As the school year winds down, students aren’t the only ones reflecting on a year full of growth, challenges, and change. This year, Lincoln East High School welcomed several new first-year teachers to its faculty; Madelyn Kreifels, Erin Bell and Kerry Florell. As the last day of school approaches, these educators reflect on their first year in the classroom.

East High School is made up of an amazing staff that frequently change year to year. East students are extremely lucky to have teachers who are motivated and passionate to teach, especially these phenomenal newcomers.

Florell is a business teacher that’s always greeting people in the hallways and trying to brighten people’s day. Her children go to East and her husband is a former Spartan as well, influencing her decision in teaching at the school.

“I hope to think I create a lot of engagement and really try to help keep people positive and promote a warm and welcoming environment for folks,” Florell said.

Florell decided to become a teacher in 2021 when she discovered there was a substitute teacher shortage. Shortly after becoming a sub for LPS, Florell went back to school and got her masters to become a business teacher.

“I really want to see where my influence can make the greatest impact,” Florell said.

Bell is an English teacher and her classes this year include English 10, Horror Literature and Science Fiction, as well as being the assistant theater director.

“I graduated from East in 2020 and then I went to Nebraska Wesleyan where I originally studied political science,” Bell said. “I then switched my major my sophomore year to English Language Arts Education and Theater Education Endorsement.”

Bell hopes that through her teaching and variety of involvements this past year, she was able to provide her students with a better understanding of literature and a comforting place where people want to be.

“It’s really nice to have a group of people who are constantly checking in on me and seeing how I’m doing in my first year,” Bell said. “The first year is a really big learning curve and there are a lot of things you don’t realize you don’t know until you’re actually in it.”

Kreifels is an East alum who attended UNL and earned a degree in Family Consumer Science. She currently teaches Intro to Health Sciences, Intro to Fashion and Interior Design, and Families and Crisis, as well as sponsoring HOSA, a club with a medical focus.

“I love working with students,” Kreifels said. “I love when I’m teaching and I want to make a difference in other people’s lives.”

Next year Kreifels hopes to find ways to make her classes even better, by finding new and engaging activities and tasks for students.

All of East’s new first-year teachers are excited to return next year with new ideas and more confidence. East students and staff can’t wait to see what they bring to the table next year!