Katherine Schwarz

I have over 17 years of experience in the education world. That experience ranges from curriculum development to teaching in public school classrooms to coaching to nonprofit work and everything in between!

I hold a Nebraska State Teaching Certificate and am certified in Mental Health First Aid and QPR. I have done extensive work in curriculum development and have a passion for making education as relevant and engaging as it possibly can be!

MIDLAND UNIVERSITY - FREMONT, NE:

January 2022-Present

• Maintained records of 150-170 second year-graduating students
  • Audited degree progress each semester to ensure graduation timelines were met
  • Kept accurate records using technology such as Google Forms, Google Sheets, Notability, and others
• Met with students who were on academic probation and recovery to set up success plans and monitor progress throughout the semester
• Built relationships and community with students by attending outside activities - athletic events, performing arts, etc.
• Taught MID101 The Midland University Experience - first year orientation

LAURITZEN GARDENS - OMAHA, NE:

January 2019 - January 2022

• Assisted the leadership team in designing the components of the new Children's Garden
  • Provided educational insights to the architects/leadership team throughout the design process
• Designed all curriculum for summer camps - four camps total
• Hired and supervised interns for summer camps
• Taught workshops and classes to people ranging from PreK all the way to adults
• Took students and teachers on guided academic tours of the indoor and outdoor components of the gardens
  • PreK students through college-aged students
• Maintained accurate records (via Google Forms and Microsoft Excel) to organize school field trips
• Designed large-scale events such as Ghoulish Gardens, Easter Extravaganza, and others
  • Was in charge of communicating with visiting exhibitors, working with other departments within the gardens to set up vendors, and overall organization of events
• Organized the scheduling of garden volunteers to support school tours
• Designed all curriculum for guided tours
  • Created totes that held all the materials needed for an instructor or volunteer to grab and go teach out in the gardens
  • Wrote lesson plans for each individual tote

DANIEL J. GROSS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL - BELLEVUE, NE:

May 2020-October 2022

• Responsible for the all hitting/offensive skills
• Wrote practice plans and developed strength training for offensive skills
• Evaluated offensive production and wrote practice plans to better student-athletes
• Assisted with defensive practice schemes as needed
• Maintained accurate team statistics
• Collaborated with other coaches on a daily basis to ensure growth for student-athletes

MILLARD PUBLIC SCHOOLS - OMAHA, NE:

August 2008-August 2018 

• Served as a member of the social students curriculum development team at the district level
  • Responsible for evaluating materials that would be used for K-12 curriculum adoption
  • Created course guides for K-12
  • Presented new curriculum materials during fall workshop for K-5 teachers
• Developed from scratch an after school program that gave students in grades 3-5 leadership opportunities throughout our community and within our school.
• Established “STEAM Time” for all fifth grade classrooms to encourage students to explore the different aspects of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics
• Built a leadership program for grades 3-5 centered around the 40 Developmental Assets
• Was a founding member of the school-wide Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) team.
  • Worked with a broad range of staff members to design and support a positive learning environment.
• Taught engaging and well-planned lessons to 20-25 fifth grade students
• Collaborated with special education staff and 5th grade teammates to better serve individual needs of students
• Communicated with parents of students on a regular basis to inform them of student needs, celebrations, and progress.

Professional Certifications:

Nebraska Teaching Certificate, Grades K-6

Coaching Endorsement, Grades 7-12

College Student Wellbeing - Trauma and Resilience (Florida State University)

QPR Gatekeeper Certificate - Suicide Prevention

Mental Health First Aid USA (National Council for Mental Wellbeing)

May 2013 Midland University - Fremont, NE

Master of Arts degree

Elementary Leadership and Administration

4.0 GPA

May 2008 Midland University (formerly Midland Lutheran College) - Fremont, NE

Bachelor of Arts degree

Elementary Education

Coaching Certificate

3.6 GPA

Student-athlete