ABOUT US
Stand For Schools is advancing
public education in Nebraska.
Public education reflects Nebraska’s values. Public schools are open to all, they are free and fair, and they provide fiscally conservative oversight of taxpayer dollars through elected school boards.
Nebraska has developed public schools that work. Our state boasts the second-highest high school graduation rate in the country, one of the nation’s top ACT scores, and the seventh-highest college-going rate in the nation. The vast majority of Nebraskans, nearly 80 percent, support public education, according to recent Gallup polls. We know public education works, and we need to pursue further improvements to meet our state’s changing needs.
Ann Hunter-Pirtle founded Stand For Schools in 2016 to support our public schools’ history of success and to find innovative ways to make them even stronger — through opportunities like early childhood education, school to career pathways, and before- and after-school and summer programming. We believe our state does best when we come up with Nebraska solutions to Nebraska challenges. Education is no exception.
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Dunixi is the proud son of immigrants and the product of quality public education. At an early age, he learned not all public schools are created equal and that, sometimes, a few miles or blocks can make a big difference.
While studying Political Science at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln and the University of Nebraska- Kearney, Dunixi worked with a variety of causes and organizations striving to build a stronger, more equitable society. This led to a career in activism that allowed him to travel all over the state, visiting communities and meeting Nebraskans with a deep and enduring pride in their local public school.s.
Dunixi believes public education is the silver bullet to many of society’s problems, and he's committed to fight every day until every child - no matter their zip code - is given the tools necessary to reach their full potential.
DUNIXI GUERECA
Executive Director
With a background in public health and nonprofit leadership, Abby brings a passion for building strong communities and creating systems that help organizations make a greater impact. Her public health experience shaped her understanding that the conditions in which people live, learn, and grow have a significant impact on their health and opportunities, and that strong public schools are essential to healthy, thriving communities.
Before joining Stand For Schools, Abby spent nearly a decade with the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands, where she led complex projects, managed statewide programs, and supported organizational operations. She earned her Master of Public Health from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and her Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education from the University of Kansas.
Abby is passionate about community engagement and believes lasting change is built through strong relationships and collaboration. She is a member of the Women’s Fund of Omaha’s Circles program and has served in leadership and volunteer roles with a variety of nonprofit organizations throughout Nebraska.
ABBY HUGHES
Operations & Outreach Manager
As a former Stand for Schools intern and public school educator, Vanessa has demonstrated a love for public education and a fierce commitment to supporting and strengthening our public schools.
In college Vanessa gained valuable experience advocating for access to and equity in higher education and became familiar with testifying when she and fellow classmates felt that proposed policies would put academic freedom at risk and undermine the teaching profession.
Vanessa's combined professional and lived experiences as a first-generation Latina have instilled in her the passion and purpose to advocate for policies that benefit Nebraska schools. Vanessa firmly maintains that collaboration and centering equity is crucial to accomplishing intentional, lasting change and she looks forward to building relationships with changemakers across the state.
VANESSA CHAVEZ JUARDO
Policy & Outreach Manager
As a Communications and Outreach Specialist at Stand For Schools, Brooke aims to leverage her unique background, combining early childhood education with her commitment to advocacy and community engagement.
Hailing from rural Nebraska, Brooke possesses an awareness of how geographical nuances can significantly shape the educational landscape. A devoted champion of public education, Brooke draws inspiration from her journey as a proud beneficiary of quality Nebraska public education. During her time at the University of Nebraska, she acquired the skills to communicate effectively and cultivated critical thinking and adaptability—integral traits for navigating the multifaceted aspects of advocacy work.
With a belief that quality public education is a powerful solution to societal challenges, Brooke promises to safeguard the educational rights of all children.
BROOKE CRUMB
Communications & Outreach Specialist
OUR
BOARD
Dr. Pearson - aka Mama Beast - is a mother, activist, author, educator, speaker, poet, comedian, cook, sourdough artist, and citizen of the world. She founded the Secret Kindness Agents Project and is an Assistant Professor of Teacher Education at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She has been teaching humans of all ages for 22 years in the Omaha area. As a Kenyan Indian Muslim immigrant queer disabled woman of color, she is passionate about working towards Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Kindness. She has received national and local awards for her work in education and social justice, has authored two books, and has been featured as a speaker on the TEDx Omaha stage. Her Secret Kindness Agents Project has been featured at Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation, Hallmark, Parents Magazine, Learning for Justice website and magazine, Midwest Living Magazine, and more. Her goal is to make sure you know that you are loved and that you are enough just the way you are. She lives in Omaha with her family.
DR. FERIAL PEARSON
Gabriel lives and works in Omaha, NE, where he works at the University of Nebraska-Omaha as an instructor in the College of Education.
DR. GABRIEL GUTIÉRREZ
Drew Blessing lives and works in Kearney, NE, where he serves as the President of the Kearney School Board.
DREW BLESSING
Jerry Bexten is retired. He worked for The Sherwood Foundation from 2006 until 2021 as the Director of Education Initiatives. Prior to joining The Sherwood Foundation, he worked for the Omaha Public Schools for thirty-three years. He taught middle school history and language arts for twelve years and was an assistant principal for ten years. He then served as principal at Lewis and Clark Middle School and at Central High School. Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Creighton University and master’s degrees in history and educational administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He and his wife Karen are the proud parents of two daughters, Lauren and Claire. He believes strongly in the value of public education.
JERRY BEXTEN
Kristin Christensen currently serves on the Nebraska State Board of Education, is the Nebraska Program Manager for Reach Out and Read, and was a former special education teacher in Lincoln Public Schools. Kristin holds a Master of Education Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Mild/Moderate Disabilities from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
As an educator, parent, and State Board of Education member, Kristin is committed to supporting student success through high-quality, research-based education. Kristin values collaboration and believes strong public schools are built through meaningful partnerships with families, educators, and communities. She works to ensure community voices help shape decisions that support Nebraska's students.
KRISTIN CHRISTENSEN
OUR
FOUNDER
Ann is a Lincoln, Nebraska, native and a proud graduate of Lincoln Public Schools and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, from which she holds a BA in Political Science and French and an MS in Agricultural Economics. She spent five years in Washington, D.C., working at the U.S. Senate, the White House, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
In 2016, Ann founded Stand For Schools in order to preserve and strengthen Nebraska’s public schools so that future generations of Nebraskans can enjoy the opportunities she received.
After serving as the Executive Director of Stand For Schools for six years, Ann returned to D.C., where she works with the U.S. Department of Energy.
ANN HUNTER-PIRTLE
Founder