambassador Cinde Wendell. Follow her online @NCSACinde. For the original story, click here.

NELOVESPS: Tell us a little about yourself. What drew you to education and what keeps drawing you back in?

Wendell: I graduated from UNL and started teaching in a Dawson County Class I school because I loved working with children and loved the rural life. Public schools and agriculture have been the main focus in my life. I have been married to my husband, Monte Wendell who is a farmer, for 42 years, and we have two grown children and five grand children. Our son is a fifth generation farmer in Gosper County. Our daughter is an occupational therapist for Lincoln Public Schools. I am continually drawn to education because that is what I love. I truly believe that education is the key to success and a free and appropriate public education must be available to all.

NELOVESPS: Before you became an NCSA Ambassador, what was your role in education in Nebraska?

Wendell: Throughout my career in education, I have worked as an elementary teacher, school psychologist, special education director, principal, and superintendent. I retired from Holdrege Public Schools in 2011. Since retiring, I have done adjunct work with University of Nebraska at Kearney and continue to do adjunct teaching with the Ed.S. program at Doane University. I served as an interim superintendent for Sumner-Eddyville-Miller School and worked as a consultant with the Nebraska Association of School Board Educational Leadership Search Service.

NELOVESPS: What are you looking forward to most as an NCSA Ambassador?

Wendell: I am passionate about supporting all the good things that our public schools do for our Nebraska students and families [who are] working side-by-side with their communities and businesses. Working in parallel with Nebraska Loves Public Schools, we have an incredible story to tell about public school education in Nebraska. I am proud to be an NCSA Ambassador and have the opportunity [to] promote public schools because there is “No Place Like Nebraska” is so many ways, but especially in public education.

NELOVESPS: What’s the biggest issue facing Nebraska public schools?

Wendell: Funding is always a big issue in Nebraska. Public schools are expected (and strive) to do more and more with limited resources. Poverty and social issues create challenges in education. Preparing students from early childhood to transitioning to the work place and higher education in a global environment is so important. Thanks to our dedicated educators and supportive communities and business, we will continue to meet all the challenges that come our way in public education.

NELOVESPS: What do you wish the average citizen knew about public schools here?

Wendell:  I want everyone to know what a great job our Nebraska Public Schools do to educate ALL of our students. Public schools welcome all students no matter what their abilities, disabilities, race, social economic status, etc. Public schools take everyone. Our students test well nationally even though funding is one of the lowest nationally.

NELOVESPS: What’s your hope for the future of public schools in Nebraska?

Wendell: My hope for Nebraska public schools is to strive for excellence, continue to meet the needs of all students with the appropriate financial and social support both locally and on the state level.