In 2011, we began with one mission — to change the persistent, negative narrative about public schools. From short films about the positive, unexpected happenings in today’s classroom to feature films about societal issues impacting students and families, we document the stories of public schools across Nebraska to build awareness, empathy, and support. This week, we’re highlighting the crew who helps make this possible.

Since 2011, Sally has interviewed more than 500 people and directed more than 40 films to raise awareness about the high-quality public education in Nebraska. Most recently she has turned her attention to creating longer-form I Love Public Schools films, documentaries focused on the ways societal issues impact public schools and what schools are doing to protect, understand, and empower students to be successful. Prior to this campaign, Sally ran a successful practice providing creative direction and story development for many of the largest banks and investment managers in the country. Sally is a proud graduate of Ashland-Greenwood High School. 

Amanda keeps the wheels moving for our project and she oversees each individual shoot down to the last detail. In her role, she conducts pre-interviews and assembles the puzzle pieces, logistics, and planning it takes to create our documentary films. From research and story collection, working directly with participating schools and identifying interviewees, to scheduling filming days, creating shot lists and everything in between, she leads the production process to ensure we have enough content to adequately tell each story. Since she joined the team in 2012, she has helped us evolve into the storytellers we are today. She is a proud graduate of Westside High School. 

One of the biggest goals of our project is to share the message of the stories we create. In her role, Brittany is tasked with and responsible for just that: the distribution of our films. Through telling our story, she creates companion campaign pieces for the documentary films, including the project’s TV, radio, and social media. In-person, she connects with teachers, students, and community leaders to encourage others across the state and country to share the ​‘I Love Public Schools’ message online and in the community. She’s also the creator of I Love Public Schools Day holiday, celebrated nationally each January. Brittany is a proud graduate of Millard South High School. 

As a cinematographer, Andrew has worked on the Nebraska Loves Public Schools project since the very beginning. After taking a three-year hiatus to live abroad with his wife and family, he has since returned as our full-time Director of Photography.  He has an unparalleled ability to make everyone feel as if he or she has known him forever. It is through this establishment of comfort and trust that we are able to capture the most authentic stories possible. After wrapping up a soccer career at Nebraska Wesleyan University, Andrew has traveled the world pursuing a passion for helping those in need. His experience as a student at a Native American reservation and other high-poverty schools in Nebraska helped to provide a deep understanding of issues in education that help inform our films. He is a proud graduate of Omaha North High School. 

As a friend and follower of Nebraska Loves Public Schools since the beginning, Nicole seamlessly joined our team last year to help us reach more Nebraskans with our message. She’s responsible for overseeing our short- and long-term goals and keeps our team on track. As a designer by trade, she’s also responsible for extending and advancing the look and feel of our brand online, on our merchandise, and in-person. Nicole is a recovering PTA President and passionate advocate for parental engagement in public schools. She is also a proud graduate of Adams Central Jr-Sr High School.

Bekah is our newest hire. She graduated from Grace University with a degree in Communication Studies. Although she has only lived in Nebraska for the past 10 years, she considers it her home and loves all of the people in it. She’s responsible for our communications, events, and our community partnerships with News Channel Nebraska and NCSA Ambassadors. If you ever want to get on Bekah’s good side, coffee will almost always do the trick… also, pictures of puppies help too. Bekah is a proud graduate of Holdrege High School.