At the start of the Aug. 8 meeting the board welcomed Lindsay Wilson, the Nebraska 2025 Teacher of the Year and a middle school teacher with Bennington Public Schools. Wilson introduced two students, Ulysses Hale and Lucy Hunt, who described classroom projects that emphasized collaboration and student-led research, including a student symposium on moon jelly populations.

Wilson described collaboration as a through-line in her work: "Collaboration has been what's held it together for us the whole time," she said, and encouraged board members to listen to student voices during policy discussions. Student speakers detailed class projects emphasizing teamwork and independent inquiry.

Separately, Commissioner Maher and board members publicly thanked Deputy Commissioner Brian Halstead for 35 years at the Nebraska Department of Education. Maher praised Halstead’s professionalism and long service, and Halstead offered brief remarks about his career and the privilege of working with educators.

These ceremonial recognitions bookended the board’s business and highlighted classroom practice and long-term public service.