The Board of Regents is pleased to present a KUDOS award to Samantha Malone, lead teacher at the LaVonne Kopecky Plambeck Early Childhood Education Center at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
Mrs. Sam has continuously set new standards in support of the University mission and the work being done at the Center. Throughout every transition and challenge, she has remained committed, adaptable, and overwhelmingly positive.
She began at the Plambeck Center as an Office Associate. She became a Behavior Specialist as the center focused on addressing challenging behaviors through the Pyramid Model using positive support. Utilizing her background in Occupational Therapy she worked closely with Director Chelsea Bartling to help develop strategies for behavior support for classroom teachers and students. She then transitioned into the role of Lead Teacher in the Infant Classroom.
Samantha’s impact is felt by the youngest learners and their families as she provides a nurturing, supportive environment for infants while helping families navigate the experience of leaving their babies in care for the first time. Her dedication is deepened by her personal experiences as the mother of a NICU micro-preemie. The invaluable knowledge and training she gained related to infant development, feeding support, and family-centered care, she now brings to her classroom every day. She also serves as a role model and mentor to the UNK students that work in her room.
She is currently working toward a degree in education. She still assists the Director with behavior-related concerns as needed, provides behavior intervention materials and social stories to classroom teachers, and contributes office support through administrative tasks. Her willingness to step in where needed, combined with her expertise, compassion, and dedication, makes her an invaluable member of the Plambeck Center team.
In every role, she consistently demonstrates resilience and an unwavering commitment to do what is best for the Center, its children and families, and the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
Joining her as she receives this award are her husband, Shawn, and Director Chelsea Bartling. Please help me thank Samantha for her dedication to the LaVonne Kopecky Plambek Center and the University of Nebraska.