Theresa Haack, assistant principal of Arnold Elementary and former Primarily Math student, will be awarded a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln at the Graduate Commencement ceremony on Aug. 17.
A native of O'Neill, Nebraska, Haack discovered her passion for teaching after a free period during her senior year of high school led to her helping out in a first-grade classroom. What started as a way to fill the time quickly grew into a love of helping kids learn.
"I knew then I wanted to go into elementary education," Haack said.
After completing high school Haack earned her bachelor's degree in education and human sciences, then master's degree in educational adminstration, from UNL. She has been since teaching 2008, including elementary curriculum and Grades 2, 3, and 5.
Haack has held positions at Elliott Elementary, Sheridan Elementary, and McPhee Elementary. She has been the assistant principal of Arnold Elementary since 2019.
From 2012–2014, Haack participated in Primarily Math and earned her K-3 Mathematics Specialist Certificate from UNL. She said her experience impacted her deeply, reshaping her thinking about mathematics education and access.
"I was never comfortable in math classes and didn't have huge success in math growing up," Haack said, "Primarily Math gave me the confidence to understand math deeply and teach students to understand it deeply."
Continuing education had been a goal of Haack's. By participating in Primarily Math and completing the doctoral program, she furthered her learning and deepened her understanding of mathematics education.
Haack successfully defended her dissertation, "A Case Study of Mathematical Instructional Leadership,” on July 25. Dissertation committee members included Lawrence Scharmann, professor of Teaching, Learning & Teacher Education (TLTE); Guy Trainin, courtesy professor in the School of Natural Resources and professor of TLTE; Stephanie Wessels, associate professor of TLTE; and Kelley Buchheister, associate professor of Child, Youth & Family Studies.
When asked what advice she would share with other teachers interested in earning their doctorates or continuing their education, Haack emphasized the importance of attitude.
"Having the motivation and mindset can help you succeed in continuing your education," Haack said.
Learn more about Primarily Math: https://cms.unl.edu/cas/csmce/primarily-math/
Learn more about Graduate Commencement: https://graduate.unl.edu/academics/commencement